"Hawthorn is right for the needs of today's traveling public," said Brenda Spencer, director of sales at the new property, "and we look forward to providing the Orlando market with a quality extended-stay product."  As Hawthorn has been expanding rapidly to the nation's airports, additional properties are open or under development in Phoenix, Ariz., Chicago, Ill., Andover, Mass., Charlotte, N.C., Ft. Worth and San Antonio, Texas, and Herndon, Va.

Hawthorn Suites is targeted to business travelers attending training classes, handling long-term projects  or on other extended-stay travel, as well as to families relocating to a new city.  Hawthorn offers daily complimentary hot breakfast buffet and evening social hour Monday through Thursday, plus an array of all-inclusive guest amenities and
business services. The Hawthorn brand is franchised by Atlanta-based U.S. Franchise Systems (Nasdaq: USFS).

Hawthorn Suites in Orlando will feature three floors with 135 one- and two-bedroom suites.  Each suite will be equipped with a full kitchen, coffee-maker, two-line telephone with modem port, a working desk, voice mail, daily complimentary newspaper and extended cable television with movie channel and VCP.  In addition to complimentary breakfast and
social hour, the hotel offers an outdoor pool, exercise room, hot tub, barbecue area and meeting facilities.  There will also be an on-site convenience store, laundry and valet service and complimentary airport transportation. 

As of November 10, there were 217 Hawthorn properties open or under development. 

U.S. Franchise Systems, Inc. was formed in August 1995 by Mike Leven, a 38-year veteran of the lodging industry,
and Neal Aronson, former principal of a leading New York investment firm, when the company purchased the franchise system rights to Microtel Inn & Suites.  USFS acquired the franchise rights to Hawthorn Suites in 1996, and full ownership in March 1998.  The company also recently acquired the franchise rights to Best Inns & Suites.