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LodgeNet To Bring Internet Laptop Connectivity to 120 Wingate Inn(R) Hotels
 
SIOUX FALLS, S.D., Jan. 14, 1999 -  LodgeNet Entertainment Corporation (Nasdaq: LNET) and Wingate Inns International, Inc. today announced the signing of an agreement to exclusively deploy LodgeNet's interactive guestroom system into the fast-growing hotel chain. Every Wingate Inn hotel will offer its guests the full line of LodgeNet's interactive guestroom services, featuring, for the first time, its Internet managed connectivity solution -- On Line by LodgeNet(SM). Wingate Inns International, Inc., a subsidiary of Cendant Corporation (NYSE: CD), plans to have approximately 11,800 hotel rooms in 120 franchised locations in operation nationwide by the end of this year.

"We chose LodgeNet as our exclusive in-room services provider because of its ability to provide our guests with the full spectrum of Internet services, particularly high speed Internet access, as well as an outstanding on-demand movie and video game system that functions on our standard 25-inch televisions, and national 24-hour service and support," said John Paul Nichols, president and CEO of Wingate Inns International, Inc.

"Our franchisees were enthusiastically supportive of establishing high speed Internet access as a brand standard for Wingate Inn hotels."

"We're proud to say that this agreement represents the first ever hotel chain-wide deployment of an Internet managed connectivity solution for our industry," said Scott C. Petersen, LodgeNet president and CEO. "On Line by LodgeNet(SM) is what business and leisure travelers everywhere have been waiting for, an extremely simple "plug and play" laptop Internet connection that they can access from their guest room or the hotel's meeting rooms. This clearly reinforces Wingate Inns' position as the technology leader for the business traveler."

On Line by LodgeNet(SM) is quick and easy to use. A guest simply plugs his or her computer into the room's Ethernet-based Internet jack and launches the laptop's resident browser application. Access is instantaneous, at speeds up to 50 times faster than traditional phone modems, with no software installation or re-configuration required. On Line by LodgeNet(SM) uses proprietary technology acquired in LodgeNet's purchase of The Connect Group in October of 1998.

"Providing high speed Internet access for our hotels guests is just the next step in keeping Wingate Inn hotels ahead of the competition in terms of advanced technological amenities," explains Nichols. "When business or leisure travelers check into hotels today, they expect the same advanced technology that's available to them at home or in the office. These travelers expect to have the ability to access their email or favorite website quickly and directly from their guestrooms, and LodgeNet's system enables guests to connect to the Internet at speeds up to 50 times faster than conventional data ports."

Nichols continues, "In addition to offering a value-added service to guests, high-speed Internet access provides our franchisees with a competitive advantage over other hotels. This technology allows Wingate Inn general managers to market their properties as the best for business travelers, as well as business meetings, since the high-speed Internet access will also be available in their boardroom and meeting rooms. On Line by LodgeNet(SM) allows business travelers to connect to their own virtual private networks or the Internet from our meeting rooms and boardrooms without reconfiguring their computers. For today's technology-driven business traveler, Wingate Inns will be an even greater value."

Wingate Inns International, Inc. is an all-new construction hotel chain that was launched in April 1995. Its focused service, upper mid-market hotels feature sophisticated, consumer-based technology and comfortable, oversized rooms that were created in response to business travelers' needs. At the end of 1998, there were 55 Wingate Inn hotels open throughout the nation. The chain is presently averaging one new hotel opening per week and should have 120 open by the end of 1999. Reservations can be made by calling Wingate Inns' toll-free reservation center at 800-228-1000. For more information on Wingate Inn hotels, visit the company's website at http:/www.wingateinns.com Wingate Inns International, Inc. is a subsidiary of Cendant Corporation.

LodgeNet Entertainment Corporation ( http:/www.lodgenet.com ) is a specialized communications company that serves more than 4,500 lodging properties in the United States and selected international markets. Through its proprietary b-LAN(R) technology, LodgeNet delivers guest pay services including on-demand movies, in-room video games, Internet access and other interactive applications, as well as digital-quality PRIMESTAR by LodgeNet free-to-guest programming. LodgeNet is listed on Nasdaq and trades under the symbol LNET.

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Contact:
Ann Parker, 
Director of Corporate Communications of LodgeNet Entertainment Corporation,
605-988-1000, 
or Michael J. LaCosta, 
Public Relations Manager 
of Wingate Inns International, Inc., 973-496-8539/
 http:/www.wingateinns.com
 http:/www.lodgenet.com
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Also See: Lodgenet Now Delivering Interactive Entertainment to over 700,000 Hotel Rooms / Jan 1999  
Lodgenet Acquires Connect Group / June 1998

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