Historic Hotels of America(R) Presents 2008 Directory

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The 2008 Historic Hotels of America directory is available and offers new features to help travelers choose the hotel that best suits their needs and expectations.

"Historic Hotels of America showcases some of this country's greatest travel destinations -- full of the hospitality and amenities modern travelers require, while offering a sense of place, authenticity and diversity in experiences," says Thierry Roch, executive director of Historic Hotels of America.

The guide allows travelers to quickly determine if the hotel was originally built as a hotel or converted into a hotel. Identifiers describe the type of hotel (inn, hotel or resort) as well as the style of service (charming, classic or luxurious). Icons added in 2008 include one to identify the hotel's decor (traditional, contemporary or blended) and one indicating food and beverage services available.

The 2008 directory also highlights an interesting fact about each hotel. Here is a sampling:

-- Jekyll Island Club Hotel in Jekyll Island, Ga., was the site of the first transcontinental telephone call placed by AT&T president Theodore Vail on January 25, 1915.

-- Tennessee Williams finished writing a "Streetcar Named Desire" and John James Audubon produced a portion of his "Birds of America" series while in residence at the Hotel Maison de Ville and the Audubon Cottages in New Orleans.

-- Charles Pfister's art collection at The Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee remains the world's largest hotel collection of Victorian art.

To receive a copy of the 264-page Historic Hotels of America directory, send a $5.00 check or money order to HHA/Preferred Hotel Group, 38999 Eagle Way, Chicago, IL 60678-1389. Or, request a directory online at http://www.historichotels.org. Rooms at any of the member hotels can be reserved by visiting www.historichotels.org or by calling 800-678-8946.

Historic Hotels of America is a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and a brand of Preferred Hotel Group. Historic Hotels of America has identified 211 hotels in 39 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands that have faithfully maintained their historic integrity, architecture and ambiance.

To view the complete press release, visit: http://www.historichotels.org/press_release/1/75