Motel 6 Announces the Opening of Its First Property in Canada; Lodging Leader Makes Its Canadian Debut With 122-Room Property in Burlington, Ontario.

Business Editors &Hotel/Travel Writers

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 31, 2000

Motel 6, the largest economy lodging chain in the United States with 800 properties in 48 states, today makes its Canadian debut with the opening of a newly constructed, 121-room property in Burlington, Ontario, part of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

Motel 6 is one of three lodging brands operated by Accor Economy Lodging, the largest owner and operator of economy lodging brands in the U.S. and the North American economy lodging division of Paris-based Accor S.A., the world's third-largest lodging, travel and business services company.

Last November, Accor Economy Lodging announced its plans to establish a Canadian division, Motel 6 Canada, and to introduce the Motel 6 and Studio 6 brands throughout Canada. Over the next two- to three years, AEL will invest approximately Cdn$100 million to develop and operate a minimum of 10 economy motels representing approximately 1,200 rooms. The opening of the Burlington property is the first of four Greater Toronto Area properties scheduled to open in 2000. Later this year, Motel 6 will open properties in Whitby and Brampton, with a Studio 6, AEL's new extended-stay concept, planned for Mississauga.

Located at the northwest corner of North Service Road and Corporate Drive, adjacent to QEW between Walker's Line and Appleby Line, the debut Motel 6 is ideally positioned to meet the needs of value-minded business and leisure travelers alike. &uot;Situated at the main point of entry into Toronto from major U.S. markets like Detroit and Buffalo, our Burlington property offers a superior location on the QEW, allowing us to provide convenient, comfortable and economical accommodations to travelers visiting the numerous business and leisure destinations offered not only by Burlington, but by the Greater Toronto Area overall,&uot; said Patrick Bourguignon, senior vice president of operations for Motel 6. &uot;We are thrilled to introduce our Motel 6 brand to this important market, which offers only upside potential as the community continues to thrive.&uot;

Within the city of Burlington, there are more than 3,300 commercial, retail and industrial businesses operating, including such nationally known firms as Asea Brown Boveri, CRS Robotics Corporation, Laidlaw, Digital Equipment of Canada, Ltd., IBM, General Electric and Westinghouse Canada Ltd. The community also offers significant appeal to the more than 1.1 million annual tourists visiting Burlington to see the Royal Botanical Gardens, considered one of the most spectacular botanical gardens in North America, and Mohawk Raceway, a harness racing track. Strategically located on the QEW, which connects to all major interstates in Toronto as well as to Hamilton and Montreal, Burlington is expected to enjoy continued prosperity as the community accommodates an increasing portion of the GTA's future population and business growth.

Known throughout the United States for its modern, quality lodging and excellent price value, Motel 6 properties offer travelers free local phone calls and no long distance access charges, free morning coffee, 24-hour-a-day faxing service at the front desk, free cable television, and remote-control television sets. Most properties also have guest laundry facilities, swimming pools, and electronic door locks and phones with data ports.

&uot;Since 1962, Motel 6 has provided a comfortable place to stay for families, business people and all those who seek consistent lodging at an affordable price,&uot; said Georges Le Mener, president and CEO of Accor Economy Lodging. &uot;We are proud to now bring Motel 6 across the border so that Canadian leisure and business travelers looking for fresh, new options in economy lodging will find an inviting home away from home.&uot;

AEL is the North American economy lodging division of Paris-based Accor S.A., the world's third-largest lodging, travel and business services company. In addition to Motel 6 and Studio 6, AEL operates the Red Roof Inns brand and, in aggregate, comprises more than 10% of the entire U.S. economy lodging sector with approximately 1,112 properties representing more than 122,000 rooms located throughout the 48 contiguous states. Parent-company Accor also owns several brands within the mid-scale and upscale tiers of the lodging industry, including Sofitel and Novotel, already a well-established brand in Canada.