Embassy Suites Hotels Joins Forces With ``Spider-Man 2'' to Combat Family Vacation Doldrums; ``Spider-Man 2 Web Pack'' Available This Summer

Business Wire, April 29, 2004

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BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 29, 2004

When it comes to family travel, children are key contenders in the decision-making process, influencing more than half of all family travel plans made by parents. To heighten the family vacation "fun factor" this summer while catering to America's kids, Embassy Suites Hotels(R) is introducing a custom-made "Spider-Man(R) 2 Web Pack(TM)."

The all-new kids Web Pack, created in conjunction with Sony Pictures in celebration of the new "Spider-Man(R) 2," is full of goodies befitting a superhero. It includes a reusable Spider-Man non-flash camera with film; a six-inch Spider-Man plush toy with suction cups; Toss and Catch Game including two Velcro paddles with three plush bean bags; a Spider-Man Treasure Keeper with a caribeener attached to a rubber coin holder that contains Spider-Man stickers; and a puzzle picture cube featuring six different Spider-Man images. All of the superhero fun comes in a custom-designed Messenger Bag with webbed lining.

Beginning May 24, the pack will be available Thursday-Sunday nights at more than 170 participating Embassy Suites Hotels in the continental United States, Puerto Rico and Latin America. The offer ends on Sept. 12, 2004.

"The new Spider-Man movie is bound to be THE HIT to see with the family this summer," said John Lee, vice president of brand marketing for Embassy Suites Hotels. "Embassy Suites has always placed great importance on appealing to families. By aligning ourselves with the world-renowned Spider-Man franchise, we're not only offering families a great space to stay but are providing the opportunity -- and space -- for kids to play with this exciting Web Pack."

In "Spider-Man(R) 2," the latest installment in the blockbuster "Spider-Man(R)" series based on the classic Marvel Comics hero, Tobey Maguire returns as the mild-mannered Peter Parker, who is juggling the delicate balance of his dual life as a college student and a super-human crime fighter.

The entertaining adventure escalates and Spider-Man's life becomes even more complicated when he confronts a new nemesis, the brilliant Dr. Otto Octavius (Alfred Molina), who has been reincarnated as the maniacal and multi-tentacled "Doc Ock."

About Sony Pictures or Columbia Tri-Star

Columbia Pictures, part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company. Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America (SCA), a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; digital content creation and distribution; worldwide channel investments; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of filmed entertainment in 67 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.sonypictures.com.

About Embassy Suites Hotels

Embassy Suites Hotels received a 2003 Playful Travel Award as "Suite-est Hotel Chain for Families" from Nick Jr. Family Magazine as reported in its April/May 2003 issue. The nationwide "quest for the best" involved input from top family travel experts, editors, parents and two Nick Jr. online surveys. Embassy Suites Hotels scored high in the areas of accessibility, affordability and accommodations for families, making kids feel special and parents feel cared for and comfortable.

Each Embassy Suites Hotel offers spacious, two-room suites that include a separate living area with a sofa bed, private bedroom and bath, two televisions, a wet bar, refrigerator, microwave oven and work desk. In addition, all Embassy Suites Hotels offer a complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast each morning and a two-hour Manager's Reception(a) each evening. Other standard amenities include an indoor or outdoor pool, health club and on-property restaurant.

Embassy Suites Hotels, which opened its first hotel in 1984, was the first all-suite upscale hotel brand to enter the industry and today has more than 170 hotels.

To make reservations or learn the locations of Embassy Suites Hotels in urban, suburban, airport and resort areas, travelers can call 1-800-EMBASSY or visit the Embassy Suites Hotels Web site at www.embassysuites.com. Embassy Suites Hotels participates in the Hilton HHonors(R) guest reward program that allows its members to DoubleDip(R) simultaneously earning both hotel points and airline miles with each qualifying stay.

Embassy Suites Hotels is a part of Hilton Hotels Corporation, which is recognized internationally as a preeminent hospitality company. The company develops, owns, manages or franchises more than 2,100 hotels, resorts and vacation ownership properties. Its portfolio includes many of the world's best known and most highly regarded hotel brands, including Hilton(R), Conrad(R), Doubletree(R), Embassy Suites Hotels(R), Hampton Inn(R), Hampton Inn & Suites(R), Hilton Garden Inn(R), Hilton Grand Vacations Club(R) and Homewood Suites by Hilton(R).