Company Press Release
December 17, 1999
REDWOOD CITY, CA -- Woodside Hotels & Resorts, Northern California's premier hotel group announced today that
its website -- www.woodsidehotels.com -- has earned the distinction
of ``Outstanding Web Site'' from the Web Marketing Association. Over 700 sites from around the world were adjudicated
during this year's competition with entries being judged on design, innovation, content, interactivity, navigation,
ease of use and use of technology.
``Winners of the 1999 WebAwards represent some of the best web sites on the Internet today,'' said William Rice,
President of the Web Marketing Association. ``The WebAwards competition is becoming one of the ways the leading
interactive agencies are demonstrating to clients the effectiveness of their web development. Corporate interactive
departments also find winning awards shows company management that their Internet investments are on the right
track.''
www.woodsidehotels.com was completely revamped in June '99 to provide a more streamlined appearance and to provide
direct-online reservations, meeting space information, room amenities, local events, special packages and a monthly
sweepstakes. The site also includes the use of such advanced features as Quick Time Virtual Reality (QTVR). ``Surfers''
are given the opportunity to view guestrooms, meeting rooms and common areas at each hotel from a 360(degree)vantage.
``We are especially pleased with this award,'' said David Issel, Senior Vice President of Operations. ``The re-design
of the site fell on the shoulders of a small core group within the entire company, and it was their vision that
directed our designers to what we have today. This recognition validates our desire to provide the best possible
product to our guests whether that be online or in-room.''
The 1999 WebAwards competition format allows Web sites to compete head-to-head with other sites within their industry
as well as against a standard of excellence. There are three award levels: Best of Industry, Outstanding Web Site
and Standard of Excellence in addition to the Best of Show WebAward. The competition was judged by a team of independent
Internet professionals representing the various relevant disciplines of Web site development. Judges included members
of the media, advertising executives, site designers, corporate marketing executives, content providers and webmasters.
Woodside Hotels & Resorts is comprised of six luxury hotels that include: the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa,
the Stanford Park Hotel, the Half Moon Bay Lodge, the Bodega Bay Lodge & Spa, the Napa Valley Lodge and the
Lafayette Park Hotel.
While each hotel is very unique and distinctive, collectively, they offer deluxe accommodations, a high standard
of service, and cuisine from the award-winning Duck Club Restaurant, the signature dining outlet featured at Monterey
Plaza Hotel & Spa, Stanford Park Hotel, Lafayette Park Hotel and the Bodega Bay Lodge & Spa. Additionally,
all six are rated AAA Four Diamond, and two -- the Stanford Park Hotel and the Lafayette Park Hotel -- are rated
Mobil Four-Star.
The hotels combine to offer 800 guests rooms and over 37,000 square feet of conference space. For more information,
please call (800) 368-2468 or visit the Woodside Hotels & Resorts Web site at www.woodsidehotels.com.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact:
Woodside Hotels & Resorts
Linda Beltran, 650/298-5227
lb@woodsidehotels.com