Holiday Proposal

BETHESDA, Md., Aug. 25 /PRNewswire/ — Marriott International, Inc. announced today’s opening of the 162-suite Residence Inn by Marriott in Oxon Hill, Prince Georges County, Maryland. Located at 192 Waterfront Street, the Residence Inn National Harbor Washington, D.C. will operate as a Marriott managed property and is owned by Integrated Capital, LLC, of Los Angeles, Calif. - the company’s eighth Marriott-branded hotel.
Located just south of Washington, D.C. and a short drive from Alexandria, VA, the Residence Inn National Harbor Washington, D.C. is part of the new National Harbor community, where visitors will find numerous businesses, popular restaurants and specialty shops within walking distance. The hotel also offers convenient access to Andrews Air Force Base, Nationals Stadium and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
“We are pleased to introduce Residence Inn hotels in the Oxon Hill area,” said Tim Sheldon, senior vice president, brand management, extended stay for Marriott International. “This new hotel was designed to be a home away from home and provides a residential atmosphere and spacious accommodations for guest comfort.”
“We are thrilled to partner with Marriott once again,” said Kenneth Fearn, founder of Integrated Capital, LLC and a shining example of Marriott’s Diversity Ownership Initiative . “Marriott has the best hotel ownership program in the hospitality industry and more importantly, our values of diversity and inclusiveness are aligned. It’s truly a great partnership.”
The Residence Inn National Harbor Washington, D.C. showcases contemporary decor and finishes that reflect the comforts and luxuries of a modern American home. Each suite features a multi-functional living area with 32-inch high definition flat panel LCD television; fully equipped kitchen with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. The hotel offers daily housekeeping services, complimentary grocery shopping services, luxury bedding, free high-speed Internet access and same-day dry cleaning service.
A complimentary hot breakfast buffet, HomeTouch is available each morning in the lobby area. Other hotel facilities and services include an indoor swimming pool, billiards room, exercise room, a bar/restaurant serving drinks and light fare, weeknight social hour, a patio equipped with a gas fire pit that overlooks the Potomac River and a business center. The hotel also offers 1425 square feet of meeting space to accommodate small meetings and functions of up to 110 people.
A leader in extended-stay lodging, Residence Inn offers more than 550 hotels in 47 states, the District of Columbia, Canada and Mexico. Residence Inn participates in the company’s award-winning Marriott Rewards program, which enables members to earn their choice of points toward free vacations or frequent flyer mileage in their preferred airline program for dollars spent at more than 2,500 Marriott hotels in 56 countries.
For more information or reservations, call the Residence Inn National Harbor Washington, D.C. hotel directly at 301-749-4755, the Residence Inn toll-free number at 800-331-3131, a travel agent or visit the Web site at , in-national-harbor-washington-dc/ (Due to the length of the URL please copy and paste into browser).
Visit for Marriott International, Inc.’s company information.
Marriott International, Inc.

