Two luxury brands renowned for accommodating the discerning traveler have entered into a three-year marketing relationship.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company and Mercedes-Benz USA recently announced that their marketing agreement launches with the introduction of a special "Key to Luxury" package in which eight of the luxury hotel's 29 U.S. locations will offer guests the use of 2003 Mercedes-Benz vehicles during their stays.

The Key to Luxury package has been offered to guests since Nov. 1, 2002, launching initially at eight select Ritz-Carlton locations: Coconut Grove, Key Biscayne, Palm Beach, Naples, and Naples Golf Resort in Florida; Bachelor Gulch, Colorado; Laguna Niguel and Half Moon Bay, California. In Spring 2003, The Ritz-Carlton plans to offer the Key to Luxury package at other locations as well, including San Francisco and Boston.

The package includes a deluxe guest room on The Ritz-Carlton Club level and rental of a 2003 Mercedes-Benz with unlimited mileage for the duration of the guest's stay, a full tank of gas each morning and overnight valet parking. Select 2003 Mercedes-Benz models available to guests include the all-new E-Class sedan, S-Class flagship sedan, SL500 roadster, and CLK coupe. The Bachelor Gulch location will offer 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class sports utility vehicles and G-Class wagons.

"Many of The Ritz-Carlton guests are Mercedes-Benz owners," said Paul Halata, president and CEO of MBUSA. "Through this partnership, we can offer our customers the pleasure and comfort of driving a Mercedes even when they're away from home. For those guests who do not already own one of our
vehicles, we think it will be the way to top off a very enjoyable stay."

"This partnership is a perfect fit because both companies' customers share the same high expectation of service and quality," said Simon Cooper, president and chief operating officer of The Ritz-Carlton. "We rarely enter into long-term marketing relationships, but in this case, we did not
hesitate because of the incredible benefits to both our customers."

In addition, select hotel locations will use Mercedes-Benz models for their in-house transportation, such as M-Class sports utility vehicles for the new Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch ski resort opening in November and S-Class luxury sedans at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, Florida, a Mobil Five Star/AAA
Five Diamond resort.

For more information on Ritz Carlton, click here.
For more information on Mercedes-Benz, click here.