ROCKVILLE, Md., June 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Owners and staff of the Liberty Hotel in Cleburne, Texas member of the upscale Ascend Hotel Collection are taking Texas-sized pride in their latest achievement: the Liberty has been named 2013 Ascend Hotel Collection Hotel of the Year by Choice Hotels International, Inc. (CHH), one of the world's largest hotel companies. The prestigious award was presented in Los Angeles during the 59th Choice Hotels International annual convention.

"The Hotel of the Year award goes to those at the pinnacle of lodging excellence," said Michael Murphy, senior vice president of upscale brands for Choice Hotels International. "The Liberty Hotel has demonstrated a drive to be the very best, offering unrivaled customer service and exceptional experiences for its guests."

"We are extremely honored by this award," said Liberty general manager Ron Lindsey. "Our guests tell us that staying at the Liberty Hotel is a special experience, like stepping into history but with all the modern luxuries. Our staff takes great pride in getting to know every guest and their preferences, creating a unique and wonderful experience during each and every visit."

The hotel originally opened in 1924 but had fallen into terrible disrepair. As a matter of local community pride, owners Howard and Scott Dudley renovated the building, restoring it to its former glory. Its spacious and elegant lobby features a custom-made chandelier casting soft light over the original black and white terrazzo flooring, welcoming guests into a warm and inviting seating area.

Visitors to the 50-room hotel can enjoy dozens of local attractions, including Johnson County Courthouse, Dinosaur Valley State Park, Cleburne State Park, Layland Museum, Cleburne Sports Complex and Splash Station Water Park. Shopping is within walking distance, and guests will find the next-door (and also newly renovated) Caddo Street Grill to be the perfect place to relax with a delicious meal or refreshing drink.

Each distinctive room at the Liberty Hotel is tastefully designed using 29 different floor plans. Guests can enjoy a free, deluxe continental breakfast, high-speed Internet access, fitness center, business center, seasonal outdoor pool and a meeting room, perfect for hosting a variety of functions.

Every year, the Choice Hotels Owners Council presents the Hotel of the Year Award to a property that consistently demonstrates lodging excellence. Nominees for this prestigious award all rank among the top hotels within the brand.

About Choice Hotels

Choice Hotels International, Inc. franchises over 6,200 hotels, representing more than 500,000 rooms, in the United States and more than 30 other countries and territories. As of March 31, 2013, 395 hotels, representing more than 30,000 rooms, were under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in the United States. Additionally, 81 hotels, representing approximately 7,000 rooms, were under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in more than 20 other countries and territories. The company's Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn brands, as well as its Ascend Hotel Collection membership program, serve guests worldwide.

Additional corporate information may be found on the Choice Hotels International, Inc. website, which may be accessed at http://www.choicehotels.com.

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The Liberty Hotel of Cleburne, Texas Earns Prestigious Honor