New Delhi, May 27, 2019: Timed to launch on International Pineapple Day on Saturday, June 1, Preferred Hotels & Resorts – the world’s largest independent hotel brand –is pleased toannounce International Pineapple Week, amulti-channel celebration of the symbolism behind itsbrand logo, the pineapple. Running from June 1 to 9, 2019, the world’s firstInternational Pineapple Weekaims to raise wider awareness of the Preferred brand among global audiencesthat are seeking authentic, independent luxury hotel and travel experiences througha series of interactive and rewardinginitiativesthat willbeoffered at member hotels around the world, showcased on a dedicated microsite (www.PreferredHotels.com/PineappleWeek), and promoted via social media using#PreferredPineappleWeek.
“Throughout the 15 years since my family took ownership of the Preferred brand, I have had the great fortune of witnessing first-handthe warm welcome and consistently thoughtful approach to hospitalitythat is offered to guests staying at any of the one-of-a-kind, independentmember hotelswithin our portfolio – an experience that is represented through the symbolism of our pineapple logo,” said Lindsey Ueberroth, CEO of Preferred Hotels & Resorts.“With International Pineapple Week, we seek to inspire travelers by connecting them to hotels that can serve as their local guide in their chosen destination, demonstrating that when they see our brand pineapple at the entrance, they know that they will have an authentic, personalized andmemorable experience.”
The Pineapple’s Journey and Place in Hospitality
As the story goes, the pineapple became the emblem of hospitality more than 500 years ago when seafarers sought places to relaxin port townsand would look for homes that had pineapples hung in their entrance, a signal that those friendly locals would welcome them for a meal or place to sleep. Since then, the pineapple has been used to express that ‘you are welcome here’ in a multitude of ways including depictionsin monuments and the designs of doors, gates, and entryways across cities worldwide. With a rich history of inspiring travel and independent hospitality for more than 51 years, Preferred Hotels & Resorts utilizes the pineapple as its brand logo to serve as a global guide for travelers, visually signifying that ‘you are welcome’ and inviting them to enjoy personalized and genuine luxury experiences across its portfolio of 750 one-of-a-kind, independent hotels and resorts in 85 countries.
Preferred Pineapple Cocktail Series
ThePreferred Pineapple Cocktail Series welcomes guests and local residentsaliketo enjoy original pineapple-flavored cocktails(or mocktails)that have been crafted by some of the most creative mixologistsat more than 100 hotel bars globally throughout International Pineapple Week. Participating hotels includeNoMo SoHo in New York City; The Hari Hotel London in the United Kingdom; EAST, Beijing in China; Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach, California;Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach in Hawaii;Carneros Resort and Spa in Napa Valley, California;Hotel EQ, Kuala Lumpurin Malaysia;Carlton Ambassador in The Hague, Netherlands; and Hotel New Otani Tokyo “EXECUTIVE HOUSE ZEN” in Japan.Preferred will also post the hotels’ creations and recipes to www.PreferredHotels.com/PineappleWeek,along with spotlights on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, allowing followers to try their hand at crafting these special cocktails at home.
Pineapple Points Booking Promotion
To encourage exploration and fuel memorable moments in hospitality, Preferred will offer a booking bonus of 5,000 I Prefer points – aptly known as ‘Pineapple Points’ during this celebratory week – for reservations made at 54 participating member hotels for stays through March 31, 2020 via IPrefer.com or PreferredHotels.com. To be eligible to receive the bonus points, travelers must be enrolled in the brand’s I Prefer Hotel Rewards program or enroll during the booking process. The world’s largest global points-based hotel loyalty program, I Prefer is free to join and extends points redeemable towards free nights and other on-property activities, elite status, and other complimentary benefits to guests at more than 700 participating properties around the globe. For the full list of hotels participating in the Pineapple Points booking promotion, visit www.PreferredHotels.com/PineappleWeek.
Preferred Pineapple Surprise & Delight Turndown
An evening turndown is a quintessential marker of the luxury hotel experience and during International Pineapple Week, guestsstaying at 19 participating hotels will enjoy a special turndown gift, compliments of Preferred. Provided at hotels ranging from Royalton Hotel New York andHotel Monteleone in New Orleans toGrand Velas Riviera Maya in Cancun and Porta Hotel Antigua in Guatemala, Preferred willsurprise and delight guests for one or two nights between June 1 and 9 with a silky eye mask and a bedtime story via a creative postcard that shares the history of the pineapple, along with an exclusive offer to claim 5,000 Pineapple Points as a bonus for enrolling inI Prefer. For the full list of participating hotels, visit www.PreferredHotels.com/PineappleWeek.
Microsite and Social Media Activities
Preferred welcomes its global community to join in the excitement by visiting the International Pineapple Week microsite regularly, starting May 24.Serving as the hub where the brand’s global community of hoteliers, travelers, associates, and other partnerscanconnectabout the week’s festivities, the celebratory site will featurea vibrant mix ofcommissioned artwork, fun facts about the pineapple’s history, inspiring content from collaborators in Singapore, London, and New York,and visual highlights fromthe Pineapple Cocktail Series,alongside full lists of hotels participating in the various special programs. Preferred’s social channels (@PreferredHotels) will alsocelebrate International Pineapple Week in the days leading up to and through June 1 – 9, 2019utilizing #PreferredPineappleWeek.
A Sweet Partnership with Malai Ice Cream in New York City
As a regional treat for residents of New York City and visitors to the Big Apple alike, Preferred Hotels & Resorts has teamed up with Brooklyn-based, spice-forward artisanal ice cream shop Malai to launch a globally inspired flavor-of-the-month: Preferred Pineapple Pink Peppercorn. Taking its cue from the symbolism behind the Preferred brand logo, this bright, pineapple-infused ice cream aims to encourage exploration and curiosity, and will be available for purchase throughout the month of June at Malai’s new storefront in Cobble Hill (268 Smith St.) To kick off International Pineapple Week on Saturday, June 1, the brands will stage two pop-up carts at Preferred member hotels NoMoSoHo on Crosby Street and the newly opened Hotel Henri in Nomad, inviting hotel guests, local residents, and passersby to enjoy one free scoop per person between 1-2pm, or purchase the pineapple flavor, along with Malai’s signature flavor Sweet Milk, from 2-5pm. In addition to free ice cream, visitors to the pop-up carts will be able to enter a social media giveaway comprising a two-night stay with breakfast at NoMoSoHo and two pints of Malai Ice Cream every month for six months. Giveaway details will go live on Instagram via @PreferredHotels and @Malai_icecream on June 1.
Corporate Comm India(CCI NewsWire)
