Print Press Release

April 5, 2006 Media Contact: Kelly Chamberlin Chamberlin Public Relations 415.336.4332 kelly@chamberlinpr.com PERSONALITY HOTELS UNDERGOES A MAKEOVER Hotel Diva, Hotel Union Square and Hotel Metropolis Get a Fresh New Look San Francisco, CA - Personality Hotels, San Francisco’s original boutique hotel company, is currently renovating three of their five boutique hotel properties - Hotel Union Square, Hotel Diva and Hotel Metropolis. Hotel Union Square Hotel Union Square, San Francisco’s original boutique hotel, is being restored back to its original glory, outfitted in 1930’s art deco style. The renovation honors famous scribe Dashiell Hammett, who loved the hotel so much he booked his bride-to-be Josephine Dolan in a suite on the night before their 1921 wedding. The first chapter of the renovation to be completed this March is the hotel lobby, designed by Personality Hotels’ President and CEO Yvonne Lembi-Detert and Lisa Sayed, interior designer and partner of their new interior design company Sisterhood of the Traveling Hotels. Fashioned in a speakeasy/art deco theme, the lobby boasts a gorgeous cream travertine tile and black granite floor with black granite and glass mosaic tile columns. The walls are covered in richly textured sage green pleated patterned wallpaper and are adorned with round art deco-style mirrors and a large Erte painting.  The hotel’s original 1915 Egyptian-motif mosaic murals, located in the lobby entryway, have been encased in gold glass bead wall covering. Luminaire chandeliers with cascading glass beads hang from circular dombs hand painted with an original art deco pattern by San Francisco artist Kemit Amenaphis. Complementing the lobby is a furnishing ensemble outfitted in coral velveteen with a geometric art deco pattern trimmed in black.  A flat screen television disguised as an oversized wall mirror plays Dashiell Hammett movies.   The reception and concierge desks, illuminated by round milk glass lights, have been resurfaced with cherry wood and brass trim. Antique microphones and original photos of Dashiell Hammett with his family, donated by Hammett’s granddaughter Julia Hammett, decorate the wall behind the front desk. The eclectic history of the hotel is chronicled above the front reception desk, tracing its opening in 1913 to its current day splendor. A special “Dashiell Hammett Suite” created by San Francisco-based artist and interior designer Lisa Compagno was completed in January 2006. From the two stainless steel eyes in the entrance (a reference to Hammett's story "The Girl with the Silver Eyes”) to the hand towels adorned with Hammett’s image in the bathroom, no detail has been overlooked in this large corner suite. Special touches include: an antique suitcase filled with Hammett books; an old fashioned typewriter; a collage dedicated to Hammett’s books and movies; black and white photos of Hammett's wife and daughters; a vintage-style radio; and a mural of "The Shadow of the Thin Man.” The next chapter of the renovation, beginning in Fall 2006, includes the upgrade of 50 guestrooms to executive rooms catering to the corporate traveler. In addition, the two penthouses will undergo a complete soft goods renovation. The executive rooms will be outfitted in taupe, ice blue and plum tones, and will have amenities such as flat screen televisions, microwaves, black and cherry wood headboards with attached side tables, and desks equipped with office supplies. The building now occupied by Hotel Union Square at 114 Powell Street was originally constructed as the Golden West Hotel in 1913 for the 1915 Panama Pacific International Exposition, which ran from February 20 to December 4, 1915. In the 1950s, the hotel was renamed the Golden State Hotel. Personality Hotels purchased the building in 1980 and opened the 131-room Hotel Union Square in 1982. Hotel Diva Hotel Diva is currently getting a cutting-edge upgrade by the hotel’s original designer, San Francisco-based Olle Lundberg of Lundberg Design. Well-known for elegant, modern lines and an emphasis on materials, Mr. Lundberg’s numerous other projects include San Francisco's renowned Slanted Door restaurant located in the Ferry Building and Oracle Founder Larry Ellison's residence. He is currently designing the interior of new Virgin America corporate headquarters based in Burlingame, CA. The sexy new lobby, completed in February 2006, features a large flat screen television that plays “Diva-style” movies and Italian furniture including a polished stainless steel table by Maxalto and Metropolitan swivel chairs in aborigine leather by B&B. All of the guestrooms, also completed in February 2006, have special touches such as: DVD players; bedding in steel grey avora morie and ultra suede materials; conceptual lithographs by Georgiana Nehl; bedside lighting by Artimide; and “Gloss” desk lamps in translucent tangerine by local San Francisco Designer Pablo. All suites feature flat paneled televisions. Brand new cobalt carpeting has been installed throughout the entire hotel. Next on the horizon - the meeting room will be completely renovated and ready by Fall 2006. Featuring a black and sepia color scheme, the room will be styled with: highly textured carpet tiles by Interface; a golden onyx and steel underlet buffet custom designed and built by Lundberg Design; Carre modular tables by Davis Furniture in brushed metal; CornFlake chairs by Offect upholstered in Divina Melange felted wool by Qvadrat; and lighting by Artimide, EOS and Starship. Constructed in 1915, the building that houses Hotel Diva was originally built as the Somerton Hotel, which was home to many returning World War II soldiers. Personality Hotels purchased the building In the mid-1980s and opened the ultra-modern, 115-room Hotel Diva in 1985. Hotel Diva, located at 440 Geary Street, continues today to be one of San Francisco’s most cutting-edge hotels. Hotel Metropolis Hotel Metropolis is currently undergoing a complete soft-goods renovation, to be completed in May 2006. Keeping with the current elements of life theme of earth, wind, fire and water, all guestrooms will have new bedding and the entire hotel will have new carpeting. Constructed in 1910, this Spanish Revivalist building formally housed the Oxford Hotel until Personality Hotels opened Hotel Metropolis in 1999. Celebrating the elements of earth, wind, fire and water, vivid Hotel Metropolis is a tranquil urban oasis with a relaxing Zen-like feel that permeates the hotel with a contemporary palette of acid green, taupe, sun-burst yellow and aquamarine. The gorgeous lobby welcomes guests with a cascading slate-wall waterfall and a Spanish Colonial Revivalist ceiling restored by San Francisco artist Michael Brennan. Vivid colors, unique design, rich fabrics and custom furniture adorn each of the 105 guest rooms. About Personality Hotels Established in 1982, Personality Hotels is San Francisco’s original boutique hotel company. From a quaint European-style suite to a zenful night's sleep amid sounds of a tropical rain forest, Personality Hotels can oblige. Celebrating the unique personality in all of us, Personality Hotels consists of an eclectic collection of five San Francisco boutique hotels including the flagship property sexy Hotel Diva, vivid Hotel Metropolis, authentic Hotel Union Square, grand Kensington Park Hotel and the timeless Steinhart Hotel. Located in the center of the action, all Personality Hotels are within walking distance of Union Square shopping, theatres and restaurants. For more information or to make a reservation, please visit www.personalityhotels.com or call 800.553.1900.