FEATURE/Emily Morgan Hotel Hosts Gumball 3000 and San Antonio's ``Ugly King''; Pop Stars, Car Racers and ``El Rey Feo'' Party Next Door to Alamo.

Feature Editors/Business Editors

FEATURE...

SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 22, 2003

The historic Emily Morgan Hotel, next-door to the world-famous Alamo, had a colorful spring of pop stars, race cars and Fiesta royalty: just another round of offbeat and high-profile events that have defined the hotel's new role as San Antonio's "downtown diva" since its grand re-opening last July.

The landmark hotel hosted two of the city's most-talked about attractions: the San Diego-to-Miami Gumball 3000 celebrity car race and the 10-day reign of El Rey Feo LV, the much-loved "Ugly King" of San Antonio's annual Fiesta Week.

"It was madness and mayhem and I loved every minute of it," said General Manager H.L. "Scooter" Yates Jr. "Emily was definitely the place to be for Fiesta 2003 -- and we threw a couple of parties like you've never seen in San Antonio!"

Local movers and shakers are still commenting on the overnight party for 150 Gumball drivers, including race founder Maximillion Cooper, pop princess Pink, skateboarding champ Tony Hawk and the crew of MTV's "Jackass." Yates greeted each car as it arrived, offering everything from valet parking in front of the Alamo to free flowing Smirnoff vodka martinis and gourmet food served by Executive Chef Mike Dimas until 4 a.m. at the hotel's popular gold-themed Oro restaurant.

Rey Feo LV, Dr. Leonel Reyes, who raised more than $250,000 for Hispanic scholarships, brought a royal entourage of 40 people who enjoyed the Emily Morgan's hospitality for 10 days -- a $40,000 in-kind contribution by the famed hotel.

Yates and Dimas also staged two major culinary achievements for the king and his court: a cocktail buffet at the San Antonio Museum of Art, and a candlelit formal dinner at the Alamo.

Built in 1926, the 13-story, 177-room Emily Morgan Hotel underwent a multi-million-dollar renovation last year. It is owned by Alamo Hotels Inc. and managed by Westmont Hospitality Group. In addition to a classic Gothic revival facade and stylish, comfortable rooms with extensive amenities, the hotel offers 2,500 square feet of meeting space. For more information and pictures of recent events, visit www.emilymorganhotel.com. Or contact Ken Slavin at [e-mail].