Holiday Proposal

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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NEW YORK and SANTA MONICA, Calif., Aug. 14 /PRNewswire/ — Virtuoso, the leading luxury travel network, announced this month the addition of Virgin Charter () to its roster of world’s-best travel providers, which includes fellow Virgin Group companies, like Virgin Galactic, Virgin Atlantic Airways and Virgin Limited Edition. Virgin Charter makes it easy to find, book and manage charter flights on private jets online and offers the Virtuoso network’s only complete online solution for end-to-end private jet charters. Virtuoso advisors will have a dedicated toll-free number for 24/7 customer service by Virgin-trained specialists.
Through the Virgin Charter Marketplace, advisors will receive multiple quotes for each trip from hundreds of high-quality operators competing to earn their business. Virgin Charter only selects operators that represent the highest standards in safety, all of which are audited for safety by independent, internationally recognized third parties. In addition, Virgin Charter hired JD Power & Associates to create the industry’s first Quality Rating Program providing agents with information about the quality of the operator so they can make more informed decisions together with their clients.
“It’s an honor to have an industry leader like Virgin seek out the Virtuoso network to promote and sell their upscale travel products, and we are pleased to expand our relationship with Virgin through the addition of Virgin Charter,” says Matthew D. Upchurch, CEO of Virtuoso. “The complications currently associated with domestic air travel combined with airport congestion make private jet charters an increasingly more viable solution for our Member advisors and their discerning clientele. Virgin Charter shares our commitment to high standards, and complements our existing private jet product mix by offering our Members an innovative online option that facilitates finding and booking top quality charter flights.”
“We share Virtuoso’s commitment to serving as the gold standard in luxury travel,” said Scott Duffy, founder and CEO, Virgin Charter. “We look forward to offering our complete online solution and 24/7 client support to the Virtuoso network, making it easier than ever for their agents to find and book charter flights.”
Virgin Charter is the fourth company in the Virgin family to join the Virtuoso network. With the addition of Virgin Charter, Virtuoso’s expert travel advisors will build upon the successful relationships they already share with Virgin Limited Edition properties, Virgin Atlantic Airways and Virgin Galactic’s suborbital space tourism.
About Virtuoso
Virtuoso is the industry’s leading luxury travel network. This by-invitation-only organization comprises over 300 agencies with more than 6,000 elite travel specialists in 22 countries in North and South America, the Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand, as well as over 1,000 of the world’s best travel providers and premier destinations. The network’s member agencies generate over $5.1 billion annually in travel sales, making the group the most powerful in the luxury travel segment. Their relationships with the finest travel companies provide the network’s affluent clientele with exclusive amenities, rare experiences and privileged access. Virtuoso is the exclusive luxury travel network provider for World Elite(R) MasterCard(R). For more information, please visit .
About Virgin Charter
Virgin Charter () is an online marketplace for private air travel that makes it easier than ever to find and book charter flights on private aircraft from operators hand-picked for their exceptional safety and quality standards. Free to join, Virgin Charter’s technology solution allows clients to submit their trip request online, compare offers from top charter operators, select the best offer and buy it online. The company is privately held and headquartered in Santa Monica, Calif.
Virtuoso

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Dallas, July 21 /PRNewswire/ — Sophistication has been born anew in Uptown Dallas with the grand opening of The Stoneleigh hotel & Spa. Stylish, glamorous and thoroughly transformed through a recent $36 million renovation, the historic boutique hotel dazzles with enhanced comforts and amenities including, newly renovated guest rooms, a new full-service spa, a new signature restaurant, Bolla, from renowned Chef David Bull, and a dramatic penthouse re-designed by Carleton Varney of Dorothy Draper & Company.
Indulge in a Dallas Does Decadence Debut Package featuring:

— Deluxe accommodations with Champagne upon arrival
— Complimentary room upgrade upon availability
— Two tickets to The Dallas Museum of Art with chauffeured transportation
— Tour of the Flagship Neiman Marcus with VIP Personal Shopper
— Neiman’s Goodie Bag (valued at $50.00)
— Package starts at $239.00 per night

