The Dow Hotel Co.Names Joseph G. Coursolle, General Manager

Hotel is Undergoing $6 Million Renovation

SEATTLE, WA—The Dow Hotel Company, LLC, (DHC) a hotel ownership, investment and management company, announced that Joseph G. Coursolle, (top right photo) CHA, has been named general manager of the 227-room Hilton San Antonio Hill Country Hotel and Spa. (bottom right photo)

He will report directly to Steven Falciani, (middle left photo) regional vice president of operations.

The hotel is owned by a joint venture between New Jersey-based Prudential Real Estate Investors and DHC, which also manages the property.

The hotel converted to the Hilton hotel brand at the beginning of 2009 and is undergoing a $6 million renovation, which is being conducted in phases in order to eliminate guest disruptions.

“Joe brings with him nearly three decades of hospitality industry experience, as well as a working knowledge of the San Antonio area,” said Murray Dow, (bottom left photo) president of The Dow Hotel Company.

“In addition to experience as a general manager, he also has extensive experience with the Hilton brand. We expect his expertise and skillset to enhance an already successful resort-style property, and that his operating experience in a variety of economic climates will benefit the hotel.”

Previously, Coursolle was general manager at the Embassy Suites Hotel Indianapolis in downtown Indianapolis.

During the course of his career, he has served as general manager of four different properties, including the Embassy Suites Austin–North and two other hotels in San Antonio. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minn.

Contact: Jerry Daly, Chris Daly, (703) 435-6293, jerry@dalygray.com

Sheraton Hotel North Houston Converts Amphitheater to 3,600 SF Ballroom

Final Step in $8 Million Renovation After Damages from Hurricane Ike

HOUSTON, TX—Officials at the Sheraton Hotel North Houston (top right photo) at George Bush Intercontinental Airport announced they have converted the property’s former amphitheater to the Stephen F. Austin Ballroom, a 3,600-square-foot space, capable of accommodating groups of up to 250 people.

The new ballroom, the hotel’s second largest, will become the new centerpiece for the hotel’s mid-sized meeting activities. The hotel offers a total of more than 30,000 square feet of meeting space and can comfortably handle groups of 10 to 1,000 people. The hotel has 24 meeting spaces, ranging from executive boardrooms to the 8,750-square-foot Grand Ballroom.

The conversion was part of a multi million renovation to repair damages related to Hurricane Ike. Other renovations included replacing all carpeting, walls and furniture, fixtures and equipment on the main floor.

The hotel, which now is in like-new condition, is operated by The Dow Hotel Company, a leading third-party hotel management and ownership group.

“The new, multi-function Stephen F. Austin Ballroom offers more flexibility for today’s meeting planners than our previous amphitheater,” said Robert Kisker, general manager. “The new configuration will allow us to better host business meetings, training sessions, award celebrations, weddings, and other social events.

Contact: Jerry Daly, Patrick Daly, (703) 435-6293 (office), (703) 624-7187 (cell) jerry@dalygray.com

The Dow Hotel Company Names Donna Rios General Manager of Hilton Bellevue

Washington State GM of the Year Adds Bench Strength to Company

SEATTLE, WA—Officials of The Dow Hotel Company, LLC, a hotel ownership investment and management company, today announced that Donna Rios (top right photo) has joined the company as general manager of the 353-room Hilton Bellevue (middle left photo) in Washington.

She will report directly to Michael Pitstick, (top left photo) regional vice president of operations, as she oversees the property’s day-to-day operations.

“Donna has an enviable track record in the greater Seattle market and has consistently outperformed her competitive set in guest satisfaction and revenues,” said Murray L. Dow II, (middle right photo) The Dow Hotel Company president.

“She brings additional depth and expertise to our hotel operating team. We continue to look for and hire top talent to not only successfully negotiate to

day’s economic environment but prepare for the inevitable turn around ahead.”

Prior to joining the Hilton Bellevue, Rios was the general manager of the very successful Embassy Suites Hotel in Tukwila, Wash.

Previously, she was general manager of the Embassy Suites Hotel, in Santa Clara, Calif. She was named the 2008 general manager of the year by the Washington State Hotel Lodging Association and won the Embassy brand’s Highest Internal Controls Score for Centrally Managed Hotels in 2008.

Located at 300 112th Avenue SE, in Bellevue, Wash., the AAA Three Diamond Award-winning Hilton Bellevue is just off I-405, in Seattle's upscale, eastside business district.

The hotel is within easy access to downtown Seattle, Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, (bottom right photo) and the Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SeaTac).

Each room offers flat-screen high definition televisions, high-speed wireless internet access, and Serenity Collection by Serta, Hilton’s exclusive bedding package.

