Homewood Suites by Hilton Offers Special Holiday Rates; Kids Enjoy `Madeline' & `Thomas the Train' Activities and Receive Holiday Zany Brainy Fun Sacks

Business Wire, Oct 16, 2001

Business & Travel Editors

MEMPHIS, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 16, 2001

Kids Can Interact With Madeline Character and Enjoy Cartoon Videos

During Complimentary Breakfast at Participating Hotels

Homewood Suites(R) by Hilton, with more than 100 upscale all-suite residential-style locations across the United States, today announced it will offer a unique, affordable and fun-filled weekend getaway package for families during this fall and holiday season in partnership with educational toy retailer Zany Brainy Inc.

Parents can take advantage of the "Homewood for the Holidays" weekend rates starting as low as $69 beginning Nov. 8, 2001, and lasting through Jan. 13, 2002(a).

During the promotional period, kids will enjoy Holiday Zany Brainy(R) Fun Sacks, and video showings of popular storybook and movie characters, Madeline and Thomas the Train, with character-themed activities during participating hotels' complimentary breakfasts on Saturday mornings.

The Holiday Zany Brainy Fun Sack, available while supplies last upon check-in to kids ages six to 10 years old, is filled with educational Zany Brainy toys and a $5 coupon redeemable at any of the 187 Zany Brainy stores nationwide.

The special rate and Holiday Zany Brainy Fun Sacks will be available at all participating Homewood Suites by Hilton hotels for stays Thursday through Sunday nights and every day during the holiday weeks of Thanksgiving and Christmas.

As a unique highlight to the "Homewood for the Holidays" program, the Homewood Suites by Hilton hotels in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas and Phoenix also will host "Breakfast with Madeline & Friends," on Saturday mornings. This includes bringing an actual character to the hotels to greet and visit with children of hotel guests during breakfast, from Nov. 24 through Dec. 22, 2001.

Ideal for families traveling with children, Homewood Suites by Hilton hotels are upscale, all-suite properties that offer spacious, one- and two-bedroom suites with separate living and sleeping areas and fully equipped kitchens. Other features include a daily complimentary breakfast, complimentary grocery shopping service, and kids under 18 stay free when sharing a suite with their parents.

Also, most locations offer a 24-hour Suite Shop(R) convenience store, exercise facility, guest laundry and a swimming pool.

To make reservations at any Homewood Suites by Hilton hotel and learn more about the "Homewood for the Holidays" package, travelers can visit the Homewood Suites by Hilton Web site at www.homewood-suites.com or call 800/CALL-HOME(R) and mention the "Homewood for the Holidays" promotion. Guests who make their holiday suite reservations online via the Homewood Suites by Hilton Web site will receive a $10 discount on their online purchases of $50 or more at www.zanybrainy.com(b).

Homewood Suites by Hilton is part of the Hilton HHonors(R) hotel guest reward program. Members of Hilton HHonors(R) can Double Dip(R) to earn Points & Miles(TM) for every qualifying stay at any Homewood Suites by Hilton hotel.

Homewood Suites by Hilton and Zany Brainy joined forces in June 2001 to offer guests educational toys that encourage imagination, exploration and interaction between parents and children, helping to make their family vacation time at Homewood Suites by Hilton hotels both fun and enriching.

Zany Brainy Inc. (Nasdaq:ZANY Q) is the leading specialty retailer of high-quality toys, games, books and multimedia products for kids. The company combines a distinctive merchandise offering with knowledgeable customer service and in-store events to create an interactive, kid-friendly and exciting shopping experience for children and adults.

The company presently operates 187 stores in 34 states. Zany Brainy customers can find the store nearest them by visiting the Zany Brainy Web site at http://www.zanybrainy.com or by calling 877/WOW-KIDS, toll-free.

Homewood Suites by Hilton is part of Hilton Hotels Corp., which is recognized internationally as a pre-eminent hospitality company. The company develops, owns, manages or franchises more than 2,000 hotels, resorts and vacation ownership properties. Its portfolio includes many of the world's best known and most highly regarded hotel brands, including Hilton, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, Harrison Conference Centers, Hilton Garden Inn, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Red Lion Hotels & Inns, and Conrad.

(a) Rate applies to one-bedroom suites and does not include applicable taxes. Rate available Thursday-Sunday nights at participating locations from Nov. 8, 2001-Jan. 13, 2002. During the holiday weeks, Nov.15-25, 2001, and Dec. 20-30, 2001, rate is available seven days a week. Suites are limited and some restrictions apply, including a limited number of blackout dates.

(b) $10 discount offered for online reservations. Discount requires a minimum online purchase of $50 before shipping at www.zanybrainy.com. Redemption of discount can begin no earlier than Nov. 1, 2001.

The following service marks are owned by Hilton Hospitality Inc.: Hilton(R), Doubletree(R), Embassy Suites(R), Hampton Inn(R), Hampton Inn & Suites(R), Homewood Suites(R) by Hilton, Red Lion Hotels & Inns(R) and Conrad(TM).