CHICAGO -- April 24, 2013 --As the Summer Season of Gay Pride Parades and CelebrationsSwings Into High Gear, Preferred Hotel Group™ Adds Dozens of New Hotelsand Presence in Eight New Cities to its Groundbreaking Preferred Pride Program
As LGBT communities from Austin to Amsterdam put the finishing touches on an ever-growing number of spirited summertime celebrations, Preferred Hotel Group welcomes 41 new properties to its Preferred Pride collection of TAG-approved or IGLTA-member hotels and resorts across the globe. Preferred Pride has also expanded its footprint for 2013 with presence in eight new cities, including Austin (Texas, USA), Orlando (Florida, USA), Seattle (Washington, USA), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Vienna (Austria), Cape Town (South Africa), Karlovy Vary (Czech Republic), and Valletta (Malta).
“The expansion of our Preferred Pride portfolio underscores the historic strides made by the LGBT community recently,” said Rick Stiffler, Vice President of Leisure Sales for Preferred Hotel Group. “We are delighted to now offer nearly 130 gay-welcoming hotels in some of the world’s most popular destinations that LGBT travelers and their families can call home any time of year.”
Each property within the Preferred Pride portfolio offers a Preferred Pride package. Available through December 31, 2013, this special offer caters to all travelers who want to celebrate Pride, featuring the best available rate and a special property-specific amenity.
The newest hotels to join the Preferred Pride collection in popular Gay Pride destinations include:
Hotel Sans Souci – Vienna, AustriaThis world-class boutique hotel wows travelers with Philippe Starck–designed interiors, original artwork from greats such as Picasso and Allen Jones, and other luxurious amenities. Hotel Sans Souci’s central location just a 10-minute walk from Heldenplatz Plaza, where the June 16 Pride Parade begins, is an added bonus.
Preferred Pride package: bottle of Champagne; rates from US$291 per night
Vienna Gay Pride: June 11 - 16
Hotel 1000 – Seattle, Washington, USA
From this five-star downtown hotel, guests are within a 10-minute walk of the start of Seattle’s Pride Parade at Union Street and Fourth Avenue. A sleek modern retreat, Hotel 1000 offers thoughtfully-appointed rooms, a stylish restaurant, and a full-service spa.
Preferred Pride package: two drinks at BOKA and 30% off at Spaahh; rates from US$479 per night
Seattle Pride Parade and PrideFest: June 29 - 30
Hotel Mayfair – Paris, France
Hotel Mayfair presents the Parisian setting that Gallic-minded LGBT travelers expect—opulent guestrooms filled with rich furnishings and every modern amenity. Guests will enjoy a convenient location mere minutes by Metro from Gay Pride Paris festivities and a short stroll to the Louvre and d’Orsay museums.
Preferred Pride package: bottle of Saint-Emilion Wine and free Wi-Fi; rates from US$286 per night
Gay Pride Paris: June 29
Hotel de las Letras – Madrid, Spain
Blending Old World architecture with modern-day comforts, the centrally located Hotel de las Letras is just steps away from the Gay Pride action at Puerta de Alcalá. The hotel’s lounge is the perfect pre-party destination, offering small bites, cocktails, and a live DJ from Thursday to Sunday.
Preferred Pride package: one 30-minute massage per person; rates from US$168 per night
Gay Pride Madrid: July 3 – 7
The Villas of Grand Cypress – Orlando, Florida, USA
One of Orlando’s premier golf resorts, The Villas of Grand Cypress draws families who appreciate its relaxed lakeside setting and complimentary shuttle service to nearby theme parks, where many of the Gay Days Orlando festivities take place. Other amenities include seven restaurants and bars and an Equestrian Center.
Preferred Pride package: Crème brûlée sampler featuring locally sourced fruit; rates from US$240 per night
Gay Days Orlando: May 28 - June 3
Upcoming parades and festivals where Preferred Pride hotels are located also include:
For more information on Preferred Pride or to book the Preferred Pride package, visit www.PreferredPride.com or follow the collection on Facebook.
About Preferred Pride
The Preferred Pride collection launched in June 2011. To be eligible, hotels must be either TAG Approved® (Community Marketing’s Travel Alternative Group) or belong to IGLTA® (International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association). Both organizations are universally recognized to set the standards for LGBT travel. Hotels that participate in Preferred Pride are offered diversity training on best practices in serving the LGBT community from check-in to check-out.
About Preferred Hotel Group
With a global reach extending into more than 85 countries, Preferred Hotel Group represents more than 650 of the finest hotels, resorts, and serviced residences in the world. Preferred Hotel Group’s brands include Preferred Hotels® & Resorts, Preferred Boutique™, Summit Hotels & Resorts™, Sterling Hotels™, Sterling Design, and Summit Serviced Residences™. Travelers gain valuable benefits through branded programs that include Preferred Residences™, Preferred Golf™, the I Prefer™ Guest Benefit Program, and Preferred Family, a collection of hotels and resorts certified to provide a rich experience for travelers of all ages. For more information, visit www.PreferredHotelGroup.com and follow the brand on Facebook and Twitter.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Caroline Michaud - Americas
Senior Manager, Media Relations
Tel: +1 312 542 9218
cmichaud@preferredhotelgroup.com
Aysem Monaco
Senior Manager, Public Relations – EMEA
Tel: +44 207 440 0316
amonaco@preferredhotelgroup.com
Arlene Benger-Tan
Senior Manager, Public Relations – Asia Pacific
Tel: +65 6577 2487
abenger@preferredhotelgroup.com
For high resolution imagery, please visit the Preferred Hotel Group Image Library atwww.PreferredHotelGroupImages.com.