Press Release
For Immediate Release:

Thursday, November 19, 2009 at Rapid City, South Dakota
The Hotel Alex Johnson Affiliates with The Ascend Collection and Begins Construction on New Seattle's Best Café

ISIS Hospitality is pleased to announce that The Hotel Alex Johnson will become a member of The Ascend Collection of hotels and resorts (www.ascendcollection.com). Ascend is a new hotel brand within Choice Hotels International and is comprised of some of the finest historic, unique and boutique hotels throughout the United States. Early next summer the hotel will officially become a member of the group after the comprehensive hotel renovations are completed. Ascend will provide The Alex Johnson with much greater traveler visibility, a world class reservations service through Internet, call center and other distribution channels, a well renowned frequent traveler rewards program and the cachet of belonging to such a reputable group of properties.

In addition to the affiliation with Ascend, the owners of The Alex Johnson have purchased a Seattle's Best Cafe franchise, which will occupy the previous Landmark Restaurant space. The interior of the old Landmark Restaurant has been demolished and construction will begin shortly on the new cafe, which will feature signature specialty coffee beverages, hot breakfast sandwiches, fresh pastries and a variety of warm sandwiches. The cafe will have free wireless Internet access and will feature a large private room for groups to utilize for both scheduled and impromptu meetings.

The multi-million dollar renovation of the entire hotel is well underway and everything will be completed by Memorial Day weekend 2010. All areas of the hotel, including the exterior, Paddy O'Neill's Pub, Ballroom, lobby, elevators, corridors, guest rooms and guest baths will be completely refurbished. All guest rooms will feature pillow top beds, new carpeting, new draperies, new furnishings, art work and lamps, 32" HDTV's with pay-per-view movies and high speed wireless Internet access. All guest room baths will receive new bathtubs, tile and fixtures. The lobby will feature custom carpeting, which replicates the original ceiling paintings, new furnishings and lamps, a new black granite top reception area and a lobby bar. Paddy's will receive a new hardwood floor, all new tables, chairs and bar stools and a copper top bar.