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SEATTLE, Aug. 25 /PRNewswire/ — Inn at the Market, Seattle’s premier intimate boutique hotel located in the historic Pike Place Market, has been awarded two prestigious honors in travel Leisure’s 2008 World’s Best Awards, announced earlier this month.
The hotel was ranked as the fourth best hotel in the world under $250/night, and the 44th best hotel in the Continental U.S. and Canada — the only Seattle hotel to be honored by travel Leisure.
Inn at the Market’s rankings were highlighted in the August 2008 issue of travel Leisure, and voted on by the publication’s well-traveled subscribers.
The 2008 honors for Inn at the Market compliment the hotel’s long legacy of award-winning recognition, including 12 previous honors from travel Leisure (2001-2007) and Conde Nast Traveler’s Gold List (1994-2008), among many other industry awards.
“We are thrilled to be honored once again by the readers of travel Leisure,” said David Watkins, general manager of Inn at the Market. “This is one of the top honors in the travel industry. To be the only Seattle hotel to be ranked in top 100 throughout the Continental U.S. and Canada is tremendous, and to be regarded as the fourth best hotel value in the world means we’re continuing to provide an excellent hotel experience for our guests.”
The complete 2008 results, including the Top 100 Hotels Worldwide, Top 100 Hotels in the Continental U.S. Canada, and Top 10 Cities in the World, are featured at and in travel Leisure’s August 2008 issue.
About Inn at the Market
Inn at the Market, Seattle Washington’s premier small hotel located in the historic Pike Place Market is a 70-room boutique hotel that overlooks two jewels of the city: lovely Elliott Bay and the bustling Pike Place Market giving guests an experience they will never forget.
Guests and locals alike rate Inn at the Market as one of the top choices for friendly and welcoming staff, attentive service, and terrific downtown Seattle location. Boutique charm and a warm elegance are evident throughout the hotel, from the elegant lobby to the comfortable guestrooms.
Relax in a teak deck chair on the Inn’s private rooftop garden and soak up spectacular vistas of the pristine Olympic Range and glittering Elliott Bay. The Inn’s doors open upon a serene fountain courtyard surrounded by ivy-draped walls and boutiques and cafe restaurants of distinction in Seattle 00 including Campagne, an elegant and unpretentious oasis specializing in the cuisine of southern France.
For more information or reservations, contact the Inn at the Market at (206) 443-3600 or .
Media contact:
Scott Janzen
Janzen Public Relations
(206) 718-2356

Inn at the Market

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BETHESDA, Md., Aug. 21 /PRNewswire/ — Getting the CEO to gush about your hotel is every hotel manager’s dream. Today, J.W. Marriott, Jr., chairman and CEO, Marriott International, Inc. visited the newly reinvented Courtyard at Baltimore Washington International Airport to see the brand’s stylish and modern new lobby.
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“It’s a real transformation from a standard lobby, front desk and a few restaurant seats into a happening place,” said Bill Marriott. “It’s convenient and well-designed — the colors are warm, friendly and inviting. I think it’s a homerun.” Visit Bill Marriott’s blog — Marriott on the Move () — to see what else he has to say about the BWI Courtyard and to view pictures of his tour.
Courtyard by Marriott — the first lodging brand exclusively designed for business travel by business travelers, has completely redefined the hotel lobby experience. This Marriott “power brand” has designed the Courtyard lobby so it invites guests to get out of their rooms to work, socialize or for entertainment, whether traveling alone or with colleagues.
“From day one, Courtyard has prided itself as a brand that listens to what business travelers want from a hotel,” said Brian King, vice president, Global Brand Manager, Courtyard by Marriott. “Guests want more control and choice with services and amenities that create a healthy balance between working and relaxing.”
Courtyard by Marriott and its hotel owners and franchisees in the U.S. and Canada expect to introduce the new lobby concepts at approximately 30 more hotels this year and nearly 200 properties in 2009. Elements of the new lobby have also been implemented or will be implemented in Courtyard hotels in other countries.
The open, bright and contemporary new Courtyard hotel lobby welcomes guests with vivid contrasting colors, including blue, green, orange and red. The traditional front desk is replaced with separate welcome podiums. Flexible seating options range from a communal table in the middle of the action, to more private media booths with a high-definition televisions, to a more intimate, semi-enclosed lounge area.
A signature element of the new lobby is the exclusive Courtyard GoBoard(TM), a 52-inch LCD touch screen packed with local information, maps, weather, and news, business and sports headlines. Guests can navigate using the touch screen to find restaurants, local attractions and directions.
Guests can connect to free WiFi and there are ample electrical outlets throughout the lobby to power digital devices. The enlarged business library features several complimentary computer terminals along with a free printer and separate computer stations dedicated to printing airline boarding passes and checking flight status.
Dining has been completely redesigned with casual, flexible seating; easier access to food and higher quality, healthier menu options for breakfast; and light evening fare, including snacks, wine and beer so guests can unwind. The Market(TM), a 24/7 shop for snacks, beverages and sundries, is always open for late-night cravings or the toothpaste you forgot to pack.
Guests looking to take their minds off work can grab a snack, their favorite beverage and take a seat in front of the large high-definition television located in the lounge to watch a variety of programming, including top news, business, sports and entertainment channels.
Guests walking into the lobby will immediately notice individual welcome podiums designed to create more personal interactions between staff and guests when checking in. Courtyard staff will be able to move about to show guests the lobby features and provide assistance.
Check the list on gocourtyard.com to see where new lobbies have been introduced and where they will be in the future.
Courtyard by Marriott is the company’s largest brand with nearly 800 hotels worldwide. For more information or reservations, call the Courtyard toll-free number at 800-321-2211 or visit the web site at .
Our statements on expected investment spending by owners and franchisees and the anticipated renovation completion and opening dates for hotels are “forward looking statements” within the meaning of federal securities laws, and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those described in Marriott International, Inc.’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which could cause actual investment spending or renovation or opening dates to be different than expected.
Visit for Marriott International, Inc.’s company information.

