Berkeley Marina Radisson Hotel to Re-Open in Grand Style; A Celebration to Benefit Fund for Bay Area Children.

BERKELEY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 11, 1998--The Berkeley Marina Radisson Hotel will open its doors in grand fashion on Thursday, Sept. 17 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. with a re-opening celebration unlike any other.

A Casino Night to benefit the Dr. Kerry Spooner Dean Fund for Bay Area children will highlight an evening where everyone is a winner and any gamble is guaranteed to pay off. It's a celebration to remember with proceeds going to a very special cause.

The Dr. Kerry Spooner Dean Fund was established after the young pediatrician's tragic death, to help realize her dream of providing mobile health care to poor and homeless Bay Area children. To help assist in making Dr. Spooner Dean's wish become a reality, Children's Hospital Oakland is offering child health educational services to homeless shelters and Head Starts on a limited basis.

With the proceeds from the Berkeley Marina Radisson Casino Night, the program will be able to do much more for the underprivileged children ofthe community.

Guests of the Radisson Hotel are invited to try their luck at card games, roulette, craps and slot machines for a chance to win a host of wonderful prizes. Complimentary food and beverages will be served while the musical styling of the popular jazz musician Peter Horvath will fill the air.

With the Radisson's panoramic views of the bay, games, food and entertainment for all and proceeds going to support a truly inspirational cause, this night will be one few will soon forget. The event is open to the public with tickets sold at the door for $15, which includes food samplings from the Radisson's chef, Paul Kerns, starter chips for the casino and automatic raffle chances for fantastic prizes.

After undergoing a multi-million dollar new look earlier this year, the Berkeley Marina Radisson Hotel, formerly the Berkeley Marina Marriott, is a premiere full-service hotel with a location unmatched by any other. The emergence of Radisson Hotels Worldwide, a leader in its industry, into Berkeley is another step toward the resurgence of the greater East Bay area as an attractive and growing alternative to the inner-city. It's not just the city "across the bay" anymore.

The only hotel in the Bay Area actually located right on the Bay, this 375-room hotel is surrounded by breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge, the San Francisco skyline, Angel Island, Mount Tamalpais in Marin County and the hills of Oakland and Berkeley. These historic landmarks and "postcard images" appear to be within one's reach and, with the Radisson Hotel's prime central location, they practically are.

Visitors to the hotel are minutes away from access to wonders of San Francisco or the sights and sounds of Berkeley's culturally unique downtown area. Other nearby attractions include the University of California at Berkeley, Napa Valley's wine country, the shorelines of Monterey and Carmel and much more.

The relaxing and beautiful setting of the Berkeley Marina Radisson Hotel makes for a perfect mix for those who want to combine both business and leisure. The hotel is fully equipped with meeting, banquet and convention space as well as an enormous Grand Ballroom.

In addition, the Radisson offers recreational facilities for all, including two indoor pools, two whirlpools and sauna, a fully equipped health club and access to nearby recreation such as Hornblower and Yacht charters, sailboat and motorboat rentals, windsurfing, golf and tennis.

With the renovation, the Radisson Hotel Berkeley Marina now fashions an exterior look in a New-England-style seaside resort theme. Upgrades are visible both inside and out with improvements to the guest rooms, restaurants and lounge, lobby and all ballrooms and function rooms.

"Our hotel's exclusive location is easily accessible from any direction and we take great pride in the fact that it's the only full service hotel located directly on the San Francisco Bay. Our customers are certain to Tennoji our new look and we are committed to continue to operate the hotel with the same outstanding service they come to expect," said Brij Misra, general manager.

"We are excited to bring the Radisson name to this beautiful northern California location," said Brian Stage, president and COO of Radisson Hotels Worldwide. "We are committed to offering world-class service and facilities in each of the nearly 350 locations in 42 countries where we are operating."

For further information on the Berkeley Marina Radisson Hotel's re-grand opening celebration and fundraising event for the Dr. Kerry Spooner Dean Fund, please call 925/735-1015.

    CONTACT: Radisson Hotel
              Kathy Jacobson, 925/735-1015