The 204-unit Clarion Hotel and Conference Center, located at Route 70 and I-295 just six miles from Philadelphia and 45 minutes from Atlantic City, will hold an invitation-only grand opening on Thursday, Sept. 19 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The grand opening will feature a champagne reception, comedy showcase, hors d`oeuvres, music, and a grand prize drawing

The Clarion Hotel and Conference Center, which formerly operated as a Sheraton Four Points Hotel, is owned and operated by Growth Properties, Inc. of Philadelphia, Pa.

“The Clarion Hotel & Conference Center offers a suburban setting with urban accessibility and a convenient location for corporate and leisure travelers in the Mid Atlantic States,” said June Seminario, the hotel`s general manager.

The Clarion Hotel and Conference Center features spacious 202 guestrooms and two presidential suites with one king and two double-size beds. Each guestroom includes a remote-control cable television with pay for view movies, computer data port, coffee maker, two telephones with voice mail, iron, ironing board and hairdryer. Many guestrooms feature a microwave and refrigerator. Each suite features a separate bedroom with a king size bed and Serta® Sleeper mattress, large parlor, sofa bed, microwave and refrigerator. Non-smoking rooms and rooms for individuals with disabilities also are available. The hotel`s Executive Club Level features newly renovated guestrooms, upgraded amenities and a key access wing.

A $5 million renovation of the four-story Clarion Hotel & Conference Center, redesigned the hotel`s Elephant Castle Pub & Restaurant in addition to renovating all public space with new carpeting, wall vinyl, lighting and fixtures and upgrading some guestrooms with new bedspreads and Serta® Sleeper mattresses. All guestrooms received new 25-inch remote control TV`s.

The Elephant Castle Pub & Restaurant features American pub fare for breakfast, lunch, dinner and room service. The Pub has an oversized mahogany bar and an attractive setting for a game of billiards or darts. Other hotel features include a large outdoor pool, courtyard, lighted outdoor tennis courts, business center with computer with internet access, printer, copier and fax, fitness center with cardio-vascular equipment, on-site car rental and laundry facilities and free parking.

The hotel also features 20,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space which can be divided into two large ballrooms with elegant crystal chandeliers or 16 meeting rooms, in total accommodating up to 1,000 individuals or individually handling groups from 16 to 1000 people. On-site audio-visual equipment is available.

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, American Automobile Association members, business travelers, government and military personnel and groups.

The Clarion Hotel & Conference Center is conveniently located near exit 4 of the New Jersey Turnpike. The hotel is 13 miles from Philadelphia International Airport and 6 miles from Philadelphia`s historic district. Also nearby are Sesame Place, Six Flags, Camden Aquarium, Atlantic City, USS New Jersey, McGuire Air Force Base and Fort Dix. The hotel is 90 minutes from New York City.

The Clarion Hotel & Conference Center participates in Choice Privileges, Choice`s frequent-traveler program where guests can earn points toward free stays and gift certificates when staying at U.S. Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Clarion, Quality and Sleep Inn brand hotels.

Members of American Airlines AAdvantage, Delta SkyMiles, Northwest Airlines WorldPerks, US Airways Dividend Miles and United Mileage Plus can receive airline miles when staying at any Choice brand hotel in the U.S. and Caribbean.

Clarion brand hotels are franchised by Choice Hotels International (NYSE: CHH), one of the world`s largest lodging franchisors. There currently are 163 Clarion brand hotels open and 26 under development worldwide, representing 27,133 rooms.

For reservations at any Clarion brand hotel worldwide, contact Choice Hotels` toll-free reservation service at (800)-4CHOICE or visit www.choicehotels.com on the Internet. Rooms at the Clarion Hotel & Conference Center can also be booked by contacting the hotel directly at (856) 428-2300 or at www.clarionofcherryhill.com.

Choice Hotels International franchises more than 5,000 hotels under the Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Clarion, Quality, Sleep Inn, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn and MainStay Suites brands in 47 countries. For more information on Choice, visit the company`s Internet site at www.choicehotels.com.

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