All About Clarion Hotels: An In-Depth Look at the Popular Chain‘s History, Ownership, and Offerings

Hey there! Looking to learn more about Clarion hotels? As an avid traveler myself, I appreciate a quality hotel that provides comfort, convenience, and reliability at a reasonable price. That‘s exactly what you can expect from Clarion, one of the largest midscale hotel brands with over 300 locations worldwide.

In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll give you a deep dive into Clarion‘s long history, ownership evolution, amenities, loyalty program, and more. Let‘s check in!

Clarion Brand is Owned by Massive Hospitality Company Choice Hotels

Clarion hotels are part of Choice Hotels International, headquartered in Rockville, MD. Here are some key facts about this major hospitality player:

• Founded in 1939 as Quality Courts United
• Rebranded to Choice Hotels International in 1972
• 11 hotel brands with over 7,000 properties globally
• Franchises hotels rather than directly owning/operating them
• Other brands include Comfort Inn, Quality Inn, EconoLodge

To give you a sense of scale, Choice Hotels opened its 7,000th property worldwide in 2021 – the Penn Amsterdam Hotel in the Netherlands. That‘s a huge footprint!

The Clarion brand itself launched in 1972. For over 30 years it was fully owned by Choice Hotels until a partial sale in 2004. After some additional transactions, Choice regained full ownership in 2012 and continues growing the brand today.

A Top Midscale Brand Offering Quality & Value

With its 300+ locations globally, Clarion competes in the midscale hotel segment against brands like Best Western Plus, La Quinta, Hampton Inn, and more. The midscale category aims to provide great amenities without the premium price tag.

Here‘s a peek at what you can expect when you stay at a Clarion hotel:

• Free hot breakfast with healthy options
• Free high-speed WiFi
• Coffee makers, mini-fridges, and microwaves in every room
• Fitness centers open 24/7
• Business centers with computers and printers
• Kids 17 and under stay free with an adult

And if you‘re bringing the whole family, Clarion has you covered. Many locations feature suites and connecting rooms to accommodate groups.

I‘ve assembled this comparison of included amenities across popular midscale brands:

As you can see, Clarion stacks up very well in terms of complimentary amenities to make your hotel stay more comfortable and convenient!

Major Investments to Upgrade the Clarion Experience

Back in 2014, Clarion rolled out a multi-year, multi-million dollar revitalization plan across the brand. This "Great Refresh" as they called it aimed to enhance the guest experience and modernize Clarion hotels.

Some of the improvements included:

• Redesigned, open lobby concepts
• Contemporary room decor with new bedding
• Expanded breakfast choices like yogurt parfaits
• Upgraded fitness centers
• 24/7 coffee stations in the lobby

Many locations also added amenities like evening receptions a few nights per week. This lets guests mingle and enjoy free snacks and beverages.

The renovations really helped evolve Clarion‘s offerings while staying true to their signature friendly service and comfortable vibe. It‘s clear they care about the total guest experience.

Loyalty Program Rewards Frequent Guests

Now, let‘s talk rewards! Like many hotel chains, Clarion has its own loyalty program called Choice Privileges. As a member, you earn points for future stays every time you book at Clarion, Comfort Inn, EconoLodge and other Choice brand hotels.

Here‘s a quick rundown:

• Earn 10 points per $1 spent
• Redeem points for free nights, gift cards, or airline miles
• Elite tiers offer added bonuses like early check-in
• Over 40 million members worldwide!

To give you a sense of how it works, 15,000 points would earn you a free night at a Clarion hotel. Choice Privileges also offers promotions where you can earn bonus points like 1,000 bonus points per stay. Those can really add up quick!

The program has three elite tiers—Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. You reach Gold status after just 10 nights. Higher tiers bring more perks like room upgrades, waived pet fees, and rollover night credits.

Overall, the program really rewards loyal guests. And with thousands of hotels participating across Choice‘s brands, there are endless opportunities to rack up points and bonuses.

Unique, Prominent Clarion Properties Worldwide

While every Clarion location aims to deliver a stellar experience, some hotels really stand out. Let‘s look at a few of their unique and notable properties:

Clarion Hotel Anaheim Resort – This massive hotel right near Disneyland offers family-friendly amenities like a waterpark, arcade, multiple pools, and kids suites. With almost 1,000 rooms, it‘s one of Clarion‘s flagship properties.

Clarion Hotel Stockholm Arlanda Airport – Providing convenience for travelers, this location is connected directly to Stockholm‘s Arlanda Airport terminal. The soundproofed rooms help you rest easy before your next flight.

Clarion Hotel & Suites Conference Center – Set on a scenic lakefront just outside Memphis, TN, this property has on-site meeting and event facilities perfect for conferences or weddings.

Clarion Hotel Makati – Located in the heart of the Makati business district in Manila, Philippines, this high-rise hotel caters to corporate travelers with business amenities.

Clarion Hotel & Suites Cozumel – On the beautiful island of Cozumel along the Caribbean Sea, this oceanfront resort offers family-friendly pools, beach access, and snorkeling opportunities just off-site.

Continued Expansion Plans in North America and Abroad

Clarion has some exciting growth and development plans in the works. In a 2018 announcement, Choice Hotels shared their goal of having over 400 Clarion hotels by 2022.

They are targeting locations in the U.S, Canada, Mexico, Scandinavia, and Southeast Asia for growth. President and CEO Pat Pacious explains, "We see a tremendous opportunity to expand our midscale presence and extend the Clarion brand globally."

Based on Clarion‘s track record, outstanding reputation, and Choice Hotel‘s phenomenal support, they are well on their way toward reaching that 400-location target. I can‘t wait to see what additional vibrant destinations they expand to next!

Affordable, Quality Hotels You Can Count On

When it comes down to it, Clarion offers the convenient amenities you want from a hotel, paired with warm service and thoughtful touches to make every guest‘s stay more enjoyable. The investments into updated facilities and free perks provide you great value.

With a trusted brand behind Clarion properties, you know you‘ll get a high standard of cleanliness, comfort, and reliability across locations. And as a midscale brand, rates are typically more budget-friendly than higher-end hotels.

Whether you‘re a frequent business traveler racking up loyalty rewards or a family looking for an affordable, comfortable stay on vacation, Clarion has you covered. I hope this detailed look gave you the insider perspective on what makes Clarion hotels special. Here‘s to happy travels ahead!