BELFAST, ME— Lafayette Hotels of Bangor has converted the Comfort Inn Ocean’s Edge to the Fireside Inn & Suites Ocean’s Edge.
“We have chosen to end our franchise relationship with Comfort Inn,” said General Manager Barry Asalone. “This was a tough decision because the Comfort Inn brand has been good to us over the years, but we believe that operational decisions are better made by the owner rather than the franchisor.”
According to the company, it chose not to renew its franchise agreement because contracts with national hotel brands are restrictive, occasionally even prohibiting upgrades that exceed brand standards.
Amenities the hotel will offer under the Fireside Inn & Suites brand include Keurig coffee brewers and Green Mountain coffee; Bath & Body Works soaps and shampoos; and a refrigerator and microwave in guestrooms. Some rooms have fireplaces, massage chairs or Tempur-Pedic beds.
The Fireside Inn & Suites brand is a New England-based brand, owned and operated by Lafayette Hotels. Ocean’s Edge is the eighth Fireside Inn & Suites property in the Lafayette portfolio.