US chain in deal to end four-year race case

US hotel chain Adam's Mark is in hot water again over a controversial race-discrimination case in which one of its hotels was accused of discriminating against black guests and charging them higher rates.

The 24-strong chain, which has always maintained its innocence, is reported to have persuaded the US Department of Justice to consider bringing the case to an end two years early. The case was due to last four years.

After the accusations against the Adam's Mark hotel in Daytona Beach, Florida, the company agreed to a four-year deal, including donating money to black colleges, revising its policies, arranging independent diversity monitoring and paying money to those guests who complained.

If US assistant attorney general Ralph Boyd is impressed enough by the company's behaviour since the deal was made, he may decide to end the discrimination case early, according to the Washington Post.

Adam's Mark and the US Justice Department refused to comment on the reports.