According to Mike Leven, president and CEO of U.S. Franchise Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: USFS), franchisor of the Best Inns & Suites brand, 10 percent of guestrooms or up to 10 health-conscious rooms at each Best hotel are currently being installed, with all hotels in the system to be completed by mid-summer.  Each EverGreen� guestroom contains two EverGreen� Aire cleaners, an EverGreen� filtered drinking system and an EverGreen� filtered shower system with massage head.  Each hotel also has an EverGreen� water system in the breakfast area. 

�We want to offer a fresh, new alternative to enhance the travel experience for the 52 million Americans who suffer from allergies or asthma,� said Leven.  �With our EverGreen� rooms, guests can enjoy the benefits of freshly filtered air and bottle-quality water for drinking and bathing.�  EverGreen�s� air purification system is designed to remove odors, airborne allergens, dust and other irritants, while the water and shower filters eliminate chlorine, sulfur, iron and other contaminants often found in well and municipal water. 

Commented David Rothschild, general manager of the Lake Charles, La. Best Suites, one of the EverGreen� pilot properties, �Guests like the EverGreen� rooms and they�ve been heavy sellers� we get many requests for them.� 

The health-conscious rooms are being installed by Wilmington, N.C.-based EverGreen Rooms by Hartford, Inc., which has been manufacturing, selling and servicing its air and water purification systems to the lodging industry since 1992.  According to James Felds, president, �We�re delighted to team with Best Inns & Suites, which is perfectly positioned to attract health-conscious travelers looking for extra value and comfort as well.�  EverGreen Rooms by Hartford, Inc., formerly The Hartford Air & Water Authority, Inc., sells and services some 3,500 EverGreen� rooms in 40 states. 

As of March 31, 2000, there were 153 Best Inns & Suites open or under construction nationwide.