Boston Marriott Copley Place goes on-line with a 'model' home page; Hotel's new home page will serve as prototype for Marriott International.

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 3, 1996--Incorporating some of today's most sophisticated Web technology, the Boston Marriott Copley Place recently introduced its new home page, which will serve as a corporate prototype for Marriott International.

The hotel's new site, which went on-line in July, features Quick Time Virtual Reality (QTVR), allowing site visitors to take a 360 degree movie-like tour of the property's lobby, meeting space and guest rooms. The site also includes detailed meeting space floor plans, real-time reservations capabilities, value dates; and it is linked to the Internet sites of more the 50 Boston-area attractions.

"Some of the technology we've incorporated -- particularly QTVR, which is produced using an electronic video monitor -- is very leading-edge in the hotel industry," said Bill Schallenberg, Web site manager for Marriott International. "We intend to use this technology in additional Marriott properties in the coming months."

"We've already had a terrific response to the home page," said Dave Keamy, director of marketing for the hotel. Meeting planners can actually review floor plans and the capacity of each of our meeting rooms, which is proving to be a very popular feature. Additionally, there's been an increasing number of people who have made reservations on-line," he added.

The floor plans are available for each of the hotel's 35 meeting rooms, its 22,500 square-foot exhibit hall and 23,500 square-foot grand ballroom. Each room is shown with detailed dimensions and can be reviewed to determine the best layout for equipment/seating, how much space is needed, and the maximum number of people a room can hold; a description of each room's features and equipment also is provided.

Reservations for the next day, next month or next year can be made on-line using the real-time reservation feature; an area attraction guide, which is "hyper linked" to approximately 50 of the city's most popular attractions, also is available. Additionally, complete menus for each of the hotel's restaurants, and a list of group and convention value dates (when the hotel's rates are most flexible) is provided. For more information visit the Copley Marriott's home page at www.marriott.com/marriott/copley, or call 617/236-5800, or send an e-mail to Dave Keamy, director of marketing at [e-mail].

The Copley Marriott continues to play a leading technological role among convention hotels; and last November, it began offering direct Internet access to its group customers in all 35 meeting rooms, its 22,500 square-foot exhibit hall and its 23,500 square-foot grand ballroom, totaling over 60,000 square-feet.

Boston Marriott Copley Place is located at 110 Huntington Avenue in Boston's Back Bay, just 15 minutes from Logan International Airport. One of the flagship properties of Marriott International, Boston Marriott Copley Place is the undisputed leader among Boston's business, leisure and convention hotels.

Located within the Copley Place shopping gallery, the hotel is just steps away from more than 100 upscale restaurants and shops and an 11-screen movie theater. In addition to unsurpassed accommodations, service and meeting facilities, the Boston Marriott Copley Place boasts some of the city's finest dining and entertainment at Bello Mondo's, Gourmeli's, The Sushi Bar, The Terrace Lounge and Champion's Restaurant & Sports Bar.

CONTACT: Spitfire Communications

Colleen Jezersek, 508/745-8200