RFS HOTEL INVESTORS INC
EXHIBIT 10.1(A)
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<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 10.1(A)
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<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Exhibit 10.1(a)    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>NOTE  </B></FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="49%"><FONT SIZE=2>$25,000,000.00</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>October&nbsp;31, 2002</FONT></TD>
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<P><FONT SIZE=2>RFS
Partnership, L.P., a Tennessee limited partnership (the "Borrower"), promises to pay to the order of Bank of America, N.A. (the "Lender") the principal sum of Twenty-Five Million and
No/100ths Dollars ($25,000,000.00), in immediately available funds at the main office of Bank of America, N.A. in Dallas, Texas, together with interest on the unpaid principal amount hereof at the
rates and on the dates set forth in the Agreement (as hereinafter defined). The Borrower shall pay the remaining unpaid principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on this Loan in full on the
Facility Termination Date. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>The
Lender shall, and is hereby authorized to, record in accordance with its usual practice, the date and amount of each Loan and the date and amount of each principal payment hereunder. </FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2>This
Note is one of the Notes issued pursuant to, and is entitled to the benefits of, the Sixth Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement among the Borrower, Bank of America, N.A., individually
as a Lender and as Agent, Banc of America Securities LLC, and the other Lenders named therein, dated
as of the date hereof (the "Agreement"), to which Agreement reference is hereby made for a statement of the terms and conditions governing this Note, including the terms and conditions under which
this Note may be prepaid or its maturity date accelerated. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein are used with the meanings attributed to them in the Agreement. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>If
there is an Unmatured Default or Default under the Agreement or any other Loan Document and Agent exercises the remedies provided under the Agreement and/or any of the Loan Documents for the
Lenders, then in addition to all amounts recoverable by the Agent and the Lenders under such documents, the Agent and the Lenders shall be entitled to receive on demand reasonable attorneys fees and
expenses incurred by Agent and the Lenders in connection with the exercise of such remedies. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>The
Borrower and all endorsers severally waive presentment, protest and demand, notice of protest, demand and of dishonor and nonpayment of this Note, and any and all lack of diligence or delays in
collection or enforcement of this Note, and expressly agree that this Note, or any payment hereunder, may be extended from time to time, and expressly consent to the release of any party liable for
the obligation secured by this Note, the release of any of the security for this Note, the acceptance of any other security therefor, or any other indulgence or forbearance whatsoever, all without
notice to any party and without affecting the liability of the Borrower and any endorsers hereof. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This
Note is issued in renewal, extension, substitution and rearrangement (but not in satisfaction) of that certain Note in the stated principal amount of $25,000,000.00, dated
July&nbsp;16, 2001, executed by the Borrower and payable to the order of the Lender. </FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2>This
Note shall be governed and construed under the internal laws of the State of Tennessee. </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>1</FONT></P>

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<P><FONT SIZE=2>IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrower has executed this Note under seal as of the date first written above. </FONT></P>

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<TD COLSPAN=2><FONT SIZE=2>RFS PARTNERSHIP, L.P.</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="8%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="8%"><FONT SIZE=2>By:</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="51%"><FONT SIZE=2>RFS HOTEL INVESTORS, INC.</FONT><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Its General Partner</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="39%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="8%"><FONT SIZE=2>By:</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="51%"><FONT SIZE=2>/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>KEVIN M. LUEBBERS</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="8%"><FONT SIZE=2>Name:</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="51%"><FONT SIZE=2>Kevin M. Luebbers</FONT><HR NOSHADE></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="39%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="8%"><FONT SIZE=2>Title:</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="51%"><FONT SIZE=2>Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer</FONT><HR NOSHADE></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="39%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="8%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="42%"><FONT SIZE=2>[CORPORATE SEAL]</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="13%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="42%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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<TD COLSPAN=2><FONT SIZE=2>Notice Address:</FONT></TD>
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<TD COLSPAN=2><FONT SIZE=2>850 Ridge Lake Blvd., Suite 300<BR>
Memphis, Tennessee 38120</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="13%"><FONT SIZE=2>Attention:</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="42%"><FONT SIZE=2>Kevin Luebbers</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="42%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="13%"><FONT SIZE=2>Telephone:</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="42%"><FONT SIZE=2>901-767-7005</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="42%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="13%"><FONT SIZE=2>Facsimile:</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="42%"><FONT SIZE=2>901-818-5260</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="42%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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