Silver Spring, MD (September 8, 2000) - Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH) continues its expansion in Italy with three new properties in Milan and Verona, bringing the total number of Comfort, Quality and Clarion brand hotels in the country to 20. Choice has aggressive expansion plans to develop 12 additional properties in key cities such as Bologna, Parma, Florence and Rome, as well as major resort locations, during 2000/2001.

In Verona, the modern 126-bedroom Quality Hotel Saccardi becomes Choice`s second property in this historic city. Hotel amenities include sauna, indoor and outdoor swimming pool, health spa, restaurant and meeting rooms for up to 500 people. The guestrooms offer modem, mini-bar, remote controlled color television with satellite and pay channels and a safety box. The hotel is convenient to the international airport at Catullo and the Venice-Milan motorway. Room rates begin at $120.

In Milan, Choice welcomes two properties, the 57-room Comfort Hotel & Suites Pasteur and the 80-room Comfort Hotel Amadeus. The Comfort Hotel & Suites Pasteur is located in the city`s main business areas, close to the Centrale railway station and the underground. Each guestroom offers direct-dial telephone, remote controlled color television with satellite channels, mini-bar and hair dryer. The hotel features room service and private parking. Room rates begin at $85.

Also situated close to Centrale station, the Comfort Hotel Amadeus offers direct dial phone, remote controlled color television,hair dryer, desk, and a balcony in each guestroom. Rates begin at $85.

Choice Hotels is Europe`s third largest hotel group, with over 500 Quality, Comfort, Sleep and Clarion brand hotels open and under development in 20 countries: Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Northern Ireland, Portugal, Russia, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland and Wales, Norway, Sweden, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Lebanon.

Choice Hotels International is the second-largest hotel franchisor in the world with more than 5,000 hotels open and under development in 39 countries. Its Comfort, Quality, Clarion and Sleep brand hotels are franchised worldwide. Its Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn and MainStay Suites brand hotels are franchised in the United States and Canada only. For more information on Choice, visit the company`s Internet site at www.choicehotels.com.

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