�Preferred Hotels is proud to announce that these four very diverse hotels will join our portfolio,� said Rob Cornell, Managing Director of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, �The addition of these properties signify the growth of the Preferred brand and a rapidly increasing global presence as each hotel is located in a previously untapped market for Preferred.� 

The newest Preferred members include:

The Excelsior Palace Hotel, Rapallo, Italy:
This five-star luxury hotel is located near the bay of Rapallo and is ideally situated for those seeking relaxation during holidays or business trips any time of the year. Decorated in warm tones of coral, blue and sand, all 131 bedrooms boast beautiful views of the sea which can be enjoyed from private balconies. The Lord Byron Restaurant serves Italian food and wines in an exquisite dining room. The Eden Roc Restaurant located on the private beach terrace offers Ligurian dishes. One entire floor of the hotel is dedicated to conventions meetings, banquets and receptions and offers a total of 650 square meters for exhibit areas. For recreation guests can take a swim in the heated pool or enjoy advanced spa treatments like thalassotherapy, which is specific seawater and algae treatments for the face and body at the Beauty Farm. An 18-hole golf club is also located nearby.  Guest services include the use of a private limousine, secretarial services and arrangements for theatre and excursion tickets. Excelsior Palace Hotel will begin their membership on January 1, 2003. 

The Imperial, New Delhi, New Delhi, India: 
Built in 1931, The Imperial New Delhi is characterized as a �museum hotel� and houses three separate art galleries.  Each floor is dedicated to a different artist whose original works adorn the walls and guestrooms. The 233 deluxe rooms are decorated in British period style, with high ceilings, antiques and tapestries. The Royal Ballroom is one of the only authentic ballrooms remaining in India and serves as a venue for conference and lavish parties seating up to 500 guests. There are also two mid-sized conference rooms for up to 50 people each and three smaller meeting rooms which can accommodate up to 18 guests. The dining options include: The Spice Route, which serves South-East Asian cuisine and was rated one of the world�s top ten restaurants by Condé Nast Traveler, The Daniell�s Tavern, the 1911 Restaurant, San Gimignanao, The Garden Party, The Patalia Peg and The Atrium where guests can enjoy high tea daily. The Imperial is very close to local attractions including: The National Museum, the National Gallery of Modern Art, the Doll Museum, the India Gate, Humayun�s Tomb, Red Fort and Old Delhi City. 

Palmeraie Golf Palace & Resort, Marrakech, Morocco:
Palmeraie Golf Palace & Resort is nested in an oasis of peace and freshness near the snow-covered summits of the Atlas and it is one of only three five-star deluxe hotels in Marrakech. All 314 deluxe rooms have private balconies, sitting parlors and luxurious furnishings. A wide variety of dining options exist including three restaurants that serve French, Italian, Moroccan and Chinese dishes along with other international cuisine. There are 14 conference and delegate rooms, each equipped with state-of-the-art technology, plus a business center that has the capacity to hold between 15 and 1200 people. Recreational activities include an 18-hole golf course designed by Robert   Trent Jones, miniature golf, bowling, tennis and squash. The hotel also has five swimming pools (two heated in winter), an on-site night club, a riding school and many other activities for guests to enjoy. 

San  Clemente Palace, Venice, Italy:
Located on the exclusive and private San Clemente Island,  San Clemente Palace�s structure is from the Renaissance period with some original architecture from the 18th and 19th century. This property is just across from St. Mark�s Square and it is noted for its church that dates back to 1131 when it became a place of retreat for the Venetian Doges and later in the 1600s when it was a monastery for the Camaldolese order. The Hotel will have four indoor restaurants serving Italian, French, Mediterranean and International cuisine. In addition, the hotel will also have one outdoor gourmet restaurant and two bars. There will be seven meeting rooms for up to 450 people. Guests can relax at Beauty Farm, workout at the Fitness Center and play a variety of sports, including tennis and golf on the premises. San Clemente Palace will open in April 2003 and will begin its Preferred membership in February of 2003. 

Membership in Preferred is restricted to individually owned and managed, full-service luxury hotels and resorts. Preferred considers top-caliber properties for membership that meet and exceed the high operational levels required by Preferred�s Standards of ExcellenceTM, an award-winning, quality assurance program that annually measures 1,600 aspects of a property�s facility and service delivery.

Prospective Preferred member hotels are evaluated on such elements as geographic location, building architecture and design, grounds and landscaping, interior design, guest rooms and common areas, bathroom features, staffing levels, food and beverage facilities, room service, engineering and safety, health and fitness facilities, business services and conference/meeting facilities.