J une 1, 1994 • T he P ortland O bserver
P age B2
t
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a
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Creative Endeavors Honored
e
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New Hotel Chain
Coming To Oregon
Prom us H otels today a n ­
nounced plans for a major expan­
sion of the Homewood Suites ex­
tended-stay brand hotels. The
company intends to finance and
b u ild 20-25 c o m p an y -o w n ed
Homewood Suites hotels in the
next three years, according to Ray
Schultz, president and chief ex­
ecutive officer of the hotel divi­
sion of the Promus Companies.
Inc.
In Oregon, Homewood Suites
hotels have been targeted for de­
velopment in Portland and Sa­
lem.
“We are excited about the de­
v elopm ent o p p o rtu n itie s that
these markets represent for the
Homewood Suites brand,” Schultz
said. “W e’re anxious to begin
working with developers to iden­
tify suitable sites for the chain’s
expansion.”
The Promus companies will
fund the expansion through in­
ternally generated cash flows and
existing c re d it fac ilitie s. The
plans are based on the excellent
performance of the brand for the
past several years and an im prov­
ing lodging picture, according to
Schultz.
“The extended-stay segment
is one of the most promising and
dynamic in the hotel industry,
one in which Homewood Suites
has established a reputation for
e x c e lle n c e . W e c o n s is te n tly
achieve premiums over com peti­
tive hotel chains as well as the
industry as a whole,” Schultz said.
Actor Jaleel White (right), host of the 1994 Disneyland Creativity Challenge Awards, with Mickey and Minnie Mouse and Don Dominguez,
west coach executive vice president of Walt Disney attractions. White presented achievement awards and medallions to 66 junior and
senior high school students from around the country. He encouraged them to follow their dreams, stay focused and avoid the pitfalls of
life, namely drugs.
System -wide occupancy of
75.8 percent in 1993 place it
among the industry's top perform­
ers.
Another key measure of per­
formance is customer satisfaction.
Homewood Suites ranks among
the highest in the industry. R e­
search shows the chain scores in
the upper 90s for the quality of its
product and service. Customers
of the brand tend to be very loyal,
too, with intent-to-return scores
also in the upper 90s. The 100
percent satisfaction guarantee
offered by Homewood Suites, and
all other Promus hotel brands,
plays a big role in keeping quality
and comm itm ent to service high,
Schultz said.
Priced for maximum value
compared to competitive hotels,
the brand is known for offering
complimentary breakfast daily, an
evening social function every
M onday-T hursday, apartm ent-
style suites with separate sleep­
ing and liv in g a re a s , fu lly
equipped kitchens, rem ote-con­
trolled TVs, videocassette play­
ers and ceiling fans. Many have
w ood-burning firep laces. The
suites are built around a central
lodge that offers a “ suite shop,”
convenience store, laundry facili­
ties, an exercise center and an
executive business center with a
p erso n al co m p u ter, facsim ile
machine and photocopier.
Promus Hotels is the hotel divi­
sion of the Promus Companies, Inc.,
based in Memphis, Tenn.
Join the Starlight Run on
Saturday, June 4 at 8 p.m. in
Downtown Portland
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