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.