The property features more than 60,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, a fitness center, pool, and three onsite eating and drinking options, Basil’s Bar, Tully’s Coffee and Basil’s Kitchen.

“The property’s accessibility to the airport and downtown Seattle make it an ideal location for both leisure and business travelers,” Rios said.

“As a further attraction for our business guests, we recently added the new Hilton Meetings package. Our fitness center has the latest, top-of-the-line Precor aerobic and muscle-building equipment. The Skyview Room, specially designed for business banquets and wedding receptions, accommodates groups of up to 325 people.”

Seattle-based The Dow Hotel Company is a hotel owner/investor and operator of first-class, full-service hotels with properties throughout the United States.

DHC is currently completing renovations at its Houston and Portland properties totaling more than $15 million.

The company’s portfolio of owned and managed properties consists of institutional-grade hotels, under such brands as Marriott, Hilton, Embassy Suites, Sheraton, and Crowne Plaza.

The company aggressively seeks to acquire, co-invest with joint venture partners and/or manage mid- to large-size, first-class, full-service hotels, especially those with extensive food and beverage capabilities.

Contact: Chris Daly, (703) 435-6293, chris@dalygray.com

Simeon Miranda Named General Manager of Marriott Anaheim Suites

SEATTLE, WA—Officials of the Dow Hotel Company, LLC, a hotel ownership investment and management company, announced that Simeon Miranda (middle right photo) has joined the company as general manager of the 371-room Marriott Anaheim Suites (top left photo) in California.

He will oversee the property’s day-to-day operations and report directly to Steve Falciani, (bottom right photo) regional vice president of operations.

“Simeon Miranda is part of our announced major push to increase our management bench strength at all levels in this difficult economy,” said Murray L. Dow II, (middle left photo) Dow Hotel Company president.

“With 25 years of managerial experience in the hotel industry, he is one of the most experienced all-suite hotel general managers in the business and also has extensive operating experience with upscale, full-service, branded hotels.

“In the past four months, we have added the equivalent of more than 80 years of senior operations experience to our company, and we have seen positive results with steady gains in market share,” he noted.

“Under Simeon’s leadership and his proven track record in operations, we expect this award-winning hotel to continue to excel, despite a challenging fiscal environment. We believe he will help us position the hotel for the inevitable economic rebound.”

Prior to joining the Marriott Anaheim Suites, Miranda was resident manager of the 1,241 -room Hilton Waikoloa Village, a 62-acre world-class destination resort. He has served as general manager of five different properties, including the 400-room Embassy Suites Resort, Lake Tahoe, Calif.., and the 224-room Embassy Suites/Crown Sterling Suites, Anaheim, Calif.

Miranda received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Seattle University. He is a former member of the board of directors for the Kohala Coast Resort Association and is a member of the Hawaii Hotel and Lodging Association.

Located at 12015 Harbor Blvd, in Garden Grove, Calif., the Marriott Anaheim Suites is centrally positioned in Orange County, just one mile from Disneyland®, the Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim Stadium, Crystal Cathedral and other world-famous tourist attractions.

The full-service, all-suite hotel is an AAA Three-Diamond Award winner and offers high-speed Internet access, a fitness center with state-of-the-art exercise equipment, and a pool and whirlpool. The property has an American-style restaurant, SunSpot, and a Starbucks on-site as well.

“Due to its central location and proximity to all major attractions and corporations, the hotel is ideally situated to improve its position as the market leader for business and leisure travelers to Anaheim,” Miranda noted. “Because every room is a suite, the hotel provides great price-value for both business and leisure travelers.”

Contact: Chris Daly,Vice President, Daly Gray Public Relations, 703-435-6293

Rick Rogovin Joins Dow Hotel Team; Company Converts San Antonio Radisson to Hilton

SEATTLE, WA, Jan. 22, 2009 -- The Dow Hotel Company, LLC, a hotel ownership investment and management company, today announced that Rick Rogovin, (top right photo) an executive with more than 20 years of institutional hotel investment experience, has joined the company as vice president of business development.


In the newly created position, Rogovin will be responsible for reaching out to institutional investors, limited partnerships, individual investors, brokers and others to form strategic alliances, negotiate partnerships, and forge relationships to significantly expand Dow’s owned and joint-venture hotel portfolio, as well as acquire and develop third-party management contracts.



He will work closely with Mark Rosinsky, (middle right photo) DHC’s s senior vice president of investments.

“We believe the next 18 to 24 months will create significant growth opportunities for our company in all three of our growth strategies: acquisitions, joint ventures and third-party hotel management,” said Murray Dow, (middle left photo) president of The Dow Hotel Company.

