The 193-room resort-style Clarion Hotel San Jose Airport, located at 1355 N. 4th St. just one mile east of San Jose International Airport and two miles from downtown San Jose and the convention center, is now open. The hotel, formerly operated as the Park Plaza, is owned by Delta Hotel Group.

Recently, Clarion, a brand of full-service hotels and resorts franchised by Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH), was named the top ranked midscale hotel brand with food and beverage services in the Market Metrix Hospitality Index (MMHI) for the first quarter of 2004. Clarion ranked first in customer satisfaction in its 9-member comparison group.

“The Clarion Hotel San Jose Airport is a wonderful addition to the Clarion Hotel line,” said Alexandra Jaritz, senior director, brand strategy and corporate development for Choice Hotels. “Room amenities and hotel features make this hotel a natural fit for this outstanding brand of full service hotels.”

The hotel recently spent over $12 million to upgrade the hotel. Features of the Clarion Hotel San Jose Airport include extensive grounds, a tropical courtyard, a rose garden, putting green, outdoor pool, hot tub, an exquisite lobby, Island Grill Restaurant serving steak and seafood with an “Island Twist” and an exhibition kitchen and clay oven and Bamboo Lounge with live entertainment. Room service is available. The hotel also has a fitness room with state-of-the-art equipment and a complimentary business center.

The hotel has a 2,500 square foot ballroom that opens out to a courtyard and accommodates a group of up to 200 individuals. The hotel has six meeting rooms that include a Lutron Lighting System, Bose Sound system, Wireless Microphones, one-touch screens and wireless and direct T1 Internet connectivity. An executive boardroom accommodates up to 12.

The Clarion Hotel San Jose Airport has rooms and suites with one king and two queen or two double beds with an extra feather pillow. Each room features free T-1 high-speed Internet access, 25-inch cable TV, in-room movies, HBO, in-room coffee maker, clock radio, hair dryer, iron, ironing board, large work desk and two telephones. In addition, each suite has a refrigerator, bathrobe and two-line speaker phone.

Room rates range from $69 to $149. All rates include a free deluxe continental breakfast of fruit salad, yogurt, granola, pastries, bagels, muffins, toast, fruit, juice and coffee, tea or milk.

Discounts are available when booked in advance on a space-available basis for seniors, American Automobile Association members, business travelers, government and military personnel and groups. Children, ages 18 and under, stay for free when accompanied by an adult.

Non-smoking rooms and rooms for individuals with disabilities are available.

The Clarion Hotel San Jose Airport is located one mile east of the San Jose International Airport and two miles from downtown San Jose and the convention center. The hotel is 150 yards from the Light Rail transit system and ? mile from highways 101 and 880.

The Clarion Hotel San Jose Airport participates in Choice Privileges, Choice Hotels’ rewards program where guests can earn points toward free stays, airline miles/credits or gift certificates when staying at U.S. Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion and MainStay Suites brand hotels. Guests can receive airline miles/credits from participating airlines when staying at any Choice brand hotel.

Until August 29, visitors to www.choicehotels.com may enter the “Wake Up a Winner” sweepstakes. Grand Prizes include trips for two to Athens, Greece, as well as Rome and London, complete with airfare, hotel accommodations and $10,000 in spending money. Additional Grand Prize trips for two to National Park sites throughout the U.S., including airfare, hotel accommodations and $5,000 in spending money, will also be awarded. “Wake Up a Winner” Scratch and Win cards will be distributed at domestic Choice brand hotels while supplies last.

For reservations at any Clarion brand hotel worldwide, contact Choice Hotel’s toll-free reservation service at (800)-4CHOICE or visit www.choicehotels.com. Rooms at the Clarion Hotel San Jose Airport can be booked by contacting the hotel directly at (408) 453-5340.
——-