DESIGN HOTELS IS FINDING INFINITY

THE PATH TO THE FUTURE:
DESIGN HOTELS™ IS FINDING INFINITY

Berlin, March 4, 2013 – The 20^th anniversary of Design Hotels™ is dedicated to a celebration of progress – how we got to where we are, and where we’re leaping to next. Looking back: past and present merge in the new edition of The Design Hotels™ Book appearing in a special XXL format with a deeper look at not only the stories behind each member hotel, but also the evolution of the company and the industry it has helped shape. Moving forward: a giant green step into the future, with the March 2013 launch of the far-reaching sustainability initiative Design Hotels™ is Finding Infinity in Berlin.

NOW WHEN DESIGN MEANS SUSTAINABILITY…
Since its inception in 1993, Design Hotels™ has championed innovation, the extraordinary and above all, creativity in the hospitality industry. Over the years, we’ve cast our net wider to include not only the hotels and the original personalities behind them, but also the greater Design Hotels™ community, which encompasses the larger network of neighborhoods and world travelers, out-of-the-box thinkers and creative opinion leaders. We believe that responsibility – on a social and environmental level – will become the bedrock of this community.

To get it kick started, Design Hotels™ has embarked on a full-speed-ahead initiative into the arena of corporate social responsibility. We’ve teamed up with Finding Infinity, an organization employing creative, grass-roots activities to set the path for a future based on infinite resources. This year’s far-reaching sustainability program Design Hotels™ is Finding Infinity will commence with an extended road trip and event series through Europe to inspire member hotels and the larger community to become a part of this future. This highly engaging and interactive platform will open the door to meaningful dialogue – and more importantly, actions.

JOINING CREATIVE FORCES
Our core partners on this journey will help us to fight climate change and protect the environment on a neighborhood level. Member hotels will benefit from EarthCheck, the leading eco-management and certification program which has already helped over 1,300 travel and tourism companies worldwide. The European Climate Foundation is a philanthropic body that promotes climate and energy policies. Its Roadmap 2050 project strives to radically reduce Europe’s greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2050.

The Design Hotels™ is Finding Infinity initiative is supported by partners who subscribe to the Design = Sustainability vision. Among them: MYKITA, a Berlin-based manufacturer of eyewear, has handcrafted the iconic sunglasses to symbolize Finding Infinity – shades of infinite vision. And Green Music Initiative, a platform for the entertainment industry to promote climate-compatible music and reduce CO2 emissions across all sectors.

For a behind the scenes look at the Finding Infinity initiative, follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/wearefindinginfinity

-Ends-

NOTE TO THE EDITORS
For additional information, images of The Design Hotels Book or a Design Hotels™ is Finding Infinity logo, please contact us:

Rosina Budhani                                                  Anja Voparil
r.budhani@designhotels.com                         a.voparil@designhotels.com
tel: +49 30-8849 400 33                                    tel: +49 30-8849 400 30

Or visit us at our stand at the ITB tourism fair in Berlin, March 6-10 in Hall 9, Stand 312!

ABOUT DESIGN HOTELS™

Design Hotels™ represents and markets a curated selection of 250 independent hotels in over 40 countries across the globe.

More than a collection of hotels, the company is a collection of stories. Each property reflects the ideas of a visionary hotelier, an “Original,” someone with a passion for genuine hospitality, cultural authenticity, thought-provoking design and architecture. Each “Original” stands for the individual, aesthetic and service driven experience that his or her hotel provides.

Founded by Claus Sendlinger in 1993, Design Hotels™ offers its members insightful travel industry knowledge, from market trend consultancy to international sales representation. The company has its headquarters in Berlin and branches in London, Barcelona, New York, Singapore and Perth.

www.designhotels.com and www.madebyoriginals.com