The Econo Lodge brand recently opened its first new-prototype hotel with the grand opening of the Econo Lodge Inn & Suites hotel, located at 3325 Arizona Ave., in Joplin, Mo.
The Econo Lodge Inn & Suites hotel is owned by Roger Pate, who also owns several other hotels franchised by Choice Hotels International.
Kevin Bradt, Choice Hotels’ senior director of brand strategy, said six additional new-prototype hotels are in the pipeline for 2005, which is a testament to the competitive development costs for developers.
“The opening of our Econo Lodge Inn & Suites in Joplin is a testament to our commitment to quality and innovation in the economy segment,” he said. “With the developers’ return on investment in mind, Choice Hotels crafted this prototype to be the most competitive in the segment. The competitive development cost creates an enhanced ROI opportunity for the developer, while also creating a great brand experience for the guest.”
Econo Lodge is the second-largest brand in the Choice Hotels family, which also includes Cambria Suites, Comfort Suites, Comfort Inn, Clarion, Sleep Inn, Quality, MainStay Suites and Rodeway Inn.
The new three-story, interior-corridor hotel, which opened in January and celebrated its grand opening March, features 69 spacious guest rooms and seven suites. Amenities include 25-inch televisions with cable, high-speed Internet access and free local calls. Suites also feature iron/ironing board, coffee maker, sofa sleepers, refrigerator and microwave. Business guests will appreciate HSIA, computer hook-ups and access to copy and fax services. A complimentary continental breakfast is also available.
Conveniently located off Interstate 44, the hotel is less than 5 miles from Northpark Mall, the region’s largest mall with more than 100 shops. The Civil War Museum, Powers Museum, universities, restaurants and shops also are nearby.
Handicap accessible and non-smoking rooms are available. Econo Lodge hotels participate in EA$Y CHOICE, a rewards program offering stamps toward room credit or frequent-flier miles to guests.
Guests can receive airline miles from participating airlines when staying at any Choice brand hotel.
Rooms at the Econo Lodge Inn & Suites in Joplin can also be booked directly by contacting the hotel at (417) 627-0440.
There currently are 812 Econo Lodge brand hotels open and 54 under development worldwide, representing 53,459 rooms.
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