First New York City Hotel Inducted into Collection

NEW YORK and BETHESDA, Md., Sept. 21, 2010 - The Algonquin Hotel, New York City's famed literary landmark hotel located at 59 W 44th Street, announced today their official affiliation with the Autograph Collection, a portfolio of upper-upscale, independent hotels and resorts, each with distinctive personalities. The Algonquin Hotel is the first New York City property to become a part of the collection. 

The Autograph Collection is a new group of hotels within Marriott International, Inc.'s (NYSE: MAR) global brand family, taking an innovative approach to selecting iconic hotels with distinctive personalities that promise guests a unique experience. Hotels in the Autograph Collection can fall into the resort, historic, boutique or urban hotel categories.

"We are thrilled that The Algonquin has become a part of the Autograph Collection," said Ted Darnall, chief operating officer of HEI Hotels & Resorts. "We pride ourselves on the singular experience we offer our guests, whether they are here for business or leisure travel. The Algonquin's unique features, history and extraordinary service are in perfect alignment with the Autograph Collection's commitment to distinction and elegance." 

From l to r: Gary Mendell, HEI Hotels & Resorts, Gary Budge - GM, Bill Marriott, Marriott International, Ted Darnall - HEI Hotels & Resorts, Steve Mendell - HEI Hotels & Resorts, Kip Vreeland - Autograph Collection. (PRNewsFoto/Marriott International, Rick Maiman)

"The iconic Algonquin Hotel offers a truly memorable hotel experience in the heart of New York City," said J.W. Marriott Jr., Chairman and CEO of Marriott International. "We are thrilled to partner with HEI Hotels & Resorts to welcome this landmark property into the Autograph Collection, delivering the power of our world-class sales engines while maintaining The Algonquin's unique identity in the market."

The Algonquin Hotel, as part of the Autograph Collection, will be featured on Marriott.com and affiliated with Marriott Rewards, Marriott International's award-winning guest loyalty program, where guests can earn points at more than 3,300 hotels in 69 countries. As a member of the Autograph Collection, The Algonquin Hotel taps into Marriott's industry-leading global reservations system, and powerful consumer outreach through its leading technology, and sales and marketing platforms which have helped build Marriott into one of the world's leading hotel operators.

The Algonquin Hotel recently underwent a complete renovation - modernizing many elements of the hotel experience, while maintaining its famed historic charm through the inspiration of famed designer Alexandra Champalimaud.  All guestrooms feature signature Algonquin beds and bedding, and unique amenities including New Yorker magazines and available eReaders for the enjoyment of our guests looking to "wind down with a download."

To commemorate its inauguration to the Autograph Collection, The Algonquin Hotel is currently  offering 2,500 Marriott Rewards Bonus Points for Marriott Rewards members who stay at the hotel through November 27, 2010.

About the Algonquin Hotel:  A New York City landmark recently named to the National Trust Historic Hotels of America, the Algonquin Hotel is located in the heart of midtown Manhattan at 44th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, just steps from Broadway's Theatres and world-class shopping. Home to Dorothy Parker's famous Round Table and birthplace of the New Yorker magazine, the Algonquin Hotel is highly regarded by travelers the world over. The recent $4.5 million renovation effort focused on refreshing the hotel lobby, upgrading all guest rooms, laying new guestroom carpet and introducing new bedding to the 174-guestroom hotel - creating a new era of elegance at the historically significant hotel. The hotel's popular Oak Room, which has showcased musical talents such as Harry Connick, Jr., Andrea Marcovicci, Diana Krall and Peter Cincotti, serves dinner and offers cabaret performances Tuesday through Saturday. The legendary Algonquin Round Table of the 1920s is the inspiration for the current Round Table Room serving traditional American cuisine breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Blue Bar and Lobby also serve cocktails and other beverages throughout the day. The hotel features a fully-equipped fitness center and five meeting and function rooms, which can accommodate groups from 10 to 175. www.algonquinhotel.com

Autograph Collection is an ensemble of high-personality and boldly independent hotels, each carefully selected for its distinctiveness, style and synchronicity with your unique travel interests.  Together, the entire Autograph Collection takes the guesswork out of finding exceptional, distinctive non-chain hotels that are original as who you are and provides you with all the rewards and benefits of a world-class loyalty program. For more details, visit www.AutographCollectionHotels.com

About HEI Hotels & Resorts
HEI Hotels & Resorts, headquartered in Norwalk, Conn., is a leading hospitality investment firm that acquires, develops, owns and operates full-service, upper upscale and luxury hotels and resorts throughout the United States under such well-known brand names as Marriott, Sheraton, Westin, Le Meridien, Embassy Suites, and Hilton.  For more information about HEI, visit the company's website, www.heihotels.com.