SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - On January 14, 2004, John Q. Hammons Hotels, Inc. JQH will receive the Murray Award from the Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality (SATH). Springfield, Mo.-based John Q. Hammons Hotels is the nation's leading independent builder, developer, owner and manager of upscale full-service hotels, resorts and suites.

Honored for its outstanding service to the disabled community, John Q. Hammons Hotels will be presented with the award during a ceremony at the Society's 8th World Congress to be held at the Airport Hilton in Miami. Michele Tunis, brand manager for John Q. Hammons Hotels, will accept the award on the company's behalf.

The initiative John Q. Hammons Hotels is being recognized for is placing grab bars in every bath and shower at all company properties, providing safety and easier access for guests. In addition, the company has installed disability-friendly assistance bars in bathrooms of approximately 10 guest rooms at each property nationwide, representing an estimated 700 rooms total. The $750,000 investment made by the company for the installation project started three years ago, beginning with updates to its existing properties and it continues with the construction of its new hotels.

Award Information - According to SATH Director of Corporate Affairs Stephen Mydanick, the Murray Award is the highest honor the organization can bestow on a person or company for service to the disabled community that ventures above and beyond normal ranges. The Murray Award is not an annual or mandatory honor and it is only given to select and outstanding recipients. "SATH hopes that awards like this one will educate and encourage others in the industry to 'catch the spirit' and tap the market [the disabled community]," Mydanick said.

"It truly is an honor to be recognized for an effort that comes so naturally to us - providing all business and leisure travelers with excellent service, high standards and first-class amenities," said Mr. Lou Weckstein, president of John Q. Hammons Hotels, Inc. "Receiving this prestigious award simply reinforces our commitment to providing our guests with an exceptional experience at any of our hotels."

About The Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality (SATH) - The Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality (SATH) is a nonprofit educational membership organization. The SATH mission is to raise awareness of the needs of all travelers with disabilities, remove physical and attitudinal barriers to free access, and expand travel opportunities in the United States and abroad. Members include travel professionals, consumers with disabilities and other individuals and corporations who support our mission. For more information, please visit .

About John Q. Hammons Hotels, Inc. - Publicly traded on the American Stock Exchange JQH, Springfield, Mo.-based John Q. Hammons Hotels is the nation's leading independent builder, developer, owner and manager of upscale, full-service hotels, resorts and suites, including: Embassy Suites Hotel, Renaissance, Marriott, Radisson, Residence Inn, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Holiday Inn and Courtyard by Marriott brands. With 58 hotels strategically located near demand generators, such as state capitals, universities, airports, corporate headquarters or office parks in secondary and tertiary markets, John Q. Hammons Hotels' properties are dominant in their markets. The company's focus is capitalizing on positive operating fundamentals in the upscale, full-service sector, converting existing hotels to franchise brands and selling mature assets, while reinvesting the proceeds and reducing debt. Over the course of his impressive career in the hotel business, Mr. Hammons has developed 148 hotels. For more information about John Q. Hammons Hotels, please visit the company's Web site at .

Melissa Conger
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John Q. Hammons