DOUBLETREE RECEIVES
THE 4th ANNUAL MANATEE AWARD

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:  Carrie Foster
On behalf of Guest Services, Inc.
703/522-0703; 202/905.6964 (c)
Carrie@lindarothpr.com

CONTACT: Vikki Fritz, General Manager
Doubletree Guest Suites Naples
239/593-8733 x7403
fritzv@guestservices.com

Naples, Florida (October 17, 2003) - Vikki Fritz, General Manager of the Doubletree Guest Suites in Naples, FL, proudly accepted the Big Cypress Basin’s Manatee Award for excellence in environmental conservation today.

“My staff and I are honored to be acknowledged for our efforts to support the Naples community through environmental preservation and education,” said Fritz. “Doubletree’s commitment to excellent hospitality goes beyond our front door. Preservation of the lush natural landscape of the Cocohatchee River and Wildlife Preserve is not only first-class customer service, but essential community service, too.”

The Manatee Award, named for Big Cypress Basin’s mascot, Melanie the Manatee, is an annual award given to a member of the Southwest Florida community that displays devotion to active environmental issues, including water conservation and education. Past recipients of the Manatee Award include Collier County and the City of Everglade County. Doubletree Guest Suites Naples is the first hospitality-based venue to receive this honor.

Doubletree Guest Suites Naples, located on 3.6 acres of peninsula on the Cocohatchee River and Wildlife Preserve, is working with J. Roland Lieber, PLLC to develop a long term landscaping plan with an emphasis on environmental sensitivity and water conservation. The plan includes replacing existing soil with compost soil and creating a butterfly garden with native plants and a separate irrigation system. Plants native to the Naples area include Firebush, Gallardia, Crinum and Dune Sunflower, which attract butterflies and require only seasonal rain and minimal irrigation to survive. The butterfly garden will be set up as an “outdoor living classroom” for hotel guests and the community to enjoy. The hotel’s landscaping efforts are expected to be completed in early 2004.

Doubletree Guest Suites Naples has also established an environmentally efficient cleaning and washing program that reduces run-off and improve water quality flowing into the Cocohatchee, which feeds into the Gulf of Mexico.

The Big Cypress Basin (BCB), a division of the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) manages water resources for the public's health, safety and welfare. BCB includes Collier County and part of Monroe County and is responsible for the operation, maintenance, planning and capital improvements to 169 miles of canals and 44 water control structures. For more information on BCB, go to www.sfwmd.gov or call Barbara Kerby at 239/ 597-1505.

The Doubletree Guest Suites Naples is operated by Guest Services, Inc. and is a franchised property of Doubletree Hotels Corporation, a division of the Hilton Hotels Corporation located in Beverly Hills, California. Originally founded to provide quality food service in government facilities, Guest Services, Inc. and its subsidiaries today employ over 3,500 team members serving over 25 million guests annually at more than 200 facilities nationwide. For reservations or more information about the Doubletree Guest Suites Naples, visit www.naplessuites.doubletree.com or call 239/593-8733 or fritzv@guestservices.com.