MINNEAPOLIS HOTELBUSINESS. has learned that Country Inns & Suites by Carlson is planning to expand it presence in the Northeast and on the West Coast, moving towards its goal of opening the brand s 500th property within the next five years, according to Paul Kirwin, president/Country Inns & Suites.
Currently the brand has 250 hotels, 230 of which are located in North America. In 2000, the brand opened 43 new properties, which marks the company s fifth consecutive year with 30% growth in the number of properties.
The brand s intended expansion will help diversify the Country Inns & Suites portfolio, which is currently heavily concentrated in the Midwest, Southwest, and Southeast. (1/11/01) Diana M. Rodriguez