Charlottesville, Va., Red Roof Inn opens.

HILLIARD, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 5, 1997--Red Roof Inns, Inc. (NYSE:RRI) announced the opening of its newest property, located in historic Charlottesville, Va., adjacent to the University of Virginia.

The eight-story, 135-room inn was purchased in mid-1996, but remained closed while extensive renovations were completed. (It was formerly a Howard Johnson Motor Inn.) Red Roof Inns invested nearly $3 million in renovating the hotel's facade, guestrooms, bathrooms and lobby as well as adding a new heating and air conditioning system and fire sprinklers.

"We are proud of the new look of our Charlottesville property," said Red Roof Inns Chairman, President and CEO Francis W. Cash. "The hotel has been an important part of the Charlottesville community, and we want to continue that tradition while providing the clean, comfortable rooms and value that our guests have come to expect at all our Red Roof Inns."

Day-to-day operations at the Charlottesville inn will be carried out under General Manager Mark Aston. Aston is a seven-year veteran of the company, previously serving as a general manager in both Greensboro, N.C., and Columbia, Md.

The new Red Roof Inn will also accommodate two restaurants -- the Chesapeake Bagel Bakery and Hard Times Cafe which will open this fall.

Red Roof Inns, Inc. (NYSE:RRI) is a leading economy lodging chain. With 250 properties and more than 28,500 rooms in 33 states and the District of Columbia, Red Roof Inns is pursuing a growth strategy that includes internal development as well as franchising.

CONTACT: Red Roof Inns, Inc., Hilliard

Heidi M. Adams, 614/876-3417