Ascend Collection from Choice Adds Three New Properties in October 2011 in California, Michigan and Pennsylvania

The Ascend Collection membership program from Choice Hotels International announced today that three new properties came online this month. The hotels are located in leading destinations across the U.S.

"Membership in Ascend Collection is up 35 percent over the previous year," says Stacy Ragland, the program's vice president. "We're delighted to welcome these great new hotels, including the network's first in Michigan; Laguna Hills, California; and Pennsylvania's Laurel Highlands."

Ascend Collection includes historic, boutique or unique hotels in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean. Members are independently owned. At the same time, they leverage the power of the Choice Hotels global reservations and distribution systems. Additionally, the properties gain visibility before a network of more than 13 million Choice Privileges rewards members worldwide. They also acquire a presence on ChoiceHotels.com, one of the industry's most visited websites. The following hotels came online in October at AscendCollection.com.

Not far away are Laguna Beach and other gorgeous beaches. Fashionistas head to boutiques of nearby Newport Beach and Fashion Island, among other shopping hotspots. Additionally, The Hills Hotel boasts excellent proximity to fine restaurants, Disneyland, Mission Viejo OlympicCenter, Wild Rivers Waterpark and Festival of the Arts open-air gallery. Southern California's mountains, ocean and sunny skies make for exceptional year-round recreation, including golfing on many nearby courses, hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, sailing and surfing. Through Dec. 31, 2011, The Hills Hotel nightly rates are from $99.

For meetings, weddings and social gatherings, the hotel conference center is a light, airy space, with seven meeting rooms and the ability to accommodate up to 300 guests for banquets and 250 for conferences. Right next door, the Terrace Point Marina has 114 slips, a clubhouse, kitchen and picnic area. Guest can dock their boats and rent pontoons, kayaks and bikes here. Shoreline Inn is within walking distance to the Culinary Institute of Michigan, Frauenthal Theater, L.C. Walker Arena, Lakeshore Museum Center and Muskegon Museum of Art. Also nearby: the Michigan Adventure amusement park; Pere Marquette Lighthouse and numerous golf courses. Shoreline Inn's nightly rate start at $99.

The Laurel Highlands is home to rivers, lakes, state parks and Pennsylvania's highest mountain peaks. Visitors enjoy magnificent vistas and year-round recreation: hiking, mountain biking, fishing, whitewater rafting, skiing as well as top-notch golf courses. Not far from the hotel in Greensburg's vibrant downtown district, streets are lined with theaters, innovative eateries, specialty shops and galleries. Inn At Mountain View is minutes from Fort Ligonier; Idlewild Park, voted the No. 1 Kids' Park in the World by Amusement Today magazine; Arnold Palmer Regional Airport; and Westmoreland Museum of American Art, featuring works by Winslow Homer and Mary Cassatt. Also nearby: Seton Hill University and Saint Vincent College, home of Pittsburgh's pro football team's training camp. Rates are from $86 per night.

Earlier this year, the following Ascend Collection members came online: Virginian Suites, Arlington, Va., two miles from downtown Washington D.C; Ben Lomond Suites, Ogden, Utah; The Lane Hotel, Keene, N.H.; Zona Hotel & Suites Scottsdale, in Ariz.; and three Canadian properties, Hotel Royal William, Québec, and Château Moncton and Château Saint John, both in New Brunswick.

About Ascend Collection
The Ascend Collection membership programmade its debut in late 2008 and now has hotels open and under development throughout the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. The network appeals to the growing number of travelers who like to discover upscale and unique hotels with local flair when traveling for business or leisure. Member hotels include The GEM Hotels with three boutique hotels in New York City; Inn of Chicago, one-half block from The Magnificent Mile; The Lane Hotel, in scenic Keene, N.H.; and Inn on the Lake, just outside Halifax, N.S. For more information on this collection of Historic, Boutique and Unique and hotels, visit www.ascendcollection.com.

About Choice Hotels
Choice Hotels International, Inc. franchises more than 6,100 hotels, representing more than 490,000 rooms, in the United States and more than 30 other countries and territories. As of June 30, 2011, more than 450 hotels were under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in the United States, representing more than 37,000 rooms, and approximately 100 hotels, representing approximately 8,700 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 serve guests worldwide. In addition, via its Ascend Collection membership program, travelers in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean have upscale lodging options at historic, boutique and unique hotels.

Additional corporate information may be found on the Choice Hotels International, Inc. Web site, 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 Collection are proprietary trademarks and service marks of Choice Hotels International.