JHS Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE
May 27, 2008

Tuscaloosa's Only Full-Service Hotel to Unveil New Name and Major Renovations

Four Points by Sheraton to go Upscale and Independent in August 2008

Tuscaloosa, ALA. (May 27, 2008) - When former University of Alabama President G. H. Denny called the University "the Capstone of the public school system of the state" in 1913, the name stuck. Now, as the University's premier lodging choice undergoes a major renovation, it will officially adopt the name Hotel Capstone.

The Hotel Capstone, formerly the Four Points by Sheraton Tuscaloosa Capstone, will undergo $1.6 million in renovations and upgrades by its current owners and management company Birmingham-based Jackson Hospitality Services (JHS). The project will be completed by August 2008 and will possess a higher level of standard for guests.

As the only full-service hotel in Tuscaloosa and the premier lodging choice for visitors to the University of Alabama, the four-star hotel will be outfitted with a fresh, contemporary look. Renovations are set for the ballroom, restaurant, guestrooms and lobby, as well as the addition of a coffee shop - all extra amenities to make the hotel worthy of the four-star level.

"When we decided to build and operate Capstone in 1987, we recognized the importance this property has to the University of Alabama and Tuscaloosa," said Cory G. Jackson, Jr., president of JHS. "It is used for family lodging, town meetings, conference center lodging and more, so we decided to give it a face lift and make it worthy of all the important roles it plays in this community."

Hotel Capstone is located on the University of Alabama's beautiful campus in Tuscaloosa. The property works frequently with the University's Bryant Conference Center, located adjacent to the hotel and hosts many events and UA football team pep rallies throughout the year as well as family and friends visiting students.

"Jackson Hospitality Services has a long history with the University. With several key executives having graduated from UA, the company came in with a deep understanding of the traditions of the University as well as the true meaning of genuine Southern hospitality," said Barry Carden, general manager of Hotel Capstone. "The renovation will enhance the hotel with an updated style with Four Diamond qualifications. We are also planning to offer special packages to make staying at The Hotel Capstone an even more appealing option for out-of-town visitors."

When the renovation is complete, guests will enter through a lobby that will feature a contemporary, yet stylish charm. The public areas feature soft textures and a gentle color palette offering guests a feeling of comfort and warmth.

Elegant lighting fixtures will illuminate the modern lobby, and the newly renovated restaurant, Legends, follows suit with an American Bistro menu that will feature specialties such as Bananas Foster-stuffed French Toast, Fried Crimson Tomatoes and Legends' Signature Honey & Sweet Tea Brined Breast of Chicken. For between-meal treats, the new coffee shop will feature fresh-baked goods and a variety of coffees and teas.

The renovated spacious, guestrooms will be stylish and comfortable with contemporary furniture and a soothing color palette. They will be beautifully appointed with all the expected in-room amenities of a four-star hotel.

There will be ample parking, local shuttle services, an expanded fitness center and a new business center to supplement the meeting facilities.

For more information on the newly remodeled Hotel Capstone, please visit www.hotelcapstone.com.

About the Hotel Capstone

The Hotel Capstone will be a full-service hotel property located on the campus of the University of Alabama campus in Tuscaloosa. Jackson Hospitality Services (JHS) has provided professional management services since the hotel opening in 1987 and will continue to supervise daily management as the Hotel converts to The Hotel Capstone.

Currently, the Four Points by Sheraton has won seven AAA 4 Diamond awards, five Superior Guest Satisfaction Excellence awards, two West Alabama Tourism Inn of the Year awards and more. The hotel features 150 well-appointed guestrooms and over 8,300 square feet of meeting and event space on site, with an additional 30,000 square feet of space available at the adjacent Bryant Conference Center. The hotel also offers shuttle service within the Tuscaloosa area, an outdoor pool and nine golf courses within minutes of the property. For reservations or more information about Hotel Capstone, visit www.hotelcapstone.com.

Jackson Hospitality Services is a Birmingham-based hotel development and management company whose mission is to develop, own and manage outstanding hotels primarily in the Southeast region, focusing on a commitment to exceptional value for its stakeholders while upholding the Jackson reputation, pride, ethics and tradition. Visit: www.jacksonhospitality.com