NEWS FROM PREMIER INN

UK FIRST AS PREMIER INN REACHES 40,000 rOOMs

Premier Inn has announced it has reached 40,000 rooms in its portfolio (12^th March 2009), with its latest opening in Chester City Centre.

The Whitbread-owned brand, which is Britain’s largest and fastest growing hotel provider is the first in the UK to achieve this milestone and earmarks a landmark in the hotel sector.

Patrick Dempsey, Managing Director of Whitbread Hotels and Restaurants, says, “We are delighted to reach this landmark as it further demonstrates our industry leading position, and means we are on track to achieve our target of offering 55,000 rooms in the next five years.”

The 40,000^th room comes as part of the new 120 bed Premier Inn Chester City Centre, which is located right in the town centre, making it perfect for leisure or business guests.

Each Premier Inn room caters for up to two adults and two children (aged 15 and under) and includes an en-suite bathroom with shower and bath; a king-size bed with luxurious duvet; remote control TV with Freeview; tea/coffee making facilities, and a spacious desk area with WiFi internet access.

Premier Inn is renowned for its quality and value and even offers customers a ‘Good Night Guarantee’ – if you don’t get a good night’s sleep you get your money back – an offering which is unique amongst Britain’s leading hotel chains.

-Ends-

For further information please contact:

Frank PR 0207 693 6999 or e-mail premierinn@frankpr.it

Notes to Editors:

About Premier Inn…

Premier Inn, is the UK’s largest and fastest-growing hotel brand with 572 budget hotels and more than 40,000 rooms across the UK. Premier Inn bedrooms feature en-suite bathroom, TV, and internet access for business guests. Premier Inn offers customers a ‘Good Night Guarantee’ of a good quality room, comfortable surroundings and friendly service, which is unique amongst Britain’s leading hotel chains.

Premier Inn was the first Britain-wide hotel group to sign up with national tourist board VisitBritain; this means Premier Inn is now part of a new quality assessment scheme, specially created for budget accommodation.

A joint venture with Emirates has seen the Premier Inn brand develop in the Gulf region, with its first budget hotel in Dubai in Spring 2008. Premier Inn also has a joint venture with Emar-MGF to roll out 80 budget hotels in India by 2017. On a domestic front, Premier Inn is set to be the largest provider of budget hotels in London by the time of the 2012 Olympics.

Premier Inn has won the following awards:

• Best Budget Hotel at the Business Traveller Awards 2008

· Leading Economy brand in the JD Power European Economy Hotel Guest Satisfaction Survey 2008

· Most improved brand by the BDRC British Hotel Guest Survey 2008.

• Winner of the HolidayCheck Awards 2008
• Best Business Hotel Chain at the Business Travel World Awards 2008 and 2009
• Hotel and Leisure Award at the Customer satisfaction awards run by the Institute of Customer service.

For more information or to book a room at Premier Inn please visit www.premierinn.com