RENOVATIONS BEGIN AT THE HOLIDAY INN - DELAND, FLORIDA
September 20, 2000

Remodeling plans call for full updating of hotel exterior and interior.

DeLand, Florida -- The Holiday Inn, DeLand has begun a 1.5 million dollar, major renovation project that will sunstantially improve virtually every area of the hotel, including exterior, lobbies, banquet rooms, restaurant and all of the hotel's 148 guest rooms and suites.

The renovation will upgrade the hotel's furniture, fixtures, lighting and accessories, as well as add new wall and floor coverings throughout the property. "We're very excited", says Bruce Finn, General Manager of the hotel, "we've been in the planning stages since we purchased the hotel in April of this year, and it's nice to finally see the actual work starting".

The renovation will take place in stages -- the first being a complete change out of the hotel's existing roofs and major air conditioning units. At the same time, a full waterproofing will be done to the exterior, and the exterior look will be updated.

Stage two will encompass all the lobbies and meeting space of the hotel. "While we enjoy a tremendous amount of local banquet and catering business, including almost 40 weddings per year, we always want to present a fresh, new image in our meeting rooms." Finn adds, "For that reason, all of the lighting, wall coverings and accents in our ballroom areas will be completely redone."

The hotel will also be adding an exercise facility, guest laundry, high speed internet kiosk/business center, updating the pool and recreation areas, and re-doing the restaurant.

"We want to provide our guests with all the amenities and convieniences they need while away from home." Future plans include high speed internet access from the hotel's guest rooms, as well as first run movie availability.

The final stage of the remodeling will emcompass all of the hotel's 148 sleeping rooms and suites, which will include new carpets, window treatments, bedding, wall coverings, bedspreads and upholstery.

The renovation is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2000. The hotel will remain open and in full operation during the renovation process. The hotel has chosen CVC and Associates, Inc. for the interior design and renovation process. CVC is based in Orlando, Florida and handles all phases of renovation and construction for commercial, institutional and the hospitality industry on an international scale, including clients such as Disney, Universal Studios, the Mission Inn Golf and Tennis Resort, Pinhurst Resort and The Country Club of Orlando. "We are confident that with the experience and services of renovation professionals like CVC, our guests are going to be very pleased with the results of our renovation."

Physical changes aren't the only new happenings at The Holiday Inn. Since purchasing the hotel in April of 2000, Milestone Hospitality has been upgrading services at the hotel, including new menus, banquet equipment, bedding, and a guest service training program that puts the guest first, for all employees.

The Holiday Inn DeLand is owned by Milestone Hotel Partners, which operates the property under its management company, Milestone Hospitality International. The firm operates 15 hotels in 6 states including the Silver Spring Hilton, Silver Spring, MD; The Holiday Inn Harrisburg/Hershey, Grantville, PA; The Best Western Hershey, Hershey, PA; The Best Western, Utica, NY; The Holiday Inn, New Hartford, NY; The Microtel, Sulphur, LA; The Holiday Inn, Deland, FL; The Days Inn, Fort Lauderdale, FL; The Days Inn, Tampa, FL; The Days Inn, Fort Myers, FL; and a consortium of 5 Days Inn properties in Frankfort, Shepherdsville/Louisville, and Fort Wright/Cincinnati, KY.

Contact:

Bruce R. Finn, VP of Operations, Milestone Hospitality
8727 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910
301-563-3828
email: bfinn@milestonehotels.com

Steve McIntire, General Manager of the DeLand Holiday Inn
350 East International Speedway Boulevard, DeLand, FL 32724
904-738-5200

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