Package is based on double occupancy and exclusive of tax, gratuity and parking. For details or to make reservations, contact (800) 921-8498 or visit .
The two-story Penthouse has been redesigned by renowned designer Carleton Varney. Originally the private residence of former owner Colonel Harry Stewart, the Penthouse featured hidden rooms and passageways and design by the acclaimed Dorothy Draper. Today, the Penthouse has been transformed into a series of private event spaces, including a Bridal Suite, Presidential Suite, Gallery, Music Room, Dining Room, Library and Terrace Suite featuring an expansive private rooftop terrace. The penthouse showcases signature Draper colors of brilliant reds, aqua blue, black and gold, elegant fabrics and hand-painted wall coverings. A stone fireplace, inlaid wood, and 500-year-old wood panels are some of the exquisite architectural details that were retained from the original design.
The Stoneleigh’s new interiors, designed by ForrestPerkins, maintain the building’s Art Deco-splendor while introducing a new level of sophistication. The revitalized lobby features sparkling crystal chandeliers, lavish jewel-toned fabrics, and elegant custom-designed furniture. Select Tribute Suites memorialize some of the hotel’s noteworthy guests including Elvis Presley, Judy Garland and Oliver Stone.
The renovation also includes the construction of The Heritage at The Stoneleigh Hotel, an adjacent 22-floor luxury high rise with one-, two- and three-bedroom custom homes and penthouse suites surrounded by landscaped gardens, a courtyard and pool.
The Stoneleigh hotel & Spa

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SPOKANE, Wash., Aug. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Red Lion Hotels Corporation announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Preferred hotel Group to provide Red Lion R&R Club members access to more than 450 independently owned luxury hotels and resorts worldwide. Red Lion R&R Club members will soon be able to redeem points at Preferred hotel Group hotels and resorts in exciting destinations around the world.
“Since launching the Red Lion R&R Club in February 2008, Red Lion has focused on making its new redemption program both easier to use and more rewarding for its members,” said Namrata Patel, Director of Marketing for Red Lion Hotels. “Every aspect of the newly formed Red Lion R&R Club has been refined to provide guests with consistently uncomplicated and genuine service. This exciting redemption opportunity is another new benefit for our members, To celebrate this alliance, redemption levels for stays at Preferred hotel Group properties around the world will start at a special introductory level of 30,000 points.”
The Preferred hotel Group family of brands represents the finest collection of independently owned and managed hotels and resorts in over 75 countries around the world. Brands participating in the Red Lion R&R Club redemption program include: Preferred Hotels(R) & Resorts, Preferred Boutique(TM), Summit Hotels & Resorts(TM), and Sterling Hotels(TM) brands.
“Red Lion Hotels is proud to be associated with Preferred hotel Group,” said Anupam Narayan, President and Chief Executive Officer, Red Lion Hotels. “This agreement adds value to the hotels in both organizations and it gives our Red Lion R&R Club members another value-added benefit.”
The Red Lion R&R Club was launched earlier this year and membership has grown substantially. Enrollment and other information about the Red Lion R&R Club can be found at . For more information about the program’s redemption options, members can call Red Lion R&R Club Member Service Center 24-hours a day, seven days a week. To redeem their points for Preferred Hotels and Resorts stays, members would call the toll-free number for the Red Lion R&R Club Member Service Center at 888-666-0563.
About Red Lion Hotels Corporation:
Red Lion Hotels Corporation is a hospitality and leisure company primarily engaged in the ownership, operation and franchising of upscale and midscale hotels under its Red Lion(R) brand. As of March 31, 2008 the RLH hotel network was comprised of 53 hotels located in nine states and one Canadian province, with 9,266 rooms and 441,640 square feet of meeting space. The company also owns and operates an entertainment and event ticket distribution business. For more information, please visit the company’s website at .
About Preferred hotel Group:
Preferred hotel Group is proud to be celebrating 40 years as global leader in the hospitality industry, delivering high-performance sales, marketing, and technology solutions to 600 independent hotels and resorts in more than 65 countries. Its family of brands represents a collection of the finest hotels in the world and includes Preferred Hotels(R) & Resorts, (); Preferred Boutique (); Summit Hotels & Resorts (); and Sterling Hotels (), and now Historic Hotels of America (). For more information please visit .
Contact:

