Cambria Suites, the classy all-suite, all new construction hotel brand that is franchised by Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), among the many world’s largest lodging companies, continues to draw demand from developers. Today, the upscale hotel brand announces two hotel franchise agreements inside the rapidly expanding business communities of McAllen, Texas and West Fargo, North Dakota.
In the booming Texas border town of McAllen, located just north of the thriving McAllen-Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ), Cambria Suites is operating with very fashionable McAllen Strategic Group LLC and affiliates Hankin Enterprises and Fulcrum Management Corp because the official hotel of the city’s $90 million, 85,000 square foot, world-class convention center and the market’s most upscale lodging option. The Cambria Suites McAllen Convention Center shall be a 121 suite, 4-story property in an effort to also offer two banquet rooms and an executive conference room. The hotel may also feature a resort style pool, alfresco front room inspired decor, cabana lounge pods and a fireplace pit.
The West Fargo agreement is with highly respected KAJ Hospitality, which has corporate offices in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Mitchell, South Dakota and Wichita, Kansas, and can bring a trendy all-suites Cambria Suites brand hotel to North Dakota to service guests of the longer term conference center within the rapidly developing business community of West Fargo in addition to other visitors to the realm. The daddy and son development, ownership and management team of Kevin and Aaron Johnson will develop a four-story, 103 suite Cambria Suites hotel in West Fargo connected to the longer term 15,000 square foot conference center which KAJ Hospitality can even own and operate.
“Choice Hotels International is experiencing plenty of growth instantaneously, especially within the upscale lodging segment. Cambria Suites is key to our success in that space and it keeps on delivering for us,” said Stephen P. Joyce , president and chief executive officer of Choice Hotels International. “We were very strategically rolling out this brand, projecting growth and targeting prospering markets like McAllen and West Fargo. Teaming up with great developers as these only makes it easier.”
“Cambria Suites is the ideal brand for these expanding markets,” said Michael Murphy , senior vice chairman of upscale brands for Choice Hotels International. “We are seeing incredible growth within the Fargo, North Dakota and South Texas regions. Multi-national companies are expanding very fast in these cities, attracting business travelers and driving demand for a spacious, upscale lodging option where they could relax and remain productive at the road. We’re working with developers who understand these markets in addition to we do and Cambria Suites hits a sweet spot with these guests.”
In 2012, U.S. Census Bureau rated McAllen among the many ten fastest growing cities within the U . s . a ., largely a result of McAllen FTZ. Bordering Mexico, the McAllen FTZ is among the country’s most active thanks to provisions under the North American Free Trade Agreement which provide tariff and tax relief and other cost-savings to businesses. This has attracted major global companies in recent times, transforming the McAllen metropolitan area into a world hub where multi-national companies have dedicated significant investment and resources. These organizations include: LG, Panasonic, Corning, Motorola and Black & Decker, to call a couple of. U.S. Customs and Border Patrol McAllen Station also has a significant presence attracting government employees and civilian contractors to support its mission overseeing operation of the FTZ and for patrolling 53 miles of the Rio Grande.
Conveniently located near McAllen International Airport, Cambria Suites McAllen Convention Center is situated in close proximity to major interstate highways and diverse international cross border bridges. Town leads the state of Texas in retail sales making it a big shopping and restaurant destination. Right round the corner, guests of Cambria Suites can benefit from the Simon Property Group’s popular 350,000 square foot lifestyle retail center, Palms Crossing.
“Our team couldn’t be more all for our affiliation with the remarkable Cambria Suites brand,” said Christopher Haridopolos , principal of McAllen Strategic Group LLC. “We look ahead to growing in the ever expanding Cambria Suites family.”
With a population of greater than 25,000, West Fargo is without doubt one of the fastest growing communities in North Dakota reporting a growth rate of 72.9% in 2012, in response to the West Fargo Economic Development Committee. West Fargo is a part of the bigger Fargo/Moorhead MSA which has a population of two20,000 with an annual growth rate of 2.5%. The longer term KAJ Hospitality-developed conference center and connected Cambria Suites hotel are prime examples of this growth. Further, the brand new Sanford Health Medical Center, a $500 million, 371 bed state-of-the-art facility scheduled to open in 2016 can also be adjacent to the brand new hotel and conference center. Companies with a enormous or increasing presence nearby include Sanford Health, Titan Machinery, Bobcat, Cat Reman, Catholic Health Initiatives and Case New Holland.
“This is an excessively exciting and bold project for us and we all know Cambria Suites is the suitable fit. We considered many brands but we felt best about working with Choice Hotels,” said Aaron Johnson vp and chief financial officer of KAJ Hospitality. “The support we’ve got received from Choice Hotels and the Cambria Suites team was nothing in need of fantastic and we think that relationship to simply grow. The vision and strategy for the Cambria Suites brand falls right consistent with our vision for KAJ Hospitality.”
Typical to the Cambria Suites brand, the all-suite rooms are larger than standard offering travelers a spacious room to opened up overnight or over several nights. Designed to satisfy the wishes of today’s business travelers, these hotels provide separate areas for travelers to work and rest. Cambria Suites West Fargo is scheduled to start construction in June 2013 and open within the second quarter of 2014. Cambria Suites McAllen Convention Center is anticipated to wreck ground within the third quarter of 2013.
These hotels will continue to deliver the consistently high level of fashion at an equally attractive price guests have come to expect with this brand. All Cambria Suites hotels are new-construction and the logo leads the remainder of the upscale lodging segment in guest satisfaction scores as measured by guests’ likelihood to recommend (LTR). As of today, many Cambria Suites hotels are ranked #1 and #2 of their respective markets on TripAdvisor.
“Word of mouth is king and Cambria Suites is leading the conversation,” said Murphy. “We offer visitors a consistent, prime quality guest experience and they’re talking about it. This brand has truly tapped into what travelers today want and wish while at the road – service without stuffiness, style that doesn’t feel sterile and convenience that doesn’t forego comfort.”
Designed as an approach to life hotel brand, Cambria Suites offers greater than only a place to sleep at night. It incorporates a larger lobby to present guests a more social atmosphere, spacious all-suite rooms that come with separate areas to work and rest, providing business and leisure travelers room to sit back, socialize and network.
All Cambria Suites hotels feature Reflect, an informal dining and gathering area serving a dinner menu, liquor, wine, beer, freshly prepared grab-and-go gourmet salads and sandwiches, a barista bar featuring Wolfgang Puck® coffee and a hot breakfast buffet; Refresh, a state-of-the-art health club with a chic pool and hot tub/spa area; and Refill, a 24-7 convenience store that gives energy drinks, snacks and sundries.
In addition, each suite offers the newest technology, including two flat-screen LCD televisions and MediaHub™ plug-and-play technology, allowing guests to attach their laptop, MP3 player, game console, digicam or CD/DVD player hassle-free. Free high-speed wired and wireless Internet access is on the market during the hotel in order that guests can stay connected.
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