ROCKVILLE, Md., May 14, 2013 -- Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world's largest lodging franchisors, announced robust system growth with the addition of 88 newly opened franchised properties during the first quarter of 2013. Additionally, the company has executed a total of 83 new domestic contracts within the first quarter of 2013, a 30-percent increase over the same period of the prior year.

Ascend Hotel Collection, a membership program comprised of exquisite independent hotels, continued its exceptional growth into the first quarter of 2013, with 28 new membership agreements signed compared to three membership agreements during the same time last year. Much of this growth is a direct result of Choice Hotels International's strategic marketing alliance with timeshare company Bluegreen Vacations, a relationship which enables the company to further extend the Ascend Hotel Collection portfolio into even more outstanding resort destinations.

During the first three months of 2013, openings include hotels in 28 U.S. states and 11 countries, adding more than 6,500 guestrooms to the company's existing  rooms which stand at more than half a million. The Choice Hotels portfolio of franchised hotels offers business and leisure travelers a full spectrum from premium economy to upscale hotels and resorts.

"We are especially pleased by the positive reception we've seen to our upscale brands, as well as the significant traction we're gaining in major urban markets," said David Pepper, senior vice president of global development for Choice Hotels International. "Across all brands, the development environment has improved for new construction, so much so that we believe 2013 is on track to be considerably stronger than last year for franchise development."

Select properties that opened during this year's first quarter include:

Arroyo Pinion Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection – Sedona, Arizona
The stunning Red Rocks of Sedona, Arizona have colorful names like 'Thunder Mountain,' 'Lizard Head,' and 'Coffeepot,' and right across the street from these landmarks you will find the Arroyo Pinion Hotel. Guests of Arroyo Pinion, part of the Ascend Hotel Collection, will love its proximity to nature, including the world-renowned Red Rock Crossing and scenic Oak Creek Canyon, as well as the easy access to shopping in Uptown Sedona, with its impressive array of art galleries. Local eateries range from casual chic to five-star elegance and those who wish to explore Sedona's mystical vortexes will have plenty of local guides to lend a hand. Guests can also enjoy the spirit of relaxation with in-room whirlpool tubs and patios available in many rooms. Free continental breakfast and a free daily newspaper make the Arroyo Pinion a perfect spot for business and leisure travelers.

Hotel Cromwell, a Clarion Collection hotel – Stevenage, Great Britain, UK
History pairs with modern luxury at the stately Hotel Cromwell, part of the Clarion Collection portfolio of hotels, located in Stevenage, Great Britain. Converted from a farmhouse which was once home to John Thurloe, secretary to Oliver Cromwell, guests can sample the local character at the nearby Hatfield House and the splendid Knebworth House. Families will particularly enjoy the neighboring Harry Potter World, Woburn Safari Park, Whipsnade Zoo, and Paradise Wildlife Park. A visit to London is just minutes away via rail or the A1. Dining options include the elegant Oliver's Restaurant and its excellent wine list, as well as the hotel's tavern and lounge. Business and leisure travelers alike will appreciate the flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, trouser press, and tea & coffee making facilities available in each and every room.

Comfort Inn Midtown West/Manhattan – New York, NY
The brand new Comfort Inn Midtown West, located in Hell's Kitchen in Manhattan has easy access to everything New York City has to offer. Minutes away from marquee attractions including Times Square, Broadway and the Empire State Building, the hotel also is close to Central Park, 5th Avenue shopping and Rockefeller Center. Welcoming interior corridors transport you conveniently and safely to the spacious rooms. Guests – whether they're in the Big Apple for business or pleasure – will appreciate the free wireless high-speed Internet access, free in-room coffee, and a free hot and delicious breakfast featuring eggs, meat, yogurt, fresh fruit, cereal and more, including your choice of hot waffle flavors.

Clintwood Sleep Inn & Suites – Clintwood, Virginia
Travelers will rest well amidst the trees and rolling hills of southwestern Virginia at The Sleep Inn & Suites® hotel in Clintwood, Virginia. This simply stylish Designed to Dream® hotel features soft lighting and soothing, nature-oriented artwork, as well as the Sleep Inn brand's signature showers, plush bedding, large workspaces with ergonomic chairs and high-definition flat-screen televisions with cable programming. Local history is close at hand with the Ralph Stanley Museum and Dr. Phipps Family Museum located just up the road. Guests will re-energize with a workout in the on-site exercise room and keep productive at the hotel's business center.

Choice Hotels also introduced the following hotels during the quarter:

DOMESTIC

Ascend Hotel Collection

Clarion Inn

Comfort Inn & Suites

Econo Lodge

Quality Inn & Suites

Rodeway Inn

Sleep Inn

Suburban Extended Stay

INTERNATIONAL

Ascend Hotel Collection

Clarion Inn

Comfort Inn & Suites

Econo Lodge

Quality Inn & Suites

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain matters discussed in this press release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Generally, our use of words such as "expect," "estimate," "believe," "anticipate," "will," "forecast," "plan"," project," "assume" or similar words of futurity identify such forward-looking statements.  These forward-looking statements are based on management's current beliefs, assumptions and expectations regarding future events, which in turn are based on information currently available to management.  Such statements may relate to projections of the company's revenue, earnings and other financial and operational measures, company debt levels, ability to repay outstanding indebtedness, payment of dividends, and future operations, among other matters.   We caution you not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements do not guarantee future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors.

Several factors could cause actual results, performance or achievements of the company to differ materially from those expressed in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements.  Such risks include, but are not limited to, changes to general, domestic and foreign economic conditions;  operating risks common in the lodging and franchising industries; changes to the desirability of our brands as viewed by hotel operators and customers; changes to the terms or termination of our contracts with franchisees; our ability to keep pace with improvements in technology utilized for reservations systems and other operating systems; fluctuations in the supply and demand for hotels rooms; and our ability to manage effectively our indebtedness.  These and other risk factors are discussed in detail in the Risk Factors section of the company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 28, 2013 and our quarterly reports filed on Form 10-Q.  We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Choice Hotels
Choice Hotels International, Inc. franchises over 6,200 hotels, representing more than 500,000 rooms, in the United States and more than 30 other countries and territories.  As of March 31, 2013, 395 hotels, representing more than 30,000 rooms, were under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in the United States.  Additionally, 81 hotels, representing approximately 7,000 rooms, were under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in more than 20 other countries and territories.  The company's Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn brands, as well as its Ascend Hotel Collection membership program, serve guests worldwide.

SkyTouch Technology is an initiative of Choice Hotels International, Inc. that develops and markets cloud-based technology products to help industry-wide hoteliers improve their efficiency and profitability.

Additional corporate information may be found on the Choice Hotels International, Inc. website, which may be accessed at www.choicehotels.com.

Choice Hotels, Choice Hotels International, Choice Privileges, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn and Ascend Hotel Collection are proprietary trademarks and service marks of Choice Hotels International.
 
© 2013 Choice Hotels International, Inc.  All rights reserved.