IRVING, Texas | The refreshing taste of orange blossoms, the celebration of local traditions or a whimsical view of Voodoo offer guests of various Omni Hotels a closer view of the distinct products, culture and flavor of their destination. Over the next 60 days, items such as Orange Blossom Pilsner, mystical Voodoo love dolls and Indy 500 model cars will add a local touch to the latest expansion of Omni Hotels' Sensation Bars across the U.S. Sensation Bars are unique, reinvented mini-bars exclusive to Omni Hotels, initially launched in 2006 as part of the luxury hotel brand's sensory initiatives. Sensation Bars provide fun, entertaining and indulgent sensations -- for each of the five senses -- in the guest room while also adding elements of the local culture to each destination.

"In addition to delivering a great hotel experience, it is our goal to create market-specific memories for our guests," said Stephen Rosenstock, senior vice president of brand standards for Omni Hotels. "A stay at an Omni Hotel always offers luxurious comforts, yet we also want each stay to include a memento of the local destination.

The following Omni Hotels will begin offering Sensation Bars with these distinct local tastes:

  • Omni Jacksonville Hotel: Orange Blossom Pilsner
  • Omni Interlocken Resort (between Denver and Boulder): Boulder Potato Chips
  • Omni Houston Hotel Westside: Lammes Texas Pecan Praline Chewies
  • Omni Majestic Hotel (St. Louis): Oversized Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate branded candy bars

The following cities boast great pride in their beloved traditions by offering guests the opportunity to take home a touch of the local spirit:

  • Omni Severin Hotel (Indianapolis): Indy 500 model car
  • Omni Royal Crescent Hotel (New Orleans): Voodoo love dolls
  • Omni San Diego Hotel: San Diego Padres souvenir
  • Omni Charlottesville Hotel: University of Virginia Cavaliers memento
  • Omni Austin Hotel Downtown and Omni Austin Hotel Southpark: A burnt orange souvenir representing The University of Texas Longhorns

Other indulgences in the Sensation Bars – which incorporate items for all the senses – are pomegranate lip balm, Dean & Deluca chocolate bars and cashews, mojito-flavored jellybeans, a sleep-inducing CD, eucalyptus bath salts, pillow spray, a miniature Zen garden and a moleskine notebook. Sensation Bar items are stylishly served up on a decorative tray adjacent to the refrigerated mini bar which continues to provide guest with the traditional items and expected favorites.

Omni Hotels tapped the experience of its industry-first Sensory Advisory Board to aid in localizing the new Sensation Bars. The 11-member board, composed of representatives of some of the world's most well-known and admired brands including Whole Foods Market, Bon Appetit magazine, Starbucks, Benziger Family winery, Apple(R) and Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spas, provides non- hospitality expertise to help Omni Hotels shape and create sensory initiatives developed to enhance the hotel experience for guests.

The expansion of the programs follows the successful launch of the localized Sensation Bars in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas and San Francisco.

About Omni Hotels

Omni Hotels was recently ranked "Highest in Guest Satisfaction Among Upscale Hotel Chains" in the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Study(SM) for the second year in a row. The brand creates compelling, memorable guest experiences by tempting the senses in innovative ways, surrounding them with a balanced blend of scents, sounds, sights, textures and tastes. Omni Hotels offers luxury accommodations at 40 hotels and resorts in leading business gateways and leisure destinations across North America. From exceptional golf and spa retreats to dynamic business settings, each location features four-diamond services, including award-winning signature restaurants, Wi-Fi connectivity and unique fitness options. Omni's mission for total customer service is further supported by its "Power of One" program that empowers associates to make on-the-spot decisions to meet or exceed guest expectations. Guests can locate hotels and book accommodations by visiting

http://www.omnihotels.com/ or by calling 1-800-THE-OMNI.

* The study is based on responses from 42,211 guests who stayed in a hotel between January and June 2006. Thirteen upscale hotel chains were ranked in the study. .

Michelle Bennett
+1 972/871-5623
Omni