SAFFORD, Ariz. (May 15, 2002) - The Quality Inn & Suites, located at 420 E. Hwy. 70 in the Gila Valley and nestled among several mountain ranges, is now open. The hotel formerly operated as the Ramada Inn Spa Resort.

The 102-unit Quality Inn & Suites features 95 rooms and seven suites with either one king bed or two queen size beds. Each room features a 27-inch remote control cable television, VCR, telephone with data port and voice mail, refrigerator, spa tub, coffee maker, iron, ironing board and hairdryer. A microwave is available upon request. Some units have balconies. Two-room suites with two televisions are available.

Rooms for individuals with disabilities and non-smoking rooms are also available.

Hotel features include an indoor pool, outdoor hot tub, men`s and women`s saunas, patio, shuffleboard court, horseshoe pit, and exercise room with state-of-the-art Star Trec equipment. The hotel has a 7,500 square foot meeting room with audio visual equipment which accommodates groups of up to 500. The Manor House Restaurant, the hotel`s on-site restaurant, offers a varied menu for breakfast, lunch, dinner and room service. The Rock`N Horse Sports Bar is also located on the premises.

The Quality Inn & Suites in Safford offers a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee and a free copy of USA Today.

Rates begin at $75. Children, ages 18 and under, stay free when accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Discounts are available when booked in advance on a space-available basis for seniors, business travelers, American Automobile Association members, government and military personnel and groups.

Members of Choice`s Choice Privileges frequent-traveler program qualify for points toward free stays and gift certificates when staying at any U.S. Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Clarion and Sleep Inn hotels. Guests of Choice brand hotels may also choose to earn airline miles with participating airlines.

The Quality Inn & Suites in Safford is owned and operated by Dean and Mary Lou Krieg.

The hotel is within walking distance of the Swings and Things Sports Park and two miles from Discovery Park. Also nearby are Mineral Hot Baths (5 miles), Mt. Graham (11 miles), Hot Wells Dunes (7 miles), the Gila Box Riparian Area (5 miles), Aravaipa Canyon (20 miles) and Bonita Creek (7 miles). Golfing, horseback riding, hiking and biking are nearby.

The Quality Inn & Suites at Safford is franchised by Choice Hotels International (NYSE: CHH), one of the world`s largest lodging franchisors. There are currently 799 Quality brand hotels open and 178 under development worldwide.

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