Family Travel Made Easy with Preferred Family and Melissa & Doug®

CHICAGO, July 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Preferred Hotel Group™, a family-owned company that provides sales, marketing and distribution services to independent hotels and resorts around the world, is proud to announce a new partnership between its Preferred Family program and award-winning toy brand Melissa & Doug. Known for the value, quality, and design of its classic and creative toys in nearly every category of children's play, Melissa & Doug is joining forces with the global hotel company to promote fun and easy family travel.

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"Preferred Hotel Group is delighted to partner with another family-owned brand that shares our commitment to creating long-lasting memories and enjoyable experiences for family travelers of all ages," said Gail Ueberroth, Chief Marketing Officer, Preferred Hotel Group.

The partnership includes joint marketing initiatives via social media, travel giveaways to some of the 200 Preferred Family Certified hotels worldwide, as well as the chance to win Melissa & Doug's most popular toys and travel goods, including Trunki. The ultimate ride-on suitcase, Trunki keeps children entertained while traveling and protects their precious items.

"We are excited to work with Preferred Hotel Group and their Preferred Family Certified program," said Melissa, co-founder of Melissa & Doug. "We understand the special needs of family travelers, and we are happy that we can partner with a company that shares our vision of helping families have the best possible experience at play."

To celebrate the partnership, Preferred Hotel Group and Melissa & Doug are launching the Preferred Family Packing for Fun Giveaway on Facebook with a grand prize of a four-night stay for four at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel in Hawaii, plus two Trunkis loaded with Melissa & Doug's most popular items. Beginning today, visitors to the Preferred Family website, as well as visitors to the Preferred and Melissa & Doug social media channels, can enter by "liking" Preferred Hotel Group on Facebook and completing an entry form telling what items they never leave home without when packing for a family vacation.

The Preferred Family Packing for Fun Giveaway will run through August 17, when the grand prize will be awarded based on a random drawing. A variety of toys and travel goods from Melissa & Doug will also be given away throughout the promotion.

To enter, please visit www.facebook.com/IPrefer.PreferredHotelGroup.

Follow Preferred Family and Melissa & Doug on Twitter: @phgfamilytravel and @melissaanddoug

About Preferred Family

The Preferred Family collection from Preferred Hotel Group comprises more than 200 hotels and resorts that celebrate the specific needs of traveling families and provide exceptional family travel experiences in the world's greatest destinations. With kid-friendly amenities, customized programs, and age-appropriate activities for young guests and their grown-up traveling companions, Preferred Family Certified hotels and resorts represent a unique dedication to understanding and embracing guests of all ages. The Preferred Family Certification program qualifies hotels based on their offerings for children from infants to teenagers. To be eligible, hotels must meet comprehensive criteria in five age-specific categories - hotel amenities, facilities, programs, services, and entertainment.

For more information on Preferred Family, special family offers, and to plan a stay, visit www.PreferredFamily.com.

About Preferred Hotel Group™
With a global reach extending into more than 85 countries, Preferred Hotel Group represents more than 650 of the finest hotels, resorts, and serviced residences in the world. Preferred Hotel Group's brands include Preferred Hotels® & Resorts, Preferred Boutique™, Summit Hotels & Resorts™, Sterling Hotels™ , Sterling Design, and Summit Serviced Residences™. Travelers gain valuable benefits through branded programs that include Preferred Residences™, Preferred Golf ™, I Prefer™ Guest Benefit Program, and Preferred Family, a collection of hotels and resorts certified to provide a rich experience for travelers of all ages. For more information, visit us on the web at www.PreferredHotelGroup.com and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

About Melissa & Doug

Melissa and Doug started their toy company 24 years ago, in the garage of the home where Doug grew up. Since then, their classic wooden toys, outdoor activities, puzzles, travel games and gear have been embraced by families worldwide, and company has become one of the most trusted names in children's products. Melissa & Doug, LLC, has created nearly 2,000 toys, games and activities spanning virtually every category of children's play. Its products are available through a unique distribution network of specialty retailers in 80 countries. Melissa and Doug's mission has remained the same through the years: to offer products with tremendous value, quality and design, and to make each and every customer a happy and permanent member of the Melissa & Doug family.

Melissa and Doug live with their own personal "test market"—their six children ages 4 to 18. Melissa & Doug, LLC, is based in Wilton, Connecticut. To see the full range of products visit MelissaAndDoug.com.

SOURCE Preferred Hotel Group