$1.3-billion

Following the divestment, Accor is refocusing on a single brand, Motel 6, a leading economy hotel chain in the US, which operates 928 hotels across North America. The chain enjoys very high brand recognition and a unique positioning, established more than 30 years ago, as offering "the best price of any national chain," according to Accor.

Regarding this operation, Gilles Pélisson, CEO of Accor, notes that "the US is a key market for us. With the ambition of being the world leader in economy and budget hotels, Accor plans to step up development of Motel 6 by opening more than 200 units in the US and Canada by 2010."

Global Special Situations Group is part of New York City-based Citigroup Global Market Holdings Inc. Westbridge is a partnership between Westmont Hospitality Group and several Canadian pension fund managers including Cadim Inc. Accor operates in 100 countries and its hotel brands include Sofitel, Novotel, Mercure and Motel 6. Accor's financial advisor on the transaction was Bank of America. Accor could not be reached for comment by deadline.

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Natalie Dolce

Natalie Dolce, editor-in-chief of GlobeSt.com and GlobeSt. Real Estate Forum, is responsible for working with editorial staff, freelancers and senior management to help plan the overarching vision that encompasses GlobeSt.com, including short-term and long-term goals for the website, how content integrates through the company’s other product lines and the overall quality of content. Previously she served as national executive editor and editor of the West Coast region for GlobeSt.com and Real Estate Forum, and was responsible for coverage of news and information pertaining to that vital real estate region. Prior to moving out to the Southern California office, she was Northeast bureau chief, covering New York City for GlobeSt.com. Her background includes a stint at InStyle Magazine, and as managing editor with New York Press, an alternative weekly New York City paper. In her career, she has also covered a variety of beats for M magazine, Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel, FashionLedge.com, and Co-Ed magazine. Dolce has also freelanced for a number of publications, including MSNBC.com and Museums New York magazine.