(June 18th, 2010) Smartstay, the innovative iPhone app for hotels, was recently launched in March 2010, and has already been branded for four important hotels in five different countries including Seaport hotel – Boston, MA, USA, Shangri-La hotel – Tokyo, Japan, Phoenix House - London England, and Fota Island Resort – Cork, Ireland. O’Rourke is also in the process of branding an app for Sebel Pier One – Sydney Australia, and Zleep hotels - Denmark. The branded apps can be downloaded for free from the app store on the iPhone or from iTunes at the following links:

 
“Our hotel clients were very smart to include mobile in their marketing plans today, and not a year down the road when they would have already been behind their competition,” explains Tom O’Rourke, CEO/Founder of O’Rourke Hospitality Marketing. Peter Habaar, Managing Director of Zleep hotels explains why he decided to invest in mobile, “Many of our guests need to make reservations from the road and depend on their mobile phones to help them manage their travel plans. We recognized that we needed to provide these guests a way to access our hotel information from their mobile devices and we found the solution with the Smartstay app from O’Rourke Hospitality.”
 
Fota Island Resort has also had great success with their iPhone app. Seamus Leahy, Director of Marketing states, "Our branded version of the Smartstay app is one more way Fota Island Resort creates a memorable and personalized stay by connecting with our guests before, during and after their stay. Launching our mobile channel via Smartstay has increased our brand exposure and allows us to engage with guests in a highly relevant and engaging way."
 
O’Rourke recognized that there was a need for a mobile solution in the hotel industry and wanted to provide their hotel clients an easy, cost-effective way to enter the mobile market. They partnered with DeCare Systems Ireland, Ltd., a leading enterprise software development company specializing in architecting, developing and integrating custom applications. More than 31,000 DeCare apps have been downloaded to date. 2,100 of those downloads have been from the four branded Smartstay hotel apps currently available.
 
The demo version of Smartstay has also been downloaded over 300 times. Those who download the Smartstay app now through June 25th will receive a special HITEC version with information about the conference. After June 25th the content will then change back to the original demo version. O’Rourke will be attending HITEC and can be found at booth #1234. Visitors to the booth can enter to win an apple iPad.
 
O’Rourke is currently leading the way in the iPhone App sector for the hotel industry. “Mobile is moving even faster than desktop Internet did. It is important that hotels implement a mobile strategy now and not put it off as a future plan. Many hotel companies are still only talking about creating a mobile solution for their hotel clients whereas O’Rourke Hospitality Marketing already provides that service,” explains Tom O’Rourke.
 
“The Smartstay app will never be a finished product, it is constantly being updated with new features according to our clients’ needs. We are currently looking into ways that hotels can monetize the app, not only in room reservations, but also in the food and beverage sector,” states O’Rourke.
 
“We are considering ways that hotels could sell advertising space on their apps to area restaurants and shops,” said O’Rourke. He elaborates, “Local businesses recognize the value of advertising on a hotel app. Such was the case with Jimmy from NO NAME restaurant in Boston who downloaded the Seaport hotel app and noticed that the hotel had recommended many area restaurants except for his. He then approached the hotel and asked how his restaurant could get listed on their app.”
 
Smartstay is an excellent opportunity for hotels looking to enter the mobile market and is available today. Once a hotel signs on, they can have their app up and running within a few weeks. The process is seamless and cost effective. There is also a mobile web version available that is compatible with most smartphones. Visitors to the O’Rourke booth can watch a product demo. Smartstay will also hold a press conference at HITEC Wednesday, June 23rd at 4:30 p.m.

About O’Rourke Hospitality Marketing, LLC / DeCare Systems Ireland, Ltd.
Smartstay is the result of combined efforts between O’Rourke Hospitality Marketing, LLC, and DeCare Systems Ireland, Ltd. O’Rourke is an award-winning marketing firm that focuses exclusively on the Hospitality Industry and provides hotels with a complete range of services including hotel website design and development, Internet marketing, and print design.
 
O’Rourke recognized the hotel industry’s need for a mobile solution and wanted to provide hotels with a sophisticated mobile platform that would allow them to communicate with their guests before, during and after their stay, control their own content, and open up a new mobile marketing channel.
 
O’Rourke found a proven and forward-thinking partner with DeCare Systems Ireland, Ltd and together they combined the best marketing and hospitality expertise with the best technological expertise to deliver Smartstay, a high-quality, robust, unique mobile solution for hotels.
 
O’Rourke Hospitality Marketing
phone:  978-465-5955             website:  www.orourkehospitality.com
 
Smartstay – The Mobile Division of O’Rourke Hospitality
phone:  888-965-5966             website:  www.smartstayapp.com
 
DeCare Systems Ireland, Ltd
phone: 800-328-1188              website:  www.decaresystems.ie
 
About Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo, Japan
Shangri-La, Tokyo, the newest of the luxury hotels, opened in March 2009 and is adjacent to Tokyo Station. There are 202 elegantly-appointed rooms, 3 first-class restaurants and lounges, and magnificent function rooms with panoramic views. Guests can also enjoy CHI, the Spa at Shangri-La. http://www.shangri-la.com
 
About Seaport Hotel, Boston, MA, USA
Seaport hotel and the Seaport Boston World Trade Center, is Boston’s most accommodating host and is located on Boston’s historic waterfront. Stunning views, convenient location and gracious staff set this Four-Diamond hotel apart. Once inside Seaport delights with unparalleled service, innovative amenities and technology that is always ahead. http://www.seaportboston.com/
 
About Fota Island Resort, Cork, Ireland
Ireland’s finest luxury destination, nestled at the heart of a peaceful island, surrounded by gorgeous scenery in County Cork. It is a glorious five star combination of the welcoming Fota Island Hotel & Spa, Irish Open Championship Golf Courses & Academy, Self Catering Lodges, and natural beauty, serenity, and service in one of the most outstanding settings on the Irish Coast. http://www.fotaisland.ie\
 
About Phoenix House
The award-winning Cheval Phoenix House property allows you to live the life of a Londoner when you stay at one of this 5-star property’s 33 luxury apartments. The deluxe interiors at the property are modern and contemporary, while exuding subtle and sophisticated elegance. http://www.chevalgroup.com/PhoenixHouse.asp
 
About The Sebel Pier One, Sydney Australia
Nestled alongside the Sydney Harbour Bridge and offering panoramic Sydney Harbour views, The Sebel Pier One Sydney Hotel is built on, and over, the water. The Sebel One unique Federation-style Sydney accommodation blends heritage with contemporary chic.
http://www.sebelpierone.com.au
 
About Zleep Hotels, Denmark
Zleep hotels is a group of seven hotels in unique locations. They are budget hotels that cut down on little luxuries without compromising quality. http://www.zleephotels.com/