Affirming the recovery of New York�s hotel industry and the potential for smoke-free properties, Comfort Inn Midtown, a 79-room, smoke-free hotel in Times Square, enjoyed 100% occupancy for the entire month of April.

Located at 129 West 46th Street, the boutique property is New York City�s only smoke-free hotel and is owned and operated by Apple Core Hotels, a group of five moderately priced hotels in midtown Manhattan. The hotel sold out from March 30 � May 8, a total of 40 consecutive days. �The Comfort Inn Midtown has been our most consistent property in terms of occupancy and repeat visitation since the smoke-free conversion in August 2001,� says Vijay Dandapani, COO of Apple Core Hotels. �This is the first time an Apple Core Hotels property enjoyed a �perfect� month in April, so we feel this backs up our value proposition. Plus, it appears New York�s hotel industry is as strong as ever.� Affordable and well-appointed, all five Apple Core Hotels properties offer such conveniences as complimentary high-speed wireless Internet access (Wi-Fi), cable television with Web TV, telephones with data port and voice mail, on-demand movies and video games, hair dryers, coffee makers, irons and ironing boards, and on-site fitness and business centers. Additionally, children under 13 stay free when sharing their parents� room, making a large room with two double beds an economical choice for families.

With rates starting at just $89 per night including Continental breakfast, Apple Core Hotels� properties include the La Quinta Inn Manhattan (17 West 32nd Street), Red Roof Inn Manhattan (6 West 32nd Street), the smoke-free Comfort Inn Midtown (129 West 46th Street), Super 8 Hotel Times Square (59 West 46th Street), and the Ramada Inn East Side (161 Lexington Avenue).

All rates are exclusive of tax and subject to availability. For information or reservations, contact Apple Core Hotels at (800) 567-7720 or (212) 790-2710, or fax (212) 790-2760. For real-time reservations, log on to Apple Core Hotels� interactive Web site, www.applecorehotels.com.

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Media Contact: Doug Greenberg +1 212-228-1500 doug@njfpr.com