Cendant Corporation’s
Wingate Inn hotel chain has been ranked first in its class and the third
among all hotel brands in North America by J.D. Power and Associates,
based on the firm’s annual consumer satisfaction study. With 138 hotels currently open and 15 more properties due to open by the
first quarter of next year, the Wingate Inn brand was ranked the highest
in the midscale, limited-service segment. The brand also achieved the
third- highest overall score across all segments, ranking higher than many
of the most recognized names in the hotel industry.

In announcing the results of its 2004 North America Hotel Guest
Satisfaction Index Study(SM) last week, J.D. Power and Associates said the
Wingate Inn brand “has become a standout in the industry due to steady
improvements over the past three years.” The chain received 813 out of a
possible 1,000 points and top ratings in the categories of
check-in/check-out, guest room, food and beverage, hotel facilities and
costs and fees.

The study was based on responses from 29,424 guests who stayed in a hotel
between December 2003 and June 2004. J.D. Power and Associates is a global
marketing information services firm based in Westlake Village, Calif.

Steven A. Rudnitsky, chairman and chief executive officer of Cendant’s
Hotel Group, said the ranking “shows Wingate Inn is the right brand at the
right time, offering the amenities and services our guests want at no
additional cost.”

The Wingate Inn all-inclusive pricing model provides free high-speed
Internet access, local calls, long-distance access, deluxe continental
breakfast, USA TODAY newspaper in the United States on weekdays, faxes,
photocopies and use of a 24-hour business center and fitness room with
whirlpool.

Every Wingate Inn guest room also is equipped with consumer-friendly
amenities including a two-line speakerphone, cordless phone, large desk,
coffee maker, hair dryer, iron and ironing board, safe, on-demand movies
and Internet-enabled television.

Wingate Inn hotels offer a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee that any
problems will be resolved in a timely manner or the cost of the room will
be refunded.

“As we continue to accelerate the growth of the Wingate Inn brand, we will
remain true to the values that achieved this number-one ranking,”
Rudnitsky said.
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