�The purpose of GIFTTS is to provide a meaningful platform to showcase individual actions on a larger scale and share best practices within the hospitality industry,� explained John Ueberroth, CEO, Preferred Hotel Group. �GIFTTS is a program that has enormous value in all of our communities. We believe in taking great ideas for giving and multiplying them,� he said. �We�re delighted with the breadth and quality of our members� involvement in their locales and within the global community.�

Preferred Pineapple Award recipients are the following:

Philanthropy: The Wequassett Inn Resort and Golf Club; Royal Plaza on Scotts; Grand Hotel Huis ter Duin

The Wequassett Inn Resort and Golf Club, Cape Cod, Massachusetts USA: The Wequassett Inn was recognized for their variety of philanthropic activities and extent of staff involvement. The resort participated in seven major philanthropic programs ranging from the community�s Healthcare Foundation to the Museum of Fine Arts. For the past four years, several employees coordinated and participated in a successful �bikeathon� benefiting the Cape Cod Hospital and Breast Cancer research effort.

Royal Plaza on Scotts, Singapore: Culinary craft has been the means for this Preferred Hotel Group member to create a unique contribution to charitable organizations. Its �Cooking With Love� cookbook, published in 2004, has been on sale in major bookstores throughout Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei. One dollar of each cookbook sale has been donated to a charitable organization in the country of sale. In addition, the hotel�s general manager organized a �Chef for a Day� event at which he cooked his signature dish which was sold to hotel staff at $5 a plate (with the hotel matching each donation). All proceeds were donated to the Asian Women Welfare Association Special School. 

Grand Hotel Huis ter Duin, The Netherlands: This member is notable for their commitment to improving the lives of disadvantaged children through an annual fundraising gala for the Sharing Success Foundation. Proceeds went to disabled children in underprivileged countries. On an ongoing basis, hotel staff supports development of a new school, based on a �learning by doing� concept, for children 6-12 years of age. Staff time is donated on a voluntary basis.
 

The Wequassett Inn Resort and Golf Club On Pleasant Bay Cape Cod/Chatham, Massachusetts

Grand Hotel Huis ter Duin Koningin Astrid Blvd. 5,  Amsterdam/Noordwijk aan Zee,  Netherlands

Environmental Wellbeing: Clayoquot Wilderness Resort & Spa, Tongsai Bay, Palace Hotel

Clayoquot Wilderness Resort & Spa, British Columbia: Clayoquot is notable for the extent of their environmental commitment. Opened in 1998 and set in a protected biosphere reserve, the property delivers a uniquely deluxe eco-tourism experience. All aspects of the operation are low impact and updated as technology allows. Comprehensive recycling governs the food and beverage experience, organic gardens reduce commercial dependency, and gravity-fed turbines generate fuel-less electricity and hot water.

Tongsai Bay, Thailand: Tongsai Bay is an ecological sanctuary and promotes sharing of its grounds with wild animals for their benefit as well as that of visitors. More than 50 types of birds and other animals, including squirrels, monitor lizards, butterflies, fireflies and a recently spotted Slow Loris make their homes on the grounds which are carefully maintained through natural means.

Palace Hotel, Tokyo: The Palace Hotel started recycling all kitchen waste and garbage in 1992. Through a bio processor, fertilizers are made from kitchen waste. License by the Tokyo Municipality, the fertilizer � called �Eco Palace� � is sold at the hotel and used for growing its own vegetables and rice.

Community Service: Hotel Monteleone, The Lodge at Sea Island and The Cloister at Sea Island, Imperial New Delhi

Hotel Monteleone, New Orleans, Lousiana USA: Rather than be defeated by Hurricane Katrina, Hotel Monteleone extended great generosity in the face of great loss. The hotel housed more than 200 staff members and their families throughout the crisis and kept them on full pay until they could find affordable housing or were able to fix their homes. Ongoing, the hotel provides an array of programs for staff, including Spanish lessons, job skills and computer training�all gratis.

The Lodge at Sea Island and the Cloister at Sea Island, Georgia USA: These sister properties answered the call to service following Hurricane Katrina by donating a wealth of furniture and personal care items to victims of the disaster in Louisiana and Mississippi. Closer to home, the venerable resort has an 80-year track record of civic leadership and community responsibility.

Imperial New Delhi, India: Imperial New Delhi is an active and ongoing participant with Ashray Bhaven, an organization that is dedicated to providing children with a healthy, pollution-free, secure environment, nutritious food and medical care. Hotel staff travels to remote villages and slums to save abandoned and neglected children. The property also works with Nanhi Kali, an organization that works with disadvantaged young girls who have no access to schooling.

In addition to these Preferred Pineapple Awards, Preferred Hotel Group provided Certificates of Excellence to 37 members from around the world in recognition of their leadership in one or more of the three categories.

 The four brands of Preferred Hotel Group represent a collection of the finest hotels in the world and include Preferred Hotels® & Resorts, (www.preferredhotels.com); Preferred Boutique (www.preferred-boutique.com); Summit Hotels & Resorts (www.summithotels.com); and Sterling Hotels (www.sterlinghotels.com). 

Preferred Hotel Group 
www.preferredhotelgroup.com