Choice Hotels Ascend Collection rapid growth in Q2-2013

Ascend Collection is a boutique brand for Choice Hotels generally comprised of independent hotels that want or need brand marketing affiliation. The Ascend Collection has grown to over 100 properties in the 6,287 hotels within Choice Hotels that includes brands like Comfort Inn and Suites and Quality Inn for nearly 50% of the hotel chain’s portfolio.

Ascend Collection grew to 100 properties in May 2013 with 29 new members added in Q2-2013, although the numbers in the Q2-2013 earnings report only show 90 Ascend Collection hotels.

I attended the Americas Lodging and Investment Summit at JW Marriott at LA Live in January 2013 and one of the presentations discussed the management fees for independent hotels joining a major chain like Marriott’s Autograph Collection or Choice Hotels Ascend Collection. As you might expect, the fees are far less to join Choice Hotels. For independent hotels the marketing enhancement is a great benefit in joining a large hotel chain.

Here is a list of new Ascend Collection hotels to join Choice Hotels.

Ascend Resort Collection and Ascend Hotel Collection
Hotel Name	City	Country/State	Rooms
Cibola Vista Resort and Spa, an Ascend Resort Collection Member	Peoria	AZ	59
Daytona Seabreeze, An Ascend Resort Collection Member	Daytona Beach Shores	FL	21
Hammocks at Marathon, An Ascend Resort Collection Member	Marathon	FL	20
Fountains, An Ascend Resort Collection Member	Orlando	FL	226
Grande Villas at World Golf Villas, An Ascend Resort Collection Member	St. Augustine	FL	40
Solara Surfside, An Ascend Resort Collection Member	Surfside	FL	20
Casa del Mar, An Ascend Resort Collection Member	Ormond Beach	FL	30
The Studio Homes, An Ascend Resort Collection Member	Savannah	GA	18
The Soundings, An Ascend Resort Collection Member	Dennis Port	MA	30
Mountain Run at Boyne, An Ascend Resort Collection Member	Boyne Falls	MI	77
Paradise Point, An Ascend Resort Collection Member	Hollister	MO	35
South Mountain, An Ascend Resort Collection Member	Lincoln	NH	24
Atlantic Palace, An Ascend Resort Collection Member	Atlantic City	NJ	145
Club 36, An Ascend Resort Collection Member	Las Vegas	NV	275
Suites at Hershey, An Ascend Resort Collection Member	Hershey	PA	43
Harbour Lights, An Ascend Resort Collection Member	Myrtle Beach	SC	210
Seaglass Tower, An Ascend Resort Collection Member	Myrtle Beach	SC	57
Mountain Loft, An Ascend Resort Collection Member	Gatlinburg	TN	104
Christmas Mountain Village, An Ascend Resort Collection Member	Wisconsin Dells	WI	88
Club La Pension, An Ascend Resort Collection Member	New Orleans	LA	5
Hotel Seville, An Ascend Hotel Collection Member	Harrison	AR	57
Hotel Med Park, An Ascend Hotel Collection Member	Sacramento	CA	32
Hotel Florence, An Ascend Hotel Collection Member	Florence	SC	50
Riverside Hotel, An Ascend Hotel Collection Member	West Chesterfield	NH	34
Carnegie Inn & Spa, An Ascend Hotel Collection Member	State College	PA	20
Gaia Shasta Hotel, An Ascend Hotel Collection Member	Anderson	CA	120
The Port Inn, An Ascend Hotel Collection Member	Kennebunk	ME	46

Hotel Florence, An Ascend Hotel Collection Member, Florence, S.C. – A multi-million dollar renovation preceded the grand re-opening of this historic hotel and restaurant/bar in May 2013. Located in the heart of the historic downtown, the new property serves as a hub for the city’s revitalization efforts. Hotel Florence’s contemporary new design pays homage to the hotel’s historic roots with exposed brick walls, original hardwood floors and two 19^th century writing tables in the lobby that serve as the front desk. Many rooms feature large windows with splendid city views. For on-property dining, Victor’s Bistro is a full-service, upscale restaurant and bar consistently voted by local press as among the city’s finest. The hotel is within easy walking distance of lively shops, galleries, restaurants, museums, businesses, Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center and the Florence City-County Complex.

Carnegie Inn and Spa, An Ascend Hotel Collection Member, State College, Pa. – Overlooking the 17th green of the Toftrees Golf Course, Carnegie Inn and Spa is Central Pennsylvania’s first AAA Four-Diamond hotel. The 21-room lodging is home to the full-service Carnegie Inn Restaurant, Carnegie Library Lounge and the ESSpa Kozmetika Spa, which specializes in organic facials, massages, body wraps and more. With its award-winning 1,600- bottle wine cellar, Carnegie Inn Restaurant is consistently named as the area’s best fine dining experience, as ranked by State College Magazine. Mornings at the inn begin with a complimentary made-to-order hot breakfast. Carnegie Inn and Spa is minutes from University Park Airport, Penn State University, Beaver Stadium and the Bryce Jordan Center arena for concerts and sporting events.

I purchased 152,000 Choice Privileges points in the 2013 Daily Getaways sale. So far I have only redeemed points for a Comfort Inn stay in Utah. I’m looking forward to the chance to stay at an Ascend Collection property when I get somewhere with a good deal on room rates or points. And London is calling me for a visit sometime this next year.

Source: Hotels International Opens 113 Hotels in Q2 2013

Ric Garrido, writer and owner of Loyalty Traveler, shares news and views on hotels, hotel loyalty programs and vacation destinations for frequent guests.

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