“Rick adds substantial bench strength in finance, investment, real estate and corporate leadership that will be particularly critical in the current economic environment,. His high professional standards fit our culture perfectly.”

Rogovin is a Certified Hotel Administrator and holds a Bachelor of Technology – Hotel Administration degree from New York City Technical College.

The company’s portfolio of owned and managed properties consists of institutional-grade hotels under such brands as Marriott, Hilton, Embassy Suites, Sheraton, and Crowne Plaza. The company aggressively seeks to acquire, co-invest with joint venture partners and/or manage mid- to large-size, first-class, full-service hotels, especially those with extensive food and beverage capabilities.

San Antonio Radisson Converts to Hilton San Antonio Hill Country Hotel & Spa; $6 Million Renovation Planned

SAN ANTONIO, TX/SEATTLE, WA.—The Dow Hotel Company (DHC), a hotel owner/investor and management company, has converted its 227-room hotel in San Antonio, Texas, to the Hilton San Antonio Hill Country Hotel & Spa at 9800 Westover Hills Blvd. (bottom left photo)

The hotel will undergo a $6 million renovation over the next 12 months to upgrade the facility, its amenities and services. The property is owned by a joint venture between Prudential Insurance Company of America and DHC, which also operates the property.

“We look at every property we operate to maximize profits in all phases of the economic cycle,” said Murray Dow, president of The Dow Hotel Company.

“With the upgrades and brand change, we will be able to offer our guests the best in upscale amenities and benefits, which will lead to higher satisfaction and allow us to attract a wide cross-section of both business and leisure travelers.

" We have in-depth experience working with the Hilton Family of brands and believe this change will further enhance our portfolio of first-class, full-service hotels.”

“This is another great hotel/spa to add to our growing collection,” said Jeff Diskin, (bottom right photo) senior vice president – brand management, Hilton Hotels & Resorts.

“This will be the fifth Hilton Family-branded hotel operated by Dow, and we expect the same success that they have enjoyed at our four other branded properties.”

Contact: Jerry Daly, Chris Daly. Phone: (703) 435-6293, jerry@dalygray.com

The Dow Hotel Company Promotes Two to Regional Vice President of Operations

Part of Company’s Plan to Enhance Management Bench Strength to Respond to Opportunities in this Phase of the Economic Cycle

SEATTLE, WA—The Dow Hotel Company, LLC (DHC), a leading hotel owner and third-party management company, has promoted two of its senior general managers, Michael Pitstick (top right photo) and Steven Falciani, (top left photo) to the newly created position of regional vice president of operations.

Both positions will be based out of The Dow Hotel Company’s corporate office in Seattle. Pitstick and Falciani each will be responsible for all operational aspects of the company-owned and managed hotels in their respective regions.

“As we enter what may be the most difficult operating period since at least the early ‘90s, we believe that hotel owners will seek out experienced operators who have the depth and expertise to succeed in difficult times,” said Murray Dow,(middle right photo) president of The Dow Hotel Company.

“In anticipation of the downturn in the economy, we began expanding our senior team earlier this year to not only operate our existing hotels better but to be prepared to quickly respond to the expected rise in third-party hotel management contracts coming to the market.

"Combined, Mike and Steve have more than 40 years of hotel operations, food and beverage, and marketing experience that represent a significant competitive advantage for our properties.”
Pitstick was promoted from general manager of the Bellevue (Washington) Hilton. Previously, he served as DHC’s vice president of sales and marketing.

Prior to joining the company, he was vice president of sales and marketing at Carlson Companies, responsible for all sales and marketing functions for the hotel ownership and operating division. Pitstick holds a restaurant, hotel and institutional management degree from Purdue University.

Falciani was promoted from general manager and regional director of the 371-room Marriott Suites Anaheim, (bottom left photo) where he nearly doubled net operating income in a highly competitive market.

He formerly worked for Winegardner and Hammons, a large hotel management company, as general manager of the Marriott Suites in Clearwater Beach, Fla., where he led the market in overall revenue per available room penetration.

He graduated from Widener University with a Bachelor of Science degree in hotel and restaurant administration.

Seattle-based The Dow Hotel Company is a hotel owner and operator of first-class, full-service hotels with properties throughout the United States.

DHC is currently completing renovations at its Houston and Portland properties totaling more than $10 million.

The company’s portfolio of owned and managed properties consists of institutional-grade hotels, under such brands as Marriott, Hilton, Embassy Suites, Sheraton, and Crowne Plaza.

The company aggressively seeks to acquire, co-invest with joint venture partners and/or manage mid- to large-size, first-class, full-service hotels, especially those with extensive food and beverage capabilities.