Marriott International, Inc.

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NEW YORK, Aug. 20 /PRNewswire/ — Inc. today ranked iSeatz as No. 494 on its annual ranking of the 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in the country. The list is the most comprehensive look at the most important segment of the economy — America’s independent-minded entrepreneurs. Taken as a whole, these companies represent the backbone of the U.S. economy.
“Our second annual Inc. 5000 continues the most ambitious project in business journalism,” said Inc. 5000 Project Manager Jim Melloan. “The Inc. 5000 gives an unrivalled portrait of young, underreported companies across all industries doing fascinating things with cutting-edge business models, as well as older companies that are still showing impressive growth.”
Founded in New Orleans, iSeatz offers a highly customized travel and entertainment solution, comprised of a flexible booking engine and extensive network of sourced suppliers and Marketing Partners, that it individually designs and deploys for each of its clients. iSeatz has built innovative solutions for a range of global companies including Delta Air Lines, Northwest Airlines, Air Canada, Priceline.com, Southwest Airlines, MasterCard, Citi and Travelocity.com.
iSeatz is the only Louisiana-based company to make the top 500 ranking among all companies honored on the 2008 Inc. 5000 list. Additionally, iSeatz is ranked No. 59 in the Top 100 Business Services Companies category.
The 5000 companies that made the list reported aggregate revenue of $185 billion and median three-year growth of 147 percent. Most important, the 2008 Inc. 5000 companies were engines of job growth, having created more than 826,033 jobs since those companies were founded. Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and a list of the fastest-growing companies that can be sorted by industry and region can be found at .
Hottest Regions for Fastest-Growing Companies
The New York metro area tops the Inc. 5000 list with the most companies of any city with 355. Washington, D.C. comes in a close second with 300 companies on the list; Los Angeles comes in third with 244 companies, and Atlanta (194 companies) and Chicago (189 companies) round out the top five. Interestingly, only 62 companies on the Inc. 5000 are not based in metropolitan areas.
Grand Rapids, Mich. leads the list with the highest median revenue of any metro area ($26.2 million, 16 companies), followed by San Antonio, Texas ($21.3 million, 25 companies), Baton Rouge, La. ($18.8 million, 14 companies), Houston ($17.1 million, 97 companies), and Kansas City, Mo.-Kan. ($16.5 million, 39 companies).
Hottest Industries for Fastest-Growing Businesses
The most notable median growth categories among the Inc. 5000 fastest-growing businesses are in the Energy category (which grew by 298%), followed by Government Services (which grew by 220%), Security (200% growth), IT Services and Software (both grew by 187%), and Consulting (which grew by 182% on average).
The largest business category is IT Services, with 579 Inc. 5000 companies. Business Services (532 companies), Construction (459), Manufacturing (405), and Advertising & Marketing (361) complete the top five industries ranked on the 2008 Inc. 5000.
Industries reporting the highest median revenue are travel ($38.8 million), Financial Services ($16.3 million), Logistics ($15.4 million) Government Services ($14.2 million), and Energy ($14.2 million).
Methodology
The 2008 Inc. 5000 list measures revenue growth from 2004 through 2007. To qualify, companies must be U.S.-based and privately held, for profit, independent — not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies — as of December 31, 2007, and have had at least $200,000 in revenue in 2004, and $2 million in 2007.
Companies can apply for next year’s Inc. 5000 by registering with “IncBizNet, Business Network for Private Companies,” at .
About Inc.com
Inc.com, the daily resource for entrepreneurs, delivers how-to guides, advice, tools, breaking news, and rich multi-media to help business owners and CEOs start, run, and grow their businesses. Inc.com offers dynamic marketing solutions to help advertisers effectively reach Inc.com’s audience of business leaders. Visit .
About Inc. 500|Inc. 5000 Conference
Each year, Inc. magazine and Inc.com celebrate the remarkable achievements of today’s entrepreneurial superstars — the privately held small businesses that drive our economy. The Inc. 500|Inc. 5000 Conference brings together members of the Inc. 5000 community-both a new class of Inc. 5000 honorees and the list’s alumni-for three days of powerful networking, inspired learning, and momentous celebration. For the first time ever, this powerful networking event is open to all. Please join us September 18-20, 2008 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Washington, D.C. For more information or to register, visit or call us at 877-211-0489.
About iSeatz.com
iSeatz offers a highly customized travel and entertainment solution, comprised of a flexible booking engine and extensive network of sourced suppliers and Marketing Partners, that it individually designs and deploys for each of its clients. By serving as the seamless bridge between its top-tier clients and network of suppliers and Marketing Partners, the iSeatz solution enables clients to further differentiate their loyalty programs, generate ancillary revenue and power brand devotion. The iSeatz solution provides a single integration, enabling supplier direct-connects and immediate access to up to 60,000 global suppliers and products, and is delivered via a proprietary technology platform that drives repeat usage and advanced functionality. iSeatz also provides dedicated 24/7 multilingual customer support services to ensure satisfaction and productivity. To learn more about iSeatz.com visit .
iSeatz.com

