Press Release: Prime Hospitality
April 6, 2001
FAIRFIELD, NJ -- Prime Hospitality's growing AmeriSuites chain is currently the largest national lodging chain
to earn AAA's Three Diamond ranking systemwide.
``AmeriSuites hotels received Three Diamond status from AAA for their very good design and exceptionally well-maintained
structures, the high level of guest service and perhaps most importantly, their consistency throughout the chain,''
explained Frederick L. Gruel, president and CEO of the AAA New Jersey Automobile Club.
The Three Diamond rating is noteworthy because every AmeriSuites is affiliated with AAA through its 'Official Appointment'
program. Due to this complete affiliation, AmeriSuites is the largest hotel brand eligible to use the AAA Three
Diamond logo in its marketing materials.
``We are very pleased to be recognized by an independent, well-respected travel association such as AAA,'' said
Prime Hospitality Chairman & CEO A.F. Petrocelli. ``Brand quality and consistency have always been paramount
to AmeriSuites and we are proud to have earned the Three Diamond distinction.''
The Three Diamond symbol is included in each winning establishment's listing in the 2001 AAA TourBook® guides.
The majority of AAA's 43 million members in the US and Canada depend on AAA publications to assist them with their
travel-related decisions.
AAA's full-time professional field inspectors visit more than 28,000 lodgings, 10,000 campgrounds, 12,000 restaurants
and attractions annually. AAA inspectors conduct unannounced evaluations, assigning a rating of One to Five Diamonds
to qualifying establishments in the US, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. The association officially began rating
properties in 1963 and adopted the diamond rating system in 1977 in celebration of its 75th anniversary.
AmeriSuites was also recently ranked #1 among Midpriced Hotels without Food & Beverage facilities in Business
Traveler News' annual Top Hotel Survey. All properties provide comfortable accommodations with separate living
and sleeping areas and a wide array of amenities, including kitchen/wet bar area with refrigerator, microwave and
coffee maker. Other amenities include complimentary bountiful breakfast buffets, high-speed Internet access, fitness
centers, meeting space, and heated indoor or outdoor pools. AmeriSuites also offer ``Taking Care of Business''
(TCB) Suites, with additional amenities for business travelers. Reservations can be made through AmeriSuites' toll-free
central reservation system, 1-800-833-1516. Information can also be accessed via the Internet at http://www.amerisuites.com.
AmeriSuites® is a trademarked proprietary brand of Prime Hospitality Corp. (NYSE: PDQ), headquartered in Fairfield,
NJ. Prime currently owns, manages and/or franchises nearly 240 hotels throughout the United States under its proprietary
trade names AmeriSuites®, and Wellesley Inn & Suites® and under franchise agreements with national
hotel chains. There are presently 133 AmeriSuites properties located in 31 states, with primary concentration in
key markets such as Atlanta, Chicago, Cincinnati, Denver, Miami, Dallas and Nashville.
SOURCE: Prime Hospitality