Red Roof Inns to Make Its Manhattan Debut; Economy Brand Will Open First New York City Property in February 2000

Business Wire, Oct 8, 1999

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 8, 1999--

As part of its strategy to achieve greater brand distribution in the nation's major metropolitan markets, Red Roof Inns will open its first Manhattan property in February 2000.

Located on 32nd Street, just west of Fifth Avenue and proximate to Manhattan's fashion district, the former office building is undergoing extensive renovation and refurbishment prior to its conversion to a 172-room Red Roof Inn. The 17-story property is owned by Apple Core Hotels.

Acquired last August by Accor S.A., the third-largest hospitality company in the world, Red Roof Inns is one of three proprietary brands operated by Accor Economy Lodging and is a recognized leader in the economy lodging sector. With more than 320 properties representing over 37,000 rooms throughout 39 states and the District of Columbia, Red Roof Inns offers business and leisure travelers exceptional value, quality and convenience.

Despite its economy rate, the Red Roof Inn Manhattan will feature many amenities typically associated with more upscale lodging properties, including a penthouse floor of larger rooms, an exercise room, a business center complete with computing, copying and fax facilities, a fifth floor of meeting space for corporate functions, a glass-enclosed rooftop bar offering attractive views of the city, and a mezzanine lounge overlooking the lobby. Each guest room will be well-appointed with voice mail and data ports, personal safes, coffee makers, hairdryers, and irons and ironing boards; cable television and pay-per-view movies will also be standard guest room features. Guests also will enjoy the 667-square-foot breakfast room where continental breakfast will be served daily.

The opening of the Red Roof Inn Manhattan substantiates parent-company Accor's presence in the city. With the company's upscale Novotel brand already well-established in New York, and the company's upscale Sofitel brand nearing its New York opening, the debut of Red Roof marks the first Accor economy product to expand in the Big Apple.

"As a mecca for business and leisure travelers alike, New York City is unquestionably the most important and prestigious lodging market in the country and among the most important in the world," said Georges Le Mener, president and chief executive officer of Accor Economy Lodging. "We are thrilled to introduce the Red Roof brand in Manhattan, as we believe that especially in New York, our provision of superior customer service and quality accommodations at a value will be in extremely high demand."

About Accor Economy Lodging

Accor Economy Lodging, comprised of Red Roof Inns, Motel 6 and Studio 6, is the largest owner and operator of lodging properties in the U.S. economy sector, and is the ninth-largest U.S. hotel company overall, with 1,112 properties representing more than 122,000 rooms located throughout the 48 contiguous states. In addition, Accor Economy Lodging comprises in aggregate more than 10% of the entire economy lodging sector. Its parent company, Paris-based Accor S.A., is currently the third-largest hospitality company in the world, with a portfolio comprised of 3,084 lodging properties representing more than 340,000 rooms.