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ATLANTA, Aug. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Lodgian, Inc. , one of the nation’s largest independent owners and operators of full-service hotels, today announced that John W. Allison has been elected to its board of directors.
With more than 24 years of banking experience, Allison is the founder and has been chairman of the board of Home BancShares since 1998. He also serves on the Executive Committee and the Asset/Liability Committee of Home BancShares.
Allison also served as chairman of First National Bank of Conway from 1983 to 1998, and as a director of First Commercial Corporation, a bank holding company, from 1985 until 1998. Prior to its sale to Regions Financial Corporation in 1998, First Commercial was a publicly traded company and the largest bank holding company headquartered in Arkansas, with approximately $7.3 billion in assets.
Lodgian is one of the largest independent owners and operators of full-service hotels in the United States. The company currently owns and manages a portfolio of 43 hotels with 7,921 rooms located in 23 states and Canada. Of the company’s 43-hotel portfolio, 23 are InterContinental Hotels Group brands (Crowne Plaza, holiday Inn, holiday Inn Select and holiday Inn Express), 12 are Marriott brands (Marriott, Courtyard by Marriott, SpringHill Suites by Marriott, Residence Inn by Marriott and Fairfield Inn by Marriott), three are Hilton brands, and four are affiliated with nationally recognized franchisors including Starwood, Wyndham, and Carlson. One hotel is an independent, unbranded property, which is currently closed and held for sale. For more information about Lodgian, visit the company’s Web site: .
Contact:
Debi Neary Ethridge
Vice President, Finance & Investor Relations

(404) 365-2719

Lodgian, Inc.

