NEW YORK CITY, (October 13, 2003) � John J. DePaul, president and chief executive officer of The Melrose Hotel Company, announced today that Maureen Stella has been named director of sales and marketing at The Melrose Hotel, New York.  Bringing more than 25 years of experience in the New York City hospitality industry, Ms. Stella will be lead and execute all sales and marketing operations for the hotel, The Landmark Restaurant and The Library Bar.

�Ms. Stella has an outstanding history and reputation with New York City hotels, having been with two established properties for over 10 years each,� continued DePaul. �It is this commitment and loyalty to her work that makes her an invaluable part of any team she joins and we are very happy that she is joining The Melrose.� 

Prior to joining The Melrose Hotel, New York, Ms. Stella spent over ten years with the RIHGA ROYAL Hotel in Manhattan where she served as director of sales and marketing. During her time with RIHGA ROYAL, Ms. Stella helped to build a new hotel identity through targeted marketing and aggressive direct sales working with both the travel community and the consumer.  She also developed and controlled budgets, implemented a sales incentive program and increased corporate, entertainment, international and group sales.

For more than ten years prior to the RIHGA ROYAL, Ms. Stella held both sales and marketing positions with the Omni Berkshire Place in Midtown Manhattan, where her efforts led to record room sales at the 415-room luxury property. While at the Omni Berkshire Place, Ms. Stella spent several years working closely with Geoffrey Mills, now the managing director of The Melrose Hotel, New York. 

�Having worked with Maureen at the Omni Berkshire Place, I was eager to have her join our team,� said Geoffrey Mills, managing director of The Melrose Hotel, New York. �She brings strong sales and marketing experience and an impressive track record in building an independent hotel brand. Couple that with her more than 25 years in the New York City hospitality industry and it�s obvious why we are so glad to have her work with us.� 

About The Melrose Hotel, New York
Following the completion of a $40 million renovation and the conversion from the historic Barbizon Hotel, The Melrose Hotel, New York officially opened its doors on June 1, 2002. The renovations turned the 700-plus room, one-time women�s only hotel into 306 rooms of luxury accommodations on 22 floors with 21 suites. Twelve suites are Tower suites with balconies that offer an unparalleled view of the New York City skyline.

About The Melrose Hotel Company
A subsidiary of Berwind Property Group, Ltd., Philadelphia, The Melrose Hotel Company was established in 1999 with the purchase of the historic Melrose Hotel in Dallas, Texas.  The company continues steady growth with several subsequent acquisitions, including The Melrose Hotel, Washington D.C., The Westin Great Southern Hotel in Columbus, OH and most recently, The Melrose Hotel in New York City.