LENEXA, Kan. - The Comfort Inn hotel here at 12601 West 96th Terrace off U.S. Interstate 35 recently opened after converting from a Howard Johnson Express Inn.

Owned and operated by Lenexa Hotels Inc. of Lenexa, Kan., the hotel underwent $50,000 in renovations including the installment of microwaves, hairdryers, irons and ironing boards to several hotel rooms.

Room amenities include one king- or two queen-size beds, 25-inch remote-control television, microwave, refrigerator, coffee maker, hairdryer, iron, ironing board and computer data port. Some rooms also feature a Jacuzzi tub and sofabed. Handicapped and non-smoking rooms are available.

The three-story Comfort Inn hotel features a heated indoor pool and spa; meeting area that can accommodate up to 75 individuals; and breakfast area that can seat up to 35 individuals.

Rates begin at $69.95 and include daily deluxe continental breakfasts, USA TODAY newspapers and free local telephone calls.

All Comfort Inn hotels offer a 100 percent guest satisfaction guarantee.

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

The Comfort Inn hotel is located approximately 30 miles south of Kansas City International Airport. Nearby attractions include Worlds of Fun, Mid Atlantic Sports Complex, Great Mall, Arrowhead Stadium and Oak Park Mall.

Members of American Airlines AAdvantage, Delta SkyMiles, Northwest Airlines WorldPerks and US Airways Dividend Miles will receive airline miles when staying at any Choice brand hotel.

Comfort Inn hotels are franchised by Choice Hotels International (NYSE: CHH), the world`s second-largest lodging franchisor. There currently are 1,720 Comfort Inn hotels open and 288 under development worldwide, representing 148,129 rooms.

For reservations at any Comfort Inn hotel worldwide, contact Comfort`s toll-free reservation service at (800)-4CHOICE or visit www.comfortinn.com on the Internet. Rooms at the Comfort Inn hotel also can be booked by contacting the hotel directly at (913) 438-6969.

Choice franchises more than 5,000 hotels under the Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Clarion, Sleep Inn, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn and MainStay Suites brands in 46 countries. For more information on Choice, visit the company`s Internet site at www.choicehotels.com.

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