Contact: Jerry Daly or Chris Daly. Phone: (703) 435-6293, jerry@dalygray.com

The Dow Hotel Company Launches BC Bistro & Lounge at The Doubletree Hotel Chicago O’Hare-Rosemont

New Upscale Casual Restaurant Opens after $1.3M Renovation

CHICAGO, IL, Oct. 29, 2008—The Dow Hotel Company (DHC), a hotel owner/investor and hotel management company, announced that it has opened the 200-seat, full service BC Bistro & Lounge, at The Doubletree Hotel Chicago O’Hare Rosemont, (top right photo) following a complete, $1.3 million overhaul of the property’s restaurant.

“Besides the foundation, everything in the BC Bistro & Lounge is new and reflects the latest culinary trends with a heavy emphasis on fresh, local and regional products,” said Murray L. Dow II, (top left photo) president, The Dow Hotel Company.


“We removed the old stair case; refurbished the space with upscale casual décor; and partnered with local growers and a boutique bakery to create an attractively priced menu with an international flair.”

Located at 5460 North River Road, with an interior entrance through The Doubletree Hotel Chicago O’Hare-Rosemont, the BC Bistro & Lounge will feature signature dishes such as the onion soup baked in an onion cup, pretzel roll Ruben and Sizzle Platter--shrimp, scallops, sausage and rice.



In addition, the restaurant will offer low calorie dishes, such as salmon salad, turkey wrap and cedar pine white fish. Average costs for meals are: breakfast $8 to $14, lunch $9 to $16 and dinner $14 to $19.

The BC Bistro & Lounge is open from 6:30 am to 1:00 am, seven days a week and offers convenient, covered parking at the hotel. The Lounge also focuses on local offerings, serving a wide variety of local beers, as well as regional and international wines.


The signature "BC Martini” features 2 ounces of Crowne Royal Whiskey, 2 ounces of Apple Pucker, 2 ounces of cranberry juice, shaken to perfection and garnished with an apple slice.

“Many restaurants in Rosemont are big Chicago names, like Nicks Fish Market and Morton’s, which target an older, male crowd,” said David Fincannon, (bottom right photo) general manager at The Doubletree Hotel Chicago O’Hare Rosemont.

“We cater to both local and visiting men and women who want to easily find a seat in an inviting lounge with a fun atmosphere and be able to talk, not shout, with the person next to him or her."

Contact: Jerry Daly, Chris Daly, (703) 435-6293

The Dow Hotel Company Names Dan DeFrancia Director of Sales and Marketing at Hilton Bellevue, Washington

SEATTLE/BELLEVUE, Wash., May 27, 2008—The Dow Hotel Company (DHC), a hotel owner/investor and management company, today announced the appointment of Dan DeFrancia as director of sales and marketing for the 358-room Hilton Bellevue, (top left and middle right photos) located in metropolitan Seattle, Wash.

DeFrancia assumed his new responsibilities effective April 15, 2008.

A native of Colorado, DeFrancia has called the Seattle area home for more than 17 years. A graduate of Seattle University, he is an accomplished industry veteran. He started his career in Tucson, Ariz. at the Westin La Paloma, followed by moves to the Denver area with Westin and Embassy Suites. He spent six years at the prestigious Meadowood Napa Valley Resort in St. Helena, Calif.

DeFrancia returned to the Pacific Northwest to work at the historic Rosario Resort in the San Juan Islands. He spent the last four years at the Salish Lodge & Spa in Snoqualmie, Wash., before joining the Hilton Bellevue as the new director of sales and marketing.

The Hilton Bellevue recently underwent a $7 million renovation and brand conversion from Doubletree to Hilton. The hotel also converted the popular night club, Misty’s, into Skyview, a beautiful atrium banquet room.

“Dan DeFrancia has a proven record of success and is a welcome addition to The Dow Hotel Company and the Hilton Bellevue,” stated Michael Pitstick, general manager.

“His leadership and sales experience in upscale resort and luxury hotels, combined with his broad marketing background, will be a valuable asset to our team.”

Seattle-based The Dow Hotel Company is a hotel owner/investor and operator of 10 first-class, full-service hotels throughout the United States.

The company’s portfolio of owned and managed properties consists of hotels, under such brands as Marriott, Hilton, Embassy Suites, Sheraton, Crowne Plaza, Doubletree and Radisson Hotels and Resorts.

The company aggressively seeks to acquire, co-invest with joint venture partners and/or manage mid- to large-size, first-class, full service hotels, especially those with extensive food and beverage capabilities.

Contacts:

Jerry Daly, Chris Daly, (703) 435-6293
Julie Tullbane, Daly Gray Public Relations, T 703-435-6293, F 703-435-6297
julie@dalygray.com