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SEATTLE, Aug. 19 /PRNewswire/ — Windstar Cruises, which operates a three-ship fleet of luxury yachts that explore hidden harbors and secluded coves of the world’s most treasured destinations, offers guests a unique opportunity to travel with world-renowned artist Jody Hewgill on a Barbados roundtrip sailing aboard Wind Surf, departing February 15, 2009.
Windstar’s Signature Collection Host Series features distinguished guests and lecturers throughout the 2009 season, beginning with Jody Hewgill; who will host an art exhibit, create sketches and talk to guests about her artistic process and techniques.
Jody Hewgill is a fine artist and illustrator whose clients include Rolling Stone magazine, Mondavi Wines and Time magazine. Her work has also graced the pages of previous Windstar Cruises Sailing Atlases. Hewgill’s paintings are among many public and private collections throughout Europe and North America, including the Library of Congress’ Permanent Poster Collection and the Centennial Olympic Games Museum in Atlanta. In addition to her painting and illustration work, Hewgill is currently teaching at the Ontario College of Art and Design in Toronto. For more information about Hewgill, please visit .
Wind Surf’s 7-day Barbados roundtrip itinerary includes ports in St. Kitts, Nevis, St. Martin, St. Barts, Guadeloupe, Iles des Saintes and St. Lucia. Cruise rates start at $2,499 per person, based on double occupancy.
Wind Surf accommodates 312 guests and offers deluxe, oceanview staterooms that include beds with luxury linens and mattresses, flat-screen TV and DVD player, Bose SoundDock speakers for Apple iPods, waffle-weave robes with slippers and sumptuous L’Occitane products. Suites also include an extra bath, TV and sitting area. Bridge Suites give guests the additional luxury of a spacious private living room and relaxing whirlpool spa. Culinary wonders abound in Wind Surf’s The Restaurant and Degrees enjoy live music in the Lounge and cocktails in the Terrace Bar. Water sports enthusiasts will appreciate Windstar’s complimentary waterskiing, windsurfing, sailing and kayaking from the ship’s water sports platform.
Windstar’s award-wining reputation for sophisticated, yet casual elegance has been recognized by some of the most notable names in the travel world. Celebrated Living, American Airlines’ prestigious publication for first class passengers, named Windstar Cruises “Best Small-Ship/Mid-Ship Cruise Line” on their 2008 Platinum List for the second time in a row. Readers of Porthole Cruise Magazine awarded Windstar “Most Romantic Cruise Line” and “Best Tall Ship” in the 9th Annual Readers’ Choice Awards. Windstar has also earned top honors in travel Leisure’s World’s 2008 Best Awards and was lauded among “The World’s Best Small Ships” by Conde Nast Traveler readers in 2008.
About Windstar Cruises
Windstar Cruises operates three sailing yachts known for their pampering without pretense and their ability to visit the hidden harbors and secluded coves of the world’s most treasured destinations. Carrying just 148 to 312 guests, the luxurious ships of Windstar cruise to nearly 50 nations, calling at 100 ports throughout Europe, the Caribbean and the Americas. For more information including rates and itineraries contact a professional travel agent or call Windstar at 1-800-258-7245. Visit Windstar Cruises online at .
Windstar is a division of Ambassadors International Cruise Group, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ambassadors Cruise Group, LLC.
For More Information:
Vanessa Bloy
Windstar Cruises

206.733.2970

Windstar Cruises

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CHANHASSEN, Minn., Aug. 18 /PRNewswire/ — Northcott Hospitality International, a privately held company with extensive holdings in the lodging and hospitality industries, announced today that it has commenced a search for a buyer. The Chanhassen, Minnesota-based company is the parent of the AmericInn(R) Lodging System which owns and franchises 216 hotel properties across the United States, as well as 21 Perkins(R) restaurants and four Houlihan’s(R) restaurants.
“We’re achieving great performance with strong prospects in all of Northcott’s business lines,” said Arnold Angeloni, CEO of Northcott Hospitality. “We’ve been doing very well in recent years, and are doing relatively well in 2008 even in the midst of a soft economy. We believe that Northcott Hospitality is well-positioned for current conditions and beyond.”
“Our decision to seek a buyer is not a business decision; it’s a financial and estate planning one,” Angeloni continued. “In early 2008, the trust that controls 100 percent of our parent company decided that it was in the best interests of its beneficiaries to diversify their personal assets. That decision has led to this effort to sell Northcott Hospitality International.”
The company has retained Greene Holcomb & Fisher, a Minneapolis-based investment banking firm, to evaluate the company and market it to potential buyers.
Angeloni noted that the AmericInn brand, which operates in the Midscale hotel segment has never been stronger: “AmericInn has a solid track record of growth and a pipeline of hotel projects in development,” he said. “We have a great franchisee community and our investment in a strong system-wide reservations system is a valuable asset. Most importantly, though, we have a sustainable, unique marketing advantage with our AmericInn SoundGuard(TM) construction that makes our hotel properties demonstrably quieter than others.”
The company expects the process of identifying prospective buyers to continue for a period of months. For more information, prospective buyers may contact .
About Northcott Hospitality
Northcott Hospitality International is a Minnesota-based company with headquarters in the Twin Cities’ suburb of Chanhassen. Privately held, Northcott has more than 30 years of franchised hospitality management experience and maintains a superior reputation for excellent service in the lodging and restaurant industries. Its holdings include the AmericInn chain of 216 hotels and Perkins and Houlihan’s restaurants strategically located across the United States.
About Greene Holcomb & Fisher
Greene Holcomb & Fisher is a Minneapolis-based private investment banking firm that specializes in sophisticated, independent mergers and acquisitions, private placements and financial advisory services for middle-market and growth companies. The firm’s senior professionals have completed over $40 billion in transactions for hundreds of leading public and private clients nationwide.
Northcott Hospitality International