Red Lion Hotels Corporation
Namrata Patel, Director of Marketing
(509) 777-6326

Public Relations:
WongDoody
Sally Ghalayini, Associate / Public Relations
(206) 624-5325

Red Lion Hotels Corporation

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LOS ANGELES, Aug. 7 /PRNewswire/ — As American travelers are re-considering their annual European vacation plans - deterred by a miserable exchange rate, skyrocketing hotel prices and expensive restaurants - a new website provides a sunny alternative demonstrating that in Australia, you get better value for a wider range of experiences.
Travelscene and Qantas Vacations have teamed up with Tourism Australia to create a “Do the Math” online widget, allowing users to compare costs in Australia vs. Europe.
tells us that beer in Australia is less than half the price as the UK; two nights at a four star hotel in Melbourne, is $270 compared to $459 in Rome; and a Sydney Harbour Cruise, is only $56 compared to a $78 river cruise in Paris.
The widget can be found on the Travelscene website (), Qantas Vacations website () and on the Tourism Australia site ().
Besides the cost comparisons, we are also offering a tongue-in-cheek top 10 list for travelers on why to they should choose Australia over Europe.
Top ten list of why American travelers choose Australia over Europe.
1. Your dollar won’t shrink to 50 cents as you fly over the Pacific.

2. Lunch or a cappuccino? In Australia, you don’t have to choose.

3. No need to wear a Canadian flag on your bag. Aussies like Americans. Always have.
4. You can’t bungee jump from the top of the Eiffel Tower.

5. You can afford to get your mother-in-law her own room.

6. The beaches are better Downunder. And Aussie men wear their thongs on their feet.
7. Aussies speak English (sort of).
8. Let’s be honest, an $80 pair of Ugg Boots, will always be more comfortable than a $600 pair of French stilettos.
9. Your waiter will welcome you with a smile, not roll his eyes if you ask a question.
10. Travelscene and Qantas Vacations offer heaps of air and land inclusive vacations to Australia and the South Pacific for under $2000.
For a limited time only, Travelscene is also giving away AUD$500 spending money per couple to the first 100 bookings to Australia that includes international airfare and 7 or more nights hotel accommodation. While Qantas Vacations are offering a FREE touring option where you can choose from a selection of the most popular tours and attractions including Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb; Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo Croc Express Tour; and Aboriginal Dot Painting Workshop at Ayers Rock.
Travelscene is an online travel agency which gives American travelers the tools they need to research and buy travel to the South Pacific and Asia. uniquely combines the convenience of using the internet to research travel while also providing the knowledge, service and security of a traditional travel agency.
Since 1985, Qantas Vacations has been the expert at arranging customized vacation packages to the South Pacific. Qantas Vacations specializes in all types of vacations farmstays, eco tours, rail tours, cruises, group & escorted tours, self drive, and luxury hotel & resort holidays. Qantas Vacations friendly team members are Australian destination specialists with local knowledge that will help make planning your trip hassle free.
For more information please contact:

Travelscene
Ruth Daly
PR and Promotions Manager
Travelscene
Direct Dial: 310-535-1061
Fax: 310-524-9577
Email:

Qantas Vacations
Monica Wilson
Director, Sales and Marketing
Qantas Vacations
Direct Dial: 310-535-1044
Fax: 310-535-1012
Email:
Travelscene; Qantas Vacations

