Extended Stay America, Inc.'s 397th Hotel Opens in Louisiana

Press Release
March 7, 2001
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL -- Extended Stay America, Inc. (NYSE:ESA) has opened a three-story Extended StayAmerica Efficiency Studios brand hotel at 2300 Veterans Boulevard in Kenner, La., just minutes from the New Orleans International Airport and the Ponchatrain Convention Center. The new 122-room hotel is the Company's 2nd property in the New Orleans area, its 6th hotel in the state and its 397th property overall.

According to Chief Executive Officer George D. Johnson, Jr., ``The extended-stay lodging market is the fastest growing segment of the hotel industry and is quickly catching the interest of business professionals, people relocating and those on extended work assignments.''

Weekly room rates for the new Extended StayAmerica hotel are available from $409 for a Queen room and $439 for a King room -- a fraction of the cost you'd pay elsewhere for similar features. Nightly rates are available from $95.

Guest rooms at Extended StayAmerica properties include a queen-size bed, recliner, cable TV with remote, free voice mail, free local calls, and a computer data port. Each room also has a kitchen with a refrigerator, two-burner range, microwave, coffee maker, utensils and tableware.

The property features a 24-hour, coin-operated, on-site laundry facility for guests and convenient vending machines. Guests are provided with weekly housekeeping service and twice-weekly towel service. Properties are generally staffed by five to six full-time and eight to ten part-time employees.

Extended Stay America, Inc. owns and operates five other Louisiana-based extended-stay hotels under its Extended StayAmerica Efficiency Studios and Crossland Economy Studios brand names in the Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles and New Orleans areas.

``The appeal of our hotels reaches beyond the business and corporate community. Besides being ideal for professionals on extended or temporary assignments such as consulting or training, our properties are perfect for people building homes, relocating or attending family functions,'' said Mike Wilson, Vice President - Marketing.

Extended Stay America, Inc. was founded in January, 1995 by Mr. Johnson and H. Wayne Huizenga. Mr. Johnson was formerly President of the Consumer Products Division of Blockbuster Entertainment Corp., a division of Viacom, Inc. Mr. Huizenga, who is Chairman of the Board, is also Chairman of the Board for AutoNation, Inc. and formerly was Vice Chairman of Viacom, Inc., and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Blockbuster Entertainment Corp.

The Company, which is the fastest-growing company owned and operated hotel chain in U.S. history, has recently been named one of America's 100 Fastest-Growing Companies by Fortune magazine for the second year in a row. Currently, Extended Stay America, Inc. operates 397 extended-stay lodging hotels in 38 states, which includes 93 StudioPLUS Deluxe Studios, 265 Extended StayAmerica Efficiency Studios and 39 Crossland Economy Studios facilities.

For reservations, locations or additional information on Extended Stay America, Inc., please call 1-800-EXT-STAY or visit the Company's Web site at www.extstay.com.

NOTE TO EDITORS: For copies of recent press releases from Extended Stay America via fax, at no charge, call 888/395-STAY (7829). For company information, logo and photos via the Internet, visit http://www.extstay.com

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Contact: 

     Extended Stay America, Inc., Fort Lauderdale
     Monique Damiano, 954/713-1624
     mdamiano@extstay.com