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Heart of America Restaurants & Inns To Develop New Hotel In Des Moines

Iowa's largest hospitality developer, Heart of America Restaurants & Inns announced today the planned addition of an 83-room Des Moines Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott to their portfolio. The new project will be on the corner of Fleur Drive and Rittenhouse Road adjacent to the site of the company's Radisson Hotel Des Moines ?Airport and Johnny's Italian Steakhouse. The Fairfield will be built, owned and operated by Heart of America Restaurants & Inns, a Midwest Hospitality company founded by Mike Whalen in 1978.

"We are anxious to provide increased services and lodging opportunities to Des Moines' south side and airport area", says Mike Whalen, Founder & C.E.O. The Fairfield Inn and Suites franchise was chosen because of Marriott's strong name recognition and accompanying Marriott Rewards program, which is popular with frequent travelers. The hotel will include the complete offering of Marriott's recently unveiled Fairfield Inn & Suites prototype design. Amenities include an indoor swimming pool, whirlpool, fitness center, 24-hour business center and a mix of room and suite types including whirlpool suites. The entire hotel will offer free wireless internet service, food service from Johnny's Italian Steakhouse and shuttle service to the airport and downtown destinations. Construction on the new Fairfield Inn & Suites will start as soon as the project is approved and weather permits; the anticipate opening is early in 2007.

Hear of America Restaurants and Inns is an Iowa company, owning and operating 9 hotels and 17 restaurants in six Midwestern states. The company's other Des Moines area operations include the Iowa Machine Shed, Comfort Suites and Sleep Inn at Living History Farms and Wildwood Lodge in addition to the Radisson Hotel Des Moines Airport and Johnny's Italian Steakhouse.

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