A broker friendly alliance.

The Hotel Group (THG) announced its intention to purchase up to six full-service hotels in 2004 to add to its current portfolio of 26 owned and/or managed properties.

The company is committed to acting quickly on all viable opportunities discovered, via an exclusive partnership with Hotel Realty Advisors.

"I've always placed great emphasis on careful and prudent planning, expanding only when downside risk is best minimized and upside potential is best maximized so that we may distribute cash flow to our investors," said Edmond Lee, chief executive officer of The Hotel Group. "The time is right and we have the operational expertise to support such growth. Our intention and ability to pay the broker's lee will put us in a very attractive position to sellers."

THG has a successful record of producing high average annual rates of return for its investors. Its acquisition strategy is to buy under-performing full-service properties with 125-400 rooms in secondary, suburban and tertiary markets. These properties are then renovated, re-positioned and/or re-branded during the first year of ownership.

THG's knowledge base, resources and relationships with major brands such as Hilton, Marriott, Radisson, and Holiday Inn allows quick assessment of market and positioning needs. Its expertise in updating and turning around under-performing projects comes from 19 years of experience.

THG has managed 87 hotels, representing more than 12,000 rooms, throughout the United States since 1984. Recent purchases include the 317-room Hilton-Knoxville, which is undergoing extensive remodeling and the recently re-flagged and 227-room Radisson-San Antonio Airport also currently undergoing renovation. THG's new management contracts include four newly opened properties as well as four properties that are under construction.