Courtyard by Marriott in Fort Smith, AK, Open for Business

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. October 14, 2008

JANUARY 29, 2007. John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts, LLC today announced the opening of the $25 million, 138-room Courtyard (R) by Marriott(R) Fort Smith Downtown ( www.courtyardfortsmith.com ) in Arkansas. The upscale, contemporary-style property is owned by Mr. John Q. Hammons and managed by John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts, LLC, the nation's leading independent builder, developer, owner and manager of upscale, full-service, hotels, resorts and suites ( www.jqhhotels.com ).

The first hotel guest, Mark T. Roberson, a Marriott Rewards member from Minnesota, received a ceremonial key to the property. Hotel staff enjoyed an impressive celebratory meal and related festivities to culminate their many months of hard work leading to a highly successful opening. Formal grand opening activities are expected in February 2007.

Courtyard by Marriott Fort Smith Downtown opens on the heels of a revitalization of the downtown community. Conveniently located at 900 Rogers Ave., the hotel is one block south from the Fort Smith Convention Center, which recently completed a multi-million dollar expansion. In addition to the convention center's improvements, the Riverfront Development and Garrison Avenue also underwent renovations, combining for a total project cost of $55 million.

"Fort Smith's wonderful downtown community and revitalization make this an opportune time to debut a quality, full-service hotel," said Mr. Hammons, founder, chairman and chief executive officer of John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts, LLC. "We're confident the hotel will help attract more association and religious-circuit group business to the Fort Smith, Northwest Arkansas and Little Rock area."

About the Hotel's Quality GM and Staff

Bert Haifley, hotel general manager, is a 12-year veteran of the John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts portfolio and joins the property from the Residence Inn (R) Joplin, Mo. Throughout his career, he has assisted with the opening of various properties including: Courtyard by Marriott Springfield Airport; Marriott Renaissance (R) in Tulsa, Okla.; and the Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Oklahoma City-Bricktown. Shawn Patel, assistant general manager, and Johnnia Cosby, executive chef, both are with the John Q. Hammons portfolio and joined from the company's Downtown Oklahoma City-Bricktown property. Combined, the core staff has more than 60 years' experience in the hospitality industry. Hotel Highlights

The four-story hotel features on-site dining in the Courtyard Caf'e, an exercise room, indoor pool and a full-service business center. Each of the guest rooms is outfitted in Marriott's The Room That Works (R) package featuring a luxury-bedding package, an ergonomic desk and chair, and Internet access.

Julia Russell, an in-house interior designer for John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts, created the contemporary atmosphere by complementing the smoothly curved furniture and light sockets with a bright color palette, overall modern decor and energetic textile patterns. Russell has designed numerous properties within the company's portfolio, including the Holiday Inn Express Springfield in Missouri, which earned Russell the title of Interior Designer of the Year from Springfield's 417 magazine.

Lohmeyer-Russell of Springfield served as architect for the project. The company has designed other John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts properties, such as the University Plaza Hotel and Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in Springfield. Flintco Construction, general contractor, also collaborated on the project.

Area Information

Fort Smith is located near the Oklahoma-Arkansas state line on the Arkansas River, south of the Boston Mountains and north of Fort Chaffee. More than 250,000 residents live in the region, which is headquarters to large corporations such as Gerber, Whirlpool, Planters and Georgia Pacific. The area offers a wide range of outdoor activities including biking, fishing, swimming, canoeing, sailing and boating. Visitors can also hike, horseback ride or bike along the 165-mile Ozarks Highlands Trail, rated as one of the top 10 in the country. Less adventurous travelers can visit the day spas, shopping centers and golf courses. Tourist highlights include the Fort Smith Trolley Museum, Fort Smith Museum of Natural History, and the Fort Smith River Park. Each year the city hosts the Old Fort Days Rodeo, Riverfront Blues Fest, and the Arkansas-Oklahoma State Fair, which attracts thousands of visitors and top entertainment talent.