RALEIGH, NC--(Marketwired - Jan 13, 2014) - Home to one of the country's premier high-school basketball tournaments, Raleigh has witnessed the highs and lows of this annual event over the past 42 years. And while the locals have always offered a warm welcome to the teams that arrive from all over the U.S. and Canada, 2013's Holiday Invitational witnessed an exceptional surge in hospitality when the Residence Inn Raleigh Crabtree Valley and the Fairfield Inn & Suites Raleigh Crabtree Valley extended complimentary rooms to the teams.

The players could not have asked for better group accommodations in Raleigh. The spacious and well-appointed rooms let the players, many of whom were top performers according to ESPN rankings, focus on preparing for the games, which occurred between December 26 and 28, 2013. Those enjoying Residence Inn's extended-stay lodging in Raleigh, NC, for example, benefitted from amenities like full kitchens and complimentary grocery delivery, spacious suites that include sofa beds and a daily hot breakfast buffet, all of which kept them well-rested and energized for the tournament.

The Residence Inn, however, isn't the only hotel in Raleigh with free breakfast and spacious accommodations. The Fairfield Inn & Suites also provides its guests with complimentary hot breakfasts each morning, from take-away items to continental and hot choices. Plus its spacious suites and guest rooms are equipped with refrigerators, coffee/tea service and complimentary Internet for the ultimate in convenience. Both properties, meanwhile, offer fitness centers with cardiovascular equipment and free weights to keep their guests -- both pre-professional athletes and everybody else -- in top shape.

Because the hotels are located near NCSU in Raleigh, NC, the tournament players enjoyed easy access to the invitational at Broughton High as well as the campus of one of the three top universities that were recruiting at the game. And when the games ended each day, players could access the shopping and dining just minutes away from each conveniently located property.

While the Holiday Invitational has since concluded, and the offers from universities like NCSU, Duke and the University of North Carolina have been decided, the tournament participants have returned to their respective homes. But the memories engendered by each hosting hotel undoubtedly emerge as a highlight of the tournament experience for everyone.

About the Fairfield Inn & Suites Raleigh Crabtree Valley
Value and comfort unite at the Fairfield Inn & Suites Raleigh Crabtree Valley. While guests can indulge in complimentary hot breakfast and high-speed Internet access, they can also easily access universities like NCSU and business and entertainment destinations like State Farm Insurance, IBM and the Carolina Hurricanes' PNC Arena. Business travelers appreciate the guest rooms' two phones and voicemail, while the property's two meeting rooms can welcome groups of up to 40 people. In-room refrigerators and coffee/tea service complement the custom beds outfitted with thick mattresses and sumptuous linens. Plus a seasonal outdoor pool and fitness room help guests stay active at this pet-friendly Raleigh property.

About the Residence Inn Raleigh Crabtree Valley
Guests of the Residence Inn Raleigh Crabtree Valley benefit from thoughtful extended-stay accommodations and a location convenient to a number of area attractions. Carter Finley Stadium, North Carolina State University, Research Triangle Park and Crabtree Valley Mall, for example, are all just minutes away from this pet-friendly property. And when guests aren't exploring the nearby area, they can relax within the 112 suites that include full kitchens and on-site laundry facilities along with a fitness center, putting green, seasonal outdoor pool and exercise trail. The hotel's regular hosted evening socials are the perfect complement to business functions held nearby or within the property's three flexible meeting rooms. And the hotel's Market is available 24/7 for any cravings that strike after the complimentary hot breakfast buffet has concluded. Convenience, after all, reigns supreme at this comfortable, extended-stay property.