The 61-unit Comfort Inn & Suites hotel, located at 445 South Gulfview Blvd. directly across the street from the Gulf of Mexico and Clearwater Beach, is now open.

The Comfort Inn & Suites hotel, formerly operated as the Leisure Inn & Suites, is owned by John Conti and Agostino DiGiovanni.

A recent $1.2 million renovation of the hotel added new carpeting and flooring in the lobby, public areas and guestrooms. Guestrooms were also redecorated with new furniture, bedspreads and drapes and the pool was refurbished.

The Comfort Inn & Suites features 61 guestrooms and suites with balconies. Each room has one king or two queen-size beds. Suites have one king or two full-size beds. Each room and suite features a 27-inch cable TV with HBO and a two-line telephone with data port, coffee maker, iron, ironing board, hair dryer and in-room safe. Suites also have a microwave oven, refrigerator, sofa bed and wet bar. Non-smoking rooms and rooms for individuals with disabilities are also available.

Hotel features include an oversized heated outdoor pool, sun deck, lighted outdoor parking and guest laundry.

The Comfort Inn & Suites hotel offers a free deluxe continental breakfast with an assortment of muffins, cereal, donuts, Danish pastry, bagels, breads, yogurt, assorted juices, coffee and tea served daily in the lobby from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.

The Comfort Inn & Suites is within walking distance of restaurants and shopping. Fishing, boating, swimming, parasailing and cruises are also within walking distance. The hotel is 26 miles from the Florida Aquarium and the Ice Palace, 35 miles from Adventure Island and Busch Gardens, 72 miles from Disney World and 75 miles from Universal Studios and Sea World. The hotel is 24 miles from downtown Tampa and 30 miles from downtown St. Petersburg. Tampa International Airport is 21 miles from the hotel.

Room rates begin at $69. Guests receive a complimentary copy of USA TODAY and free local phone calls.

Discounts are available for senior citizens, business travelers, members of the American Automobile Association, government and military personnel and groups. Children age 18 and under stay free in their parents` or grandparents` room.

Members of Choice Privileges, Choice`s frequent-traveler program, qualify for points toward free stays and gift certificates when staying at U.S. Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn and Clarion hotels. Guests may also choose to earn airline miles with participating airlines (American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Northwest Airlines, US Airways and United Airlines when staying at Choice brand hotels in the U.S. and Caribbean.)

For reservations at the Comfort Inn & Suites hotel, contact Choice`s toll-free reservations service at 1-800-4CHOICE, or visit www.choicehotels.com on the internet. Reservations may also be made by contacting the hotel directly at (727) 441-4902.

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

——-