The media is invited to attend a carnival style grand opening ceremony for a new Comfort Suites hotel on Thursday, Oct. 10 from 5 - 8 p.m. at 8039 East 33rd Street South (33rd and Memorial). A ribbon cutting, tours of the hotel, games, prizes, food and beverages will be included in the festivities. There also will be a dunk tank where hotel owners will sit in the hot seat for a chance to be dunked and all proceeds collected will be donated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Chamber of Commerce members, officials from the mayor`s office and local business leaders are expected to attend.

The new hotel, owned and operated by Frontier Hospitality LLC, of Tulsa, Okla., features 63 suites with king- or queen-size beds. All suites are equipped with a microwave, refrigerator, coffeemaker, pullout sofabed, remote-control cable television, cordless telephone, free high-speed Internet access, iron, ironing board and hairdryer. Some suites feature a whirlpool tub. Handicapped rooms also are available.

The Comfort Suites hotel is a 100 percent non-smoking environment. Features of the hotel include a heated indoor pool and spa; meeting room that can accommodate up to 70 people; exercise facility equipped with a treadmill, stair-stepper and stationary bike; gift shop; breakfast area that seats up to 40 people; and guest laundry services.

Rates begin at $69.95 USD and include a free deluxe breakfast bar, complimentary USA TODAY newspaper and 100 percent guest satisfaction guarantee.

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

The Comfort Suites hotel is located minutes from downtown Tulsa and close to many restaurants and shops. Bell`s Amusement Park, Tulsa Convention Center, Tulsa Zoo and Tulsa International Airport are convenient to the hotel.

The Comfort Suites hotel participates in Choice`s Choice Privileges frequent-traveler program where guests can earn points toward free stays, vacations and gifts when staying at U.S. Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Clarion and Sleep Inn brand hotels.

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.

Travelers can enter Choice`s Get Together Sweepstakes to win a trip for 10 for four nights at any Choice brand hotel within the continental U.S. and $500 USD in spending money per person. The sweepstakes runs through Jan. 31, 2003. Travelers can enter at www.choicehotels.com. No purchase is necessary to enter.

Comfort Suites hotels are franchised by Choice Hotels International (NYSE: CHH). There currently are 2,065 Comfort brand hotels open and 243 under development worldwide, representing 178,551 rooms.

For reservations at any Comfort Suites hotel worldwide, contact Comfort Suites toll-free reservation service at (800)-4CHOICE or visit www.comfortsuites.com on the Internet. Rooms at the Comfort Suites hotel also can be booked by contacting the hotel directly at (918) 622-6300.
Choice Hotels International is one of the world`s largest lodging franchisors, marketing more than 5,000 hotels open or under development in 46 countries under the Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Clarion, Sleep Inn, Econo Lodge, MainStay Suites and Rodeway Inn brand names. For more information on Choice Hotels, visit the company`s web site at www.choicehotels.com.

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