SILVER SPRING, Md., April 1 /As families across the United States start making their summer travel plans, one thing is clear. Millions of traveling Americans are looking for a clean, comfortable room at a great rate. Enter Econo Lodge.

The Econo Lodge brand has teamed up with the most well-known household cleaning brand in the country, Mr. Clean(R), to let consumers know that cleanliness is top of mind for all 700 of its hotels across the U.S.

As part of the initiative with Procter & Gamble and its Mr. Clean brand, Econo Lodge has introduced a housekeepers certification program.

Through the program, a hotel industry first, housekeeping staff at Econo Lodge hotels are participating in a new training program to become officially certified by Mr. Clean.

"Our research told us that the most important thing to guests of economy brand hotels is a clean, comfortable room," said Tim Shuy, brand manager and vice president of Econo Lodge. "Teaming up with Mr. Clean is a great way to let travelers know that we are serious about clean at Econo Lodge. We want to be known as the cleanest hotel chain in America."

Shuy expects that all Econo Lodge hotels will have completed the housekeeping certification program by June 1.

To increase consumer awareness of the campaign, Econo Lodge hotels are being featured in ads with Mr. Clean offering discounts for both the hotel and the cleaning product.

With more than 700 hotels nationwide, Econo Lodge offers travelers a clean, affordable room at stops along the interstate, near city-centers and at popular vacation destinations.

At all Econo Lodge hotels kids 18 and under stay free in their parents or grandparents room. Econo Lodge hotels also offer special rooms for seniors.

The Econo Lodge Senior Room includes a coffee maker, large-button television remote control and telephone, brighter lighting, alarm clock with oversized number display and flashing alarm for hearing impaired guests, lever handles on doors and faucets, grab bars in showers and bath and a hand-held shower or shower massage.

For reservations at Econo Lodge call 1-800- 55- ECONO or visit www.econolodge.com.

Econo Lodge is one of seven brands franchised by Choice Hotels International CHH. Choice franchises more than 4,000 hotels open and under development in 36 countries under the brand names Comfort, Quality, Clarion, Sleep Inn, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn and MainStay Suites.

Comfort, Quality, Clarion, Sleep Inn, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn and MainStay Suites are registered trademarks and service marks of Choice Hotels International.

Allie Laban-Baker
301-592-5032
Choice