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MILWAUKEE, Aug. 6 /PRNewswire/ — A Disney Character Breakfast is one of those beloved originals — a must-do experience for families on a Disney vacation. Here kids of all ages can rise and shine with their favorite Disney Characters and a magical breakfast buffet while receiving photo and autograph signing opportunities that will serve as magical keepsakes for years to come.
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During the month of August, United Vacations is including up to four free Disney Character Breakfasts with vacations booked to the Disneyland(R) Resort in Anaheim, California.
To receive this offer customers must enter promo code FREE at the time of purchase and include the following items in their vacation package upon checkout:
— Roundtrip flight to Disneyland(R) Resort (DLR)
— 4 nights or more in an Anaheim area hotel
— 3-Day or longer Park Hopper(R) Bonus Ticket per person, which includes

one Magic Morning admission for early entry and advance purchase
savings over box office prices
— Up to four Disney Character Breakfasts

For families bigger than four people, additional Character Breakfasts may be purchased for any additional passengers. However, they’ll still get the first four for free.
Offer is valid for bookings made by August 31, 2008 for travel through December 31, 2008.
Consumers: Purchase online at , by calling 888-328-6877 or by contacting a travel agent.
Travel Agents: Book UV through VAX VacationAccess(R) at or the VAX VacationAccess technology via Amadeus AgentNet, Sabre Vacations, and Vacation.com AgentNet.
To view complete offer terms and conditions visit .
United Vacations’ America, Canada, Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii, Mexico and Ski programs are operated by The Mark travel Corporation in Milwaukee, one of the largest vacation companies and operators of private-label brands in the United States.

United Vacations

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NEW YORK, Aug. 5 /PRNewswire/ — ShermansTravel Media announces a major redesign of its popular travel Web site, ShermansTravel.com, as well as plans to increase frequency and circulation of Sherman’s travel magazine.
Increased expert content and editor-vetted deals, along with enhanced functionality and improved design all help to firmly position ShermansTravel.com as the online leader in expert-recommended travel deals and information. Distinguished by fiercely independent research and a stable of hundreds of expert writers based around the globe, ShermansTravel.com is uniquely positioned to educate consumers on thousands of locations, and then to direct them to the absolute best travel deals to these destinations. Only ShermansTravel.com has the ability to recommend deals and then link consumers directly to the best means to book their travel, often sifting through hundreds of deals to bring them hard-to-find specials from major providers like Travelocity and Orbitz.
Launched in 2002, ShermansTravel.com boasts 3.24 million unique visitors in June 2008, making it #8 among all travel information web sites in the world. This number is nearly triple the unique viewers last year at this time, according to comScore. The newly relaunched ShermansTravel.com boasts new design, simplified navigation, and the addition of 300 comprehensive ShermansTravel Guides for cities, regions, and countries in the United Stated and around the world, written by renowned travel experts and fully vetted and edited by ShermansTravel.com editors and writers.
Says ShermansTravel.com Editorial Director Arabella Bowen, “We’re proud to be considered one of the top travel sites by millions of sophisticated consumers. One of our biggest challenges was competing out of the gate with so many sites that had decades of content to draw on. At both ShermansTravel.com and Sherman’s travel magazine, we started fresh with a new premise that people want to travel smart but need help sifting through the vast options available to them at all price points.”
As Sherman’s travel magazine goes into its third year in print, ShermansTravel Media also announces plans to increase both the circulation and frequency of the magazine, to take effect in early 2009. The quarterly publication plans to increase to 6 issues/year, and will raise circulation from 200,000 to 250,000 due to increased consumer demand for its unique focus on smart luxury values. The only magazine to address the Smart Luxury category, Sherman’s travel magazine speaks to those who seek 4- and 5-star luxury vacations, but want to travel smartly.
“We’re proud at ShermansTravel Media that the market is recognizing and embracing our unique contributions to the travel space both in print and online. Our online visitors and our print subscribers value the intelligence behind our content, our diversity of offerings, and the comprehensive expert advice that we give them. This combination distinguishes us from all of the other travel media out there today,” said James H. Sherman, Founder and CEO of ShermansTravel Media. “We’re here to save people time and to find the best travel experiences for our consumers, and they appreciate that,” he adds.
Research shows that most travelers who book online visit at least four sites before they make a purchase. Now, the new ShermansTravel.com aims to become the one-stop travel site for research, comparison shopping, and proceeding directly to booking. The largest publisher of editor-selected travel deals and independent expert travel advice online is also among the top travel sites on the internet.
ShermansTravel.com also has approximately 1,000 editor-vetted travel deals representing the best the web has to offer, culled from tens of thousands of offers from more than 250 trusted online travel providers. Enhanced search results, varied destination photos, Top 10 lists, Spotlight Articles, Perfect Trips, Today’s Top Deals, Slideshows, as well as access to content from Sherman’s travel magazine and Smart Luxury travel deals and advice round out the site.
ABOUT SHERMANS travel MEDIA
ShermansTravel Media is a leading travel media company that publishes ShermansTravel.com and Sherman’s travel magazine. Founded by James Sherman in 2002 to help travelers make sense of the overwhelming number of online travel specials, ShermansTravel.com is now the web’s most trusted source for editor-screened travel deals and destination advice. Sherman’s Top 25, a free weekly e-newsletter published every Wednesday, recently surpassed four million subscribers. The company also has syndication partnerships with leading web sites, including MSNBC.com, MSN.com, USAToday.com, and Yahoo!. Building on its trusted online brand, ShermansTravel Media launched Sherman’s Travel, the first magazine serving sophisticated, value-conscious travelers, in October 2006.
Media Contacts:
Roland Alonzi/Joanne Bloomstein, MMG Mardiks
Tel. 212.219.0759, ext: 6765/646-237-4519
/
ShermansTravel Media

