Knights Inn
Encyclopedia
Knights Inn is an economy/budget hotel chain owned by Wyndham Worldwide
and based in Parsippany, New Jersey. Key features include free parking, handicapped-accessible rooms, a continental breakfast, and highway access at most locations. Each Knights Inn originally had one-story units with all-exterior corridors and medieval-inspired architecture, but the chain no longer
applies those features to new properties. Knights Inns originally also had notable use of flowers and other landscaping.
Knights Inn started in Columbus, Ohio
when its first location opened in 1974. The Columbus-based Cardinal Industries, Inc.
, former manufacturer of prefabricated buildings such as apartments and motels, developed the chain. In 1991, Hospitality Management Systems acquired the Knights Inn franchise and management contract rights from Cardinal Industries, which had entered bankruptcy. During the bankruptcy, before the HMS purchase, Motel 6
bought many locations as a quick way to add motels where it had a need (Philadelphia, Baltimore, Hagerstown, Knoxville, Orlando). These motels either still exist or have been rebuilt. Cendant
purchased Knights Inn in 1995. At this same time, the sister brands of Knights Inn, such as Arborgate Inns, Knights Stop, and Knights Court changed their properties' names to Knights Inn. Knights Court was the full-service variant, Knights Stop was the no-frills, economy variant, and Arborgate Inns were found in urban or high-traffic areas. In 2004, Cendant merged Knights Inn with another brand under its ownership, Villager Inn.
Cendant spun off its hotel properties as Wyndham Worldwide in 2006. As of November 2007, there were 225 properties currently open in the United States
and Canada
.
Wyndham Worldwide
Wyndham Worldwide is the holding company for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Group RCI and other lodging brands. It was spun off from Cendant Corporation in July 2006....
and based in Parsippany, New Jersey. Key features include free parking, handicapped-accessible rooms, a continental breakfast, and highway access at most locations. Each Knights Inn originally had one-story units with all-exterior corridors and medieval-inspired architecture, but the chain no longer
applies those features to new properties. Knights Inns originally also had notable use of flowers and other landscaping.
Knights Inn started in Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
when its first location opened in 1974. The Columbus-based Cardinal Industries, Inc.
Cardinal Industries, Inc.
Cardinal Industries, Inc. was a corporation headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, United States. Established in 1954, it produced manufactured housing, including thousands of apartments in the United States. These one-story apartments were assembled on-site from 12 foot by 24 foot modules...
, former manufacturer of prefabricated buildings such as apartments and motels, developed the chain. In 1991, Hospitality Management Systems acquired the Knights Inn franchise and management contract rights from Cardinal Industries, which had entered bankruptcy. During the bankruptcy, before the HMS purchase, Motel 6
Motel 6
Motel 6 is a major chain of budget motels with more than 1,000 locations in the United States and Canada, and is the largest owned and operated hotel chain in North America. It is owned and operated by Accor Hotels.-History:...
bought many locations as a quick way to add motels where it had a need (Philadelphia, Baltimore, Hagerstown, Knoxville, Orlando). These motels either still exist or have been rebuilt. Cendant
Cendant
Cendant Corporation was a New York-based provider of business and consumer services, primarily within the real estate and travel industries. In 2005 and 2006, Cendant broke up and spun off or sold its constituent businesses...
purchased Knights Inn in 1995. At this same time, the sister brands of Knights Inn, such as Arborgate Inns, Knights Stop, and Knights Court changed their properties' names to Knights Inn. Knights Court was the full-service variant, Knights Stop was the no-frills, economy variant, and Arborgate Inns were found in urban or high-traffic areas. In 2004, Cendant merged Knights Inn with another brand under its ownership, Villager Inn.
Cendant spun off its hotel properties as Wyndham Worldwide in 2006. As of November 2007, there were 225 properties currently open in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.