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HOUSTON, Aug. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Continental Airlines announced travel options for customers whose flight plans may be affected by Tropical Storm Fay.
Weather conditions are expected to make air travel difficult throughout Florida. This forecast will force some delays and cancellations of flights at airports in the region through Wednesday.
To avoid inconvenience, travelers scheduled on flights through Aug. 20 may wish to delay commencement of their trip.
Customers ticketed for travel through Aug. 20 to or from certain affected airports in the region (see continental.com for applicable airports), are permitted a one-time date or time change to their flights without penalty for rescheduled travel originating by Aug. 27. If a flight has been canceled, a refund in the original form of payment can be requested.
The fastest and most convenient way to change travel plans is via continental.com. Customers should enter their confirmation number and last name in “Manage Reservations.” Customers may also call Continental Airlines reservations at 800-525-0280 or their travel agent. continental.com provides an overview of Continental operations as well as up-to-date information regarding the status of specific flights. Automated flight status information is also available at 800-784-4444.
Continental Airlines

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PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 15 /PRNewswire/ — Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. and Hersha Hospitality Management, L.P. (HHM) today announced the opening of the newly built Sheraton JFK Airport Hotel, a sleek, full service hotel located just one half mile from John F. Kennedy Airport. The 150-room property offers a welcoming ambience, sophisticated meeting facilities and upscale amenities designed to provide guests with a sense of belonging, warmth and community.
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The Sheraton JFK Airport offers complimentary shuttle service to and from JFK Airport offering convenient access to the heart of Manhattan and New York City’s most famous attractions. The Belmont Racetrack, Shea Stadium and the U.S. Open Tennis Center are also nearby.
The welcoming and energetic lobby at Sheraton JFK Airport hotel features the Sheraton brand’s latest design and amenities package, ranging from a beautiful fireplace to a Sheraton check-in kiosk where travelers can check in or out in less than a minute. The public area includes an indoor heated swimming pool and whirlpool plus “Rosemary’s Restaurant and Lounge,” which serves tasty American fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as a full menu of beer, wine and spirits. The hotel also offers a business center, sundry shop and state-of-the-art fitness center.
In their rooms, guests enjoy contemporary design and modern conveniences such as the Sheraton Sweet Sleeper(SM) bed, a spacious work area, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, and 32″ High-Definition LCD televisions. The hotel also offers a Club Floor with upgraded amenities and exclusive access to the Club Lounge, complete with complimentary breakfast, beverages and afternoon hors d’oeuvres.
“We are delighted to open and manage this beautiful property, which is the only new-build, upper upscale asset at one of the world’s business airports,” said Naveen Kakarla, Executive Vice President of Hersha Hospitality Management. “We are also proud to partner with Starwood to ensure superior guest service at their flagship property near John F. Kennedy Airport.”
“Sheraton is delighted to welcome travelers to this inviting hotel, where they can make connections in a lively, engaging environment,” said Hoyt Harper, Senior Vice President for Sheraton Hotels and Resorts. “Perfect for those traveling for business, Sheraton JFK Airport hotel emphasizes comfort and familiarity, providing guests with spacious accommodations, superior technology and personalized service.”
About Hersha Hospitality Management, L.P.
Hersha Hospitality Management provides hotel management and asset management services at over 60 upper upscale, upscale and mid-scale hotels in the most vibrant markets in the nation, including Boston, Hartford, New York City, New Jersey, Philadelphia and metro Washington D.C. Hersha Hospitality Management provides turnkey hotel management and asset management for properties with leading brand affiliations through Marriott, Starwood, Hilton and Intercontinental. Our highly experienced team is accustomed to serving as a fiduciary to publicly traded companies, joint ventures, institutional real estate owners and private investors. For more information, please visit
About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 900 properties in more than 100 countries and 155,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis(R), The Luxury Collection(R), W(R), Westin(R), Le Meridien(R), Sheraton(R), Four Points(R) by Sheraton, and the recently launched Aloft(SM), and Element(SM). Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit .
(Note: This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities regulations. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and involve risks and uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated at the time the forward-looking statements are made. These risks and uncertainties are presented in detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although we believe the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that our expectations will be attained or that results and events will not materially differ. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.)

