Millennium Hotels and Resorts North America Launches Ask Alfred Children's Program This Summer

NEW YORK, June 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Kicking off the summer season with a special focus on its youngest guests, Millennium Hotels and Resorts North America will launch its Ask Alfred Children's Concierge, an exciting new offering for families, on July 10 in conjunction with National Teddy Bear Picnic Day.  In key gateway city hotels (New York, Boston, Chicago and Los Angeles) the launch will be marked with celebrations featuring various children's activities such as picnic parties, the Teddy Bear Dance, cookie-decorating and more.

Born at Millennium Hotels in the U.K., the program's star namesake Alfred the bear will bring big smiles to the hotels' smallest guests when he makes his debut in the U.S. as part of a custom-designed children's amenity kit in partnership with leading toy company Melissa & Doug^® and organic candy maker Surf Sweets^®.

For stays from July 10 onwards, the Ask Alfred amenity can be added on to any room booking made at a Millennium hotel in the U.S. for an additional $15 per child.  Kids will enjoy an Ask Alfred cinch backpack filled with goodies including: an exclusive Ask Alfred cuddly Teddy Bear, Surf Sweets natural and organic Gummy Bears, a crayon activity set by Melissa & Doug, Alfred's Lovable Stickables and a set of 12 collectible Color Me postcards featuring Alfred on his travels.  Kids are welcome to drop off the postcards at the Concierge desk for complimentary mailing.

Millennium Hotels and Resorts will donate $2 from each Ask Alfred amenity sold to The Dream Factory, which grants the dreams of critically and chronically ill children. 

"We are thrilled to introduce Ask Alfred at our U.S. hotels," said Matthew T. Mrozinksi, President, North America.  "Our hotels are located in some great family friendly destinations so it's only natural that kids begin their vacation memories at our hotels with Ask Alfred." 

This summer, guests can take advantage Ask Alfred by adding it on to the Summer FREEdom package available through September 7 with 15 percent off accommodations, up to $50 food and beverage credit, complimentary privileges such as Internet and breakfast for children ages five and under.  With a nod to the program's UK roots, Millennium Hotels and Resorts will be featuring a limited edition British Ask Alfred teddy bear for the program's launch.

Terms and conditions apply.  For more information, visit http://www.millenniumhotels.com

Millennium Hotels and Resorts North America

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc (M&C), listed on the London Stock Exchange since 1996, is a dynamic, global hotel company, which owns, asset manages and/or operates a worldwide portfolio of over 100 hotels across seven distinct global brands – Grand Millennium, Millennium, Grand Copthorne, Copthorne, M Hotel, Studio M and Kingsgate – throughout Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East, and North America.

Millennium Hotels and Resorts (MHR) was established as a global brand by Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc to provide a common marketing and operating platform across its entire portfolio.  Founded on the philosophy of genuine hospitality, this dynamic hospitality group has an outstanding reputation for excellence, taking pride in exceeding the needs of its business and leisure travelers.  The strategic locality of its properties in gateway cities such as London, Paris, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Singapore, Beijing, Shanghai, Seoul, Taipei, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, and Bangkok makes MHR the perfect address to conduct your business or indulge yourself while on holiday.

Established in the United States in 2000, the North American arm of MHR includes a portfolio 14 hotels in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Anchorage, Boulder, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Durham, Minneapolis, Nashville, and Scottsdale.  www.millenniumhotels.com

About Melissa & Doug^®

Melissa and Doug started their toy company 25 years ago, in the garage of the home where Doug grew up. Since then, the company has become one of the most trusted names in children's products, and 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 worldwide.  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.  www.melissaanddoug.com

About Surf Sweets^®

Surf Sweets is the country's leading organic and natural non-chocolate chewy candy brand, specializing in tasty fruit gummy candies and jellybeans.  Using all natural ingredients, Surf Sweets are free of artificial colors and flavors, non-GMO, gluten free and certified USDA organic.  Surf Sweets offers a variety of candies: Fruity Bears, Sour Berry Bears, Sour Worms, Fruity Hearts, Gummy Bears, Watermelon and Peach Rings, Jelly Beans and Organic Trick or Treat Packs that are available across North America. Products are made and packaged in the United States in a facility free of the 10 most common food allergens.  Surf Sweets is also a proud member of 1% for the Planet, donating a minimum of 1% of the sales from products to a number of environmental organizations.  www.surfsweets.com    

About The Dream Factory

The Dream Factory (a 501(c)(3) organization) is a volunteer-based, not-for-profit organization devoted to granting the dreams of critically and chronically ill children aged 3 through 18.  The Dream Factory operates 33 chapters with more than 5000 volunteers.  Founded in 1980 in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, the organization does not limit its mission to children who have life-threatening illness.  The organization believes that children with chronic illnesses and disorders also suffer from substantial emotional and physical pain.  The Dream Factory has grown to become the largest wish-granting organization to grant dreams to chronically ill children in the United States, and is the second-largest national children's wish-granting organization. Relying on the generous support of individuals, corporations, and foundations, the organization accomplishes its mission through cash and in-kind donations along with the help of thousands of volunteers.  Ninety percent of all money raised by The Dream Factory is used to grant dreams.  This record of success has been recognized by Charity Navigator as a four-star charity, its highest rating.  Charity Navigator is the largest and most utilized evaluator of charities.  www.dreamfactoryinc.org 

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SOURCE Millennium Hotels and Resorