Two Hotels in Southeast Set Special Room Rates to Help Hurricane Katrina Victims

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Challenge Other Hoteliers to Do the Same

PARK CITY, UT -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 09/02/2005 -- In response to the total devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, Gemstone Resorts International, LLC, a leading hotel and resort management company, has announced that two of its properties, in South Carolina and Georgia, will offer a special room rate for hurricane victims. The special rates are as much as 40 percent below conventional rates.

"With so much damage across such a wide area, hotels as far away as 500 miles from the impacted area can provide some relief to homeless victims," said Greg Hooper, director of asset management for Gemstone. "It is our hope that other hotels will offer similar rates. With hundreds of thousands of people displaced from their homes, the hotel industry is uniquely positioned to help solve short-term housing problems if everyone pulls together."

"The idea began with us wondering what we could do to help," said Damon Vitangeli, Gemstone head of human resources. "One obvious answer was shelter. And right now, that's what is needed most."

The Hotels

The special rates will apply to all hurricane victims during the months of September and October.

-- The Augusta (Ga.) Suites Inn -- Located at 3038 Washington Road in
Augusta, Ga., the 176-room hotel will offer a $49 night room rate to
hurricane victims, compared to the posted $89 rate for regular guests. The
rate includes a full breakfast buffet and evening cocktails/refreshments to
all Hurricane Katrina victims. "We believe the Augusta Suites Inn will
have particular appeal because of the greater amount of space and room
amenities that include a microwave, refrigerator and coffee maker," said
Jeannie Crouch, general manager.

-- Hotel Carolinian (S.C.) -- Located at 7510 Two Notch Road in Columbia,
S.C., off of Interstates 20 and 77, the 251-room property features a
fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools with whirlpool and sauna
facilities, indoor putting greens and an indoor atrium. Other amenities
include complimentary high-speed wireless Internet access and pet rooms.
The hotel will offer hurricane victims a $49 room rate, compared to the
conventional $89 per night.

Gemstone is working closely with disaster relief officials to help create awareness of the special offers among disaster victims. To book a room at the hotels, disaster victims can call (800) 654-7452 for the Augusta Suites Inn or (877) 308-4986 for the Hotel Carolinian.

Headquartered in Park City, Utah, Gemstone is a full-service operating and asset management company that specializes in luxury and upscale urban hotels and complex resorts. Additional information about the company may be found at http://www.gemstoneresorts.com.





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