Hersha Hospitality Management, L.P.

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NEW YORK, Aug. 13 /PRNewswire/ — Mr. Jean-Jacques Gauer, chairman of the executive committee of The Leading Hotels of the World, has announced that Paul M. McManus, president and chief executive officer of the organization, will assume the post of vice chairman of Leading Ventures, effective September 1, 2008. In this capacity, Mr. McManus will oversee the development of new business opportunities for the company, while continuing to serve as an active member of the board of The Leading Hotels of the World.
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“During the past decade under Paul’s masterful leadership, The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. has enjoyed record-breaking years in terms of growth, revenue and brand awareness,” said Mr. Gauer. “As we celebrate our 80th anniversary, we can thank him for transforming our company, and helping it attain the status of the premier full-service luxury brand that we enjoy today.”
At the same time, Mr. Gauer announced the appointment of Ted Teng as Mr. McManus’s successor and new president and chief executive officer of The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd., also effective September 1, 2008.
Mr. Teng brings with him thirty years of experience in the global hospitality industry. He currently manages his own hotel investment and operations firm, Prime Opus Partners, LP, which he founded in 2006. Prior to that, Mr. Teng was the president, chief operating officer of Wyndham International, Inc. where he oversaw the core branded hotel products, as well as the company’s third-party management operations, comprised of over 200 properties generating USD 2.5 billion in annual revenue.
Before joining Wyndham, Mr. Teng served as president, Asia-Pacific, for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., overseeing the integration of that company’s branded hotel operations in the region. He was responsible for the operating and financial performance of over 70 hotels and resorts in 17 countries. Mr. Teng was formerly the president of Asia-Pacific for Westin Hotels, where he was credited with having achieved significant growth in the number of hotels and unit operating margins. Previously, he was with ITT Sheraton, where he served for 14 years in a variety of senior and strategic capacities in operations, finance and development, in North America, Hawaii and Asia.
Mr. Teng is a graduate of the Cornell University School of hotel Administration, and he holds an MBA from the University of Hawaii. Born in Shanghai, China, he grew up in Hong Kong, and emigrated to the United States at age 13.
In making the announcement, Mr. Gauer said, “The board of directors has found Mr. Teng’s broad set of leadership skills, business acumen, and operating principles to be an excellent fit to maximize the opportunities for this global hospitality organization. We are confident in his abilities to expertly lead the next phase of the company’s significant growth through further strategic development and effective operational execution.”
According to the prior established succession plan, the search process for president and chief executive officer began in the fourth quarter of 2007 with a committee comprised of Mr. Gauer, Mr. McManus and select members of the board of directors of The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. Dennis P. O’Toole & Associates, Inc., a respected boutique search firm specialized in hospitality, was also engaged as part of the comprehensive process.
About The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd.
The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. is the prestigious luxury hospitality organization representing over 450 of the world’s finest hotels, resorts and spas, and is the operator of and - the online sources for your luxury lifestyle. As the largest international luxury hotel brand, the firm maintains offices in 26 major markets across the globe.
Since 1928, the company’s reputation for excellence derives from the exacting levels of quality it demands of its members, each of which must pass a rigorous, anonymous inspection covering 1,500 separate criteria.

The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd.

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