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ARLINGTON, Va., Aug. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Interstate Hotels & Resorts , a leading hotel real estate investor and the nation’s largest independent operator of full- and select-service hotels, today announced that it had formed a joint venture with an affiliate of Madison W Properties, LLC to recapitalize the existing ownership of the former Radisson Plaza hotel Lexington in Kentucky and the adjacent 234,000 square foot, class-A office building. Upon the transition, the hotel was renamed the Lexington Downtown hotel & Conference Center.
The 367-room hotel will begin a comprehensive $13 million renovation encompassing guest rooms and public space, as well as the restaurant. Following completion of the renovation, the hotel will be reflagged as a Hilton. The hotel currently is managed by Interstate, who will operate the property as an independent until the hotel is reflagged.
“This is our forty-ninth property in which we hold a minority ownership interest and our first with Madison,” said Thomas F. Hewitt, Interstate chief executive officer. “We know this property well and believe it has considerable long-term potential, given its excellent downtown location and proximity to the convention center. Those advantages, combined with the planned comprehensive renovation and rebranding as a Hilton, should position this hotel to become a leader in this market.”
“Interstate is a proven operator with a successful track record, and we look forward to establishing a long-term relationship with them,” said Peter C. Lewis, president of Madison W Properties. “Their depth of experience in the meeting and conventions subsegment add another dimension, making them a compelling partner in this particular venture. We look forward to exploring other opportunities with them.”
Located at 369 West Vine Street, the 15-story Lexington Downtown hotel & Conference Center is situated just across from Rupp Arena and the Lexington Convention Center, and is convenient to Blue Grass Airport, Keeneland Race Track, University of Kentucky, and the Kentucky Horse Park. The hotel is connected via skywalks to the Lexington Center and Rupp Arena, as well as the shops at Victorian Square.
The hotel’s amenities include a pool, fitness center, restaurant and lounge, and 14,000 square feet of meeting facilities, including a grand ballroom that accommodates up to 1,000 people. All guestrooms feature complimentary high-speed Internet access, Sleep Number(R) Beds and executive-size desks. The hotel’s Bigg Blue Martini is a favorite night hot spot in Lexington, and its Cafe on the Park on-site restaurant features local cuisine created by an award-winning chef.
About Madison W Properties, LLC
Madison W Properties, LLC is a real estate investment company that has acquired in excess of $130 million of properties since its inception in 2008. The company focuses on value-added opportunities throughout the United States. Madison W Properties, LLC is an affiliate of Madison Capital Management, LLC, an investment management firm with more than $540 million under management, and over $830 million invested to date. For more information, visit .
About Interstate
Interstate Hotels & Resorts has ownership interests in 56 hotels and resorts, including seven wholly owned assets. Together with these properties, the company and its affiliates manage a total of 221 hospitality properties with nearly 46,000 rooms in 36 states, the District of Columbia, Russia, Mexico, Belgium, Canada and Ireland. Interstate Hotels & Resorts also has contracts to manage 16 to be built hospitality properties with approximately 3,800 rooms. For more information about Interstate Hotels & Resorts, visit the company’s Web site: .
This press release contains “forward-looking statements,” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, about Interstate Hotels & Resorts, including those statements regarding future operating results and the timing and composition of revenues, among others, and statements containing words such as “expects,”"believes” or “will,” which indicate that those statements are forward-looking. Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially, including the volatility of the national economy, economic conditions generally and the hotel and real estate markets specifically, the war in Iraq, international and geopolitical difficulties or health concerns, governmental actions, legislative and regulatory changes, availability of debt and equity capital, interest rates, competition, weather conditions or natural disasters, supply and demand for lodging facilities in our current and proposed market areas, and the company’s ability to manage integration and growth. Additional risks are discussed in Interstate Hotels & Resorts’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Interstate Hotels & Resorts’ annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.
Contact:
Carrie McIntyre
SVP, Treasurer
(703) 387-3320

Interstate Hotels & Resorts

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SHANGHAI, China, July 31 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ — Home Inns & Hotels Management Inc. , a leading economy hotel chain in China, today announced that it will report its financial results for the second quarter 2008 after the U.S. market closes on August 11th, 2008. Home Inns’ management will hold an earnings conference call at 9 PM on August 11th, 2008 U.S. Eastern Standard Time (9 AM on August 12th, 2008 Beijing/Hong Kong time).
Dial-in details for the earnings conference call are as follows:

China Mainland (toll free): 10.800.130.0399
Hong Kong: 852.3002.1672
U.S (toll free): 1.800.299.8538
U.S. and International: 1.617.786.2902

Pass code for all regions: Home Inns

A replay of the conference call may be accessed by phone at the following numbers until 10PM on August 18th, 2008 U.S. Eastern Standard Time.
US toll free: 1.888.286.8010
International: 1.617.801.6888
Passcode: 87586758

Additionally, a live and archived webcast of this conference call will be available at .
About Home Inns
Home Inns is a leading economy hotel chain in China based on the number of hotels and hotel rooms, as well as the geographic coverage of the hotel chain. Since Home Inns commenced operations in 2002, it has become one of the best- known economy hotel brands in China. Home Inns offers a consistent product and high-quality services to primarily serve the fast growing population of value- conscious individual business and leisure travelers who demand clean, comfortable and convenient lodging. Home Inns’ ADSs, each of which represents two ordinary shares, are currently trading on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol ”HMIN.” The Company filed its annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 18, 2008, a copy of which is also available on the Company’s website . The Company will provide a hard copy of its annual report on Form 20-F, free of charge, to its shareholders and ADS holders upon request.
For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

Ethan Ruan
Home Inns & Hotels Management Inc.
Tel: 86-21-3401-9898 x2004
Email:

FD Beijing
Julian Wilson
Tel: 86-10-8591-1951
Email:

Peter Schmidt
Tel: 86-10-8591-1953
Email:
Home Inns & Hotels Management Inc.

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