Our Story
It all started in 1941, when seven motor court (motel) owners in Florida met and decided they could be more successful working together, establishing high standards for service and quality and helping each other to fill their rooms. More and more owners joined, and pretty soon we were one of the most successful hotel companies in the world — and we intend to stay that way.
You don't get to be this successful without also being an innovator. Throughout our history, Choice has been one of the industry's most influential forces shaping the guest experience. And it's the ingenuity of our associates that drives that innovation.
Rollover the years below to see what we mean.
1941 First to create a hotel chain
1941 First to inspect member properties for standards
1951 First to require wall-to-wall carpeting
1951 First to offer 24-hour desk service and in-room telephones
1963 First to guarantee reservations
1970 First to offer 24-hour-a-day, toll-free reservations
1981 First to segment in the lodging industry, separating hotels into luxury, mid-priced and budget brands
1983 First to develop a global marketing/reservation system
1984 First to offer non-smoking rooms in every hotel
1992 Choice Hotels becomes the largest franchise hotel chain in the world.
1995 First to provide real-time access to reservation systems via the Web
2005 Choice launches a new select service, upscale brand, Cambria Suites.
2006 Choice introduces gift cards to drive sales at midscale properties
2007 Our Choice Privileges incentive program surpasses the 5,000,000-member mark
