CSM was recognized for the following: 

Number of Projects -- CSM Lodging's portfolio spreads over nine states in the Minneapolis, Portland, Seattle, Phoenix, Boston, Naples, Detroit, Des Moines and Milwaukee markets. Their Marriott hotels include eight Courtyard's, six Residence Inn's, eight TownePlace Suites and three SpringHill Suites. CSM has a total of 30 open hotels and has two under construction to open this year. 

Enhancing Brand Equity -- CSM Lodging has thirty open hotels, and only opened their first hotel just four years ago. "The quality of CSM's buildings is exemplary as is the customer service provided by their hotels," says Daryl Nickels, Vice President of Marriott International. Marriott prides itself in outstanding customer service and all of CSM's Residence Inn's and SpringHill Suites exceed the 90th percentile in guest satisfaction scores and rank in the top ten percent. All of CSM's Courtyard's and TownePlace Suites are either gold, silver or platinum winners, which designate exemplary customer service. In addition, CSM's TownePlace Suites, Eden Prairie, Minn. has won Marriott's "Hotel of the Year" for 1998 and 1999. 

Construction Excellence -- CSM has continually increased the level of excellence in the design and construction of their hotels. In 1998 they received Marriott's Construction Excellence award and since then has been instrumental in building and implementing a new prototype for Courtyard by Marriott hotels. 

The Depot -- CSM's largest project to date, which opened this year, is The Milwaukee Road Depot, located in downtown Minneapolis. Built in 1899, the Milwaukee Road Depot is a historical landmark that has sat empty and unused for 20 years. CSM Corporation has restored the building to its original beauty, while at the same time expanding the complex to include: two hotels, an indoor water park, an enclosed year-round ice skating rink under the Depot's original train shed, Charley's Restaurant, Stone Arch Bar, 60,000 square feet of meeting and special event space and heated, underground parking.  The hotels include a 227-room Courtyard by Marriott with 23 historic one-of-a-kind specialty suites with upgraded amenities and a 130-suite Residence Inn by Marriott with studio, one-and two-bedroom suites with fully equipped kitchens.

Just a few blocks away in the Minneapolis Historic Warehouse District is another recently opened CSM-built and owned hotel, TownePlace Suites by Marriott. TownePlace Suites is an apartment-style hotel for travelers in need of extended stay options. A shuttle service will connect the Depot hotels with TownePlace Suites, allowing its guests access to the amenities of the Depot Complex.

About CSM

CSM Corporation, founded in 1976, is headquartered in St. Paul, Minn. CSM Corporation, owned by Gary S. Homes, is engaged in the development and management of real estate. CSM and it's affiliates are currently the owners, management and leasing agents for more than 4,500 apartment and town home units, thirty hotels, twenty-one shopping centers and more than 10 million square feet of office and warehouse space. In 2000 and 2001 it was named Marriott's Developer of the Year for their successful growth and operations management of Marriott hotels.