SPARTANBURG, S.C. | Gary DeLapp, President and CEO of HVM L.L.C., the operator of Extended Stay Hotels, announced today the launch of a new website () that gives business and leisure travelers access to the most comprehensive and convenient extended stay reservations system in the United States. The easy-to-use website offers a choice of over 650 extended stay locations. The website also includes a guarantee that if a lower, publicly available, nightly rate is found on any travel booking engine for the same Extended Stay Hotels(SM) property over the same dates, it will honor that rate and include an additional 10 percent nightly rate discount.

"We're making it easy to find and book hotels that provide extended stay lodging, " says DeLapp. "Consolidating brands within this one segment of the hospitality industry means that when people are looking for an extended stay hotel they will likely find it at ExtendedStayHotels.com." Properties initially featured on the website are Extended StayAmerica(R), Homestead Studio Suites(R), StudioPLUS Deluxe Studios(R) and Crossland Economy Studios(R), collectively reaching all destinations from coast to coast. Thirty-seven former Wellesley Inn and Suites became part of the Extended Stay Hotels family in October 2004 and are now part of the Extended StayAmerica brand, as well.

"Few designated extended stay hotel booking sites offer such a broad range of products and locations," says Mark Skinner, partner with the hospitality consulting firm, The Highland Group.

The site has an enhanced hotel search option that allows users to drill down to find information they need about individual hotel properties, including specific amenities, room layouts, virtual tours, driving directions and local points of interest like nearby restaurants, movie theaters and other businesses. There is also an option to create a password-protected personal identification page where billing address, credit card and contact information is stored in the system, thus eliminating the need to re-enter the same information when subsequent reservations are made. Existing reservations may also be accessed at ExtendedStayHotels.com for viewing or to make modifications.

DeLapp says, "Extended Stay Hotels is taking extraordinary steps to provide for the needs of extended stay travelers. Service is a top priority and Extended Stay Hotels is setting new benchmarks for how customers should expect to be treated in this industry."

The new website is one of many industry improvements that have been made since the consolidated marketing of the Extended Stay America and Homestead Studio Suites Hotels(R) brands began in May, 2004. Today, there is an Extended Stay HotelsSM property in most major markets in the U.S., making it the country's largest and most comprehensive collection of extended stay properties.

According to The Highland Group, demand for extended stay hotels increased by 6.8 percent in the first quarter 2004 compared to one year prior. Room demand is outpacing room availability, which leads many to believe the extended-stay category is on pace to return to pre-9/11 days when the extended stay industry held a 12-point premium occupancy rate (69.3%) over the entire hotel industry.

Hotels offering extended stay lodging are particularly attractive to travelers such as corporate trainers and consultants on extended projects; relocating employees; leisure travelers visiting relatives/friends or in need of temporary housing; and construction crews. They typically feature separate living, dining and sleeping areas, plenty of work space and a fully-equipped kitchen including a stovetop, refrigerator and microwave oven. All of the properties featured at ExtendedStayHotels.com include conveniences such as an on-site 24-hour laundry facility, free voice mail and computer dataports, and some locations also provide leisure facilities including swimming pools and exercise facilities. All Homestead Studio Suites(R) and some Extended StayAmerica(R) hotels currently have wireless high-speed Internet service, and all properties within the Extended Stay Hotels family will have Wi-Fi access by March, 2005.

For questions about ExtendedStayHotels.com, call 1-800-326-5651, ext. 1777.

About Extended Stay Hotels - HVM L.L.C., the operator of Extended Stay Hotels is headquartered in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The company operates more than 650 extended stay lodging hotels in 43 states, including Extended StayAmerica Efficiency Studios(R), Homestead Studio Suites Hotels(R), StudioPLUS Deluxe Studios(R) and Crossland Economy Studios(R) properties.