Prime Hospitality has announced a rate program for 2005 designed for small and midsize hotel programs that do not have sufficient room night volumes to warrant negotiated rates. Similar programs last year were introduced by Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group and, for 2005, by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. The Prime program, called Prime Preferred, includes bookings at the company's two midprice brands, AmeriSuites and Wellesley Inns & Suites.
According to Claire Miller, vice president of sales, a company needs to book 250 room nights at a minimum of three properties in the course of the year to qualify for the discounted rate.
Separately, the Blackstone Group, a private equity real estate firm, has announced plans to acquire Prime
(BTNonline, Aug. 19). The proposed acquisition should have no effect on such marketing programs as Prime Preferred.