The settlement is the largest in hospitality industry annals, according to Florida Attorney General Bob Butterworth, one of the plaintiffs in a suit that has drawn unwanted international attention to theMissouri-based hotel organization.

The largest race discrimination settlement on record involving a commercial establishment is the $54.7 million Denny's restaurant chain paid in 1994, according to Butterworth.

While agreeing to the settlement, Adam's Mark denies a laundry list of allegations cited in lawsuits filed last year by the U.S. Justice Department, the Florida Attorney General, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and five African-American guests who stayed at the 300-room, 14-story Adam's Mark hotel in Daytona Beach during Black College Reunion Week.