PRESS RELEASE

Luxury Hotel Announces the Latest Product of its Multi-Million Dollar Renovation

CHICAGO, Nov. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Think of the setting of your last professional group meeting. Neutral colors, vast blank walls and ballpoint pens probably come to mind. These tools hardly promote the creativity and innovation that are the expected results of off-site meetings. Companies today -- from design firms to law firms -- demand productive and memorable meetings and events. Thus, this December, the Hotel Sax Chicago, managed by Gemstone Hotels and Resorts International, LLC and design firm VOA Associates (www.voa.com) will unveil the latest result of a multi-million dollar hotel renovation, a state-of-the-art meeting and ballroom space -- an event space with a point of view.

Hotel Sax Chicago is excited to introduce an alternative to the traditional hotel meeting room experience. They have created a dynamic space where guests can be inspired -- to strategize, synthesize, brainstorm and plan. With a meeting capacity of 350 people, and equipped with state of the art productivity and communication technologies -- from Microsoft and other partners -- the Hotel Sax facilities will set a new standard for meeting and event accommodations. The 10,000 square foot space was designed to cater to "whole brain" business thinkers -- people who need to synthesize both the logical/rational and creative sides of today's business opportunities. The goal: provide an inspirational, creative environment, where guests can strategize, innovate and create the solutions that productive meetings should generate. The project is unlike anything currently available in the city of Chicago and is scheduled for completion by December 5, 2007.

The Hotel Sax Chicago and VOA Associates worked closely with Microsoft and other partners to employ technology and communication solutions that blend cutting edge productivity and networking with video and audio options. Focus groups with meeting professionals from an array of industries stressed the need for an alternative to a stagnant market of meeting space options. Concurrently, ease of use and "function with form" were important in a technologically sophisticated meeting environment. To address these needs, technology at Hotel Sax has been seamlessly integrated into the space and its function, a welcome alternative to the intimidating environment presented by many of today's technology hubs.

"Most hotels take a convention room, with conventional design and technology, throw some trinkets on the table and call it a "creative meeting,"' says Hotel Sax Chicago General Manager Mario Mazzini. "Our understanding of the market -- and our opportunity -- told us to start from a clean slate, and use architecture, interior design and technology to create an environment that would inspire real creativity. Thus far, the space has piqued the interest of many clients who demand creative, memorable and productive meetings or events."

There are no right angles here. Every detail was specifically chosen to discourage conventionalism and invite imagination. Elevator doors open on the fourth floor of the Hotel Sax Chicago to a 36-foot, semi-circular video wall with unlimited projection capabilities. Just off of this arrival area is a central rotunda where guests will find a blue, dream-like polycarbonate sculpture that stretches to the ceiling. Intertwined within the sculpture is a sail-like lighting feature that pierces the length of the space. To further create an artistic, individualistic ambiance, meeting and breakout rooms are accented by details such as charged-glass (to change a space from public to private at the flip of a switch), fireplaces, geometrically designed couches and a calming water installation. Every meeting space offers wired and wireless HSIA, and customizable A/V, environmental and lighting; variable LED lighting is used throughout the space. In addition, many rooms feature concealed, drop-down projection systems, to allow for presentations at a moments notice.

All meeting rooms at the Hotel Sax Chicago are designed to provoke the utmost creativity and willingness to participate from professionals of all industries. From a striking red wall to flat panels and video conferencing capabilities, the meeting space offers surprising features and intriguing technologies at every turn. Even the ballroom space is designed to separate into two equally stimulating spaces, depending on the size of the party. The Hotel Sax offers endless opportunities for creative expression that have the power to turn any meeting into a successful event. Hotel management will soon introduce the first of what will be the future of meetings and events. The Hotel Sax Chicago, VOA Associates, and other partners have created the ultimate oasis for meetings -- where stepping out of the office means stepping outside of the box.

For more information on the Hotel Sax Chicago (333 N. Dearborn) meetings and events space, visit www.hotelsaxchicago.com. Reservations can be made at (312) 923-2473.

ABOUT GEMSTONE

One of the most respected institutions in the hospitality industry, Gemstone is a full-service management and asset management company that specializes in luxury and upscale urban hotels and complex resorts. The company is engaged in resort and unique hotel marketing and management and asset management for a variety of major hotel real estate investors and owners. Gemstone currently manages or asset manages more than 20 hotels and resorts including the Carlton Hotel/New York, Mosaic/Beverly Hills, Hotel ZaZa/Houston and The Hotel Washington/Washington DC.

For more information, please contact Zapwater Communications, Inc at (312) 943-0333

Source: Hotel Sax Chicago

CONTACT: Susan Schreiber, susan@zapwater.com, or Annie Neyman, annie@zapwater.com, both for Hotel Sax Chicago, +1-312-943-0333

Web site: http://www.hotelsaxchicago.com/