Billings, Montana - The Northern Hotel, located at 19 N. Broadway in the heart of the revitalization of downtown Billings, is now part of the Clarion Hotel brand, franchised by worldwide lodging franchisor Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH).

The Clarion Hotel, the Northern Hotel is owned by Yellowstone Hotel Group, LLC. Shaun Combs is the general manager.

Clarion, a brand of full-service hotels and resorts was named the top ranked midscale hotel brand with food and beverage services in the Market Metrix Hospitality Index (MMHI) for the first quarter of 2004.

�This historic hotel with its 100-year history, western flavor and special hotel features is a perfect addition to the Clarion brand,� said Alexandra Jaritz, senior director, brand strategy for Clarion brand.�

The 160-unit Clarion Hotel, The Historic Northern Hotel, features a 10,000 square foot convention center, which can accommodate 1,500 people. Rooms have been refurbished with cherry wood furniture and new mattresses. Each guest room features a hair dryer, coffee maker, iron, ironing board and 27-inch remote controlled cable TV. Spacious parlor and junior suites also feature a private sitting area, large desks and king-size beds.

Hotel features of the Clarion Hotel, the Historic Northern Hotel include a 24-hour business center, on-site electronic video gaming, a fitness center, gift shop and tour desk. The 100-seat Golden Belle Restaurant and Saloon, which features Montana-raised beef, is located on site. A 7,735 square foot mirrored ballroom with stage can accommodate large banquet parties of 570 people or be broken into three separate meeting rooms for smaller groups.

Room rates start at $69. Guests of the Clarion Hotel, The Historic Northern Hotel receive a complimentary USA TODAY newspaper.

The Clarion Hotel, the Historic Northern Hotel is within walking distance of restaurants theaters, the downtown shopping district, Farmers Market, Moss Mansion, Western Heritage Art Center and Yellowstone Art Museum. The hotel is only two and a half miles from Logan International Airport. Beartooth Scenic Highway is 60 miles from the hotel. Yellowstone National Park is 160 miles away.

For reservations at any Clarion brand hotel worldwide, contact Choice's toll-free reservation service at (800)-4CHOICE or visit www.choicehotels.com on the Internet. Reservations also can be made by contacting the Clarion Hotel, the Historic Northern Hotel at (406) 245-5121.

Choice Hotels International is one of the world's largest lodging franchisors, marketing more than 5,000 hotels open or under development in over 40 countries and territories under the Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, MainStay Suites, Econo Lodge, and Rodeway Inn brand names. For more information on Choice, visit the company's web site at www.choicehotels.com.

Choice Hotels, Choice Hotels International, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, MainStay Suites, Econo Lodge, and Rodeway Inn are the proprietary trademarks and service marks of Choice Hotels International Inc.

Contact: Dorothy Dee Tel: (301) 592-6197 Fax: (301) 592-6177 dorothy_dee@choicehotels.com

Contact: Ellen M. Robison Clarion Hotel The Historic Northern Hotel Tel: (406) 896-2393 Fax: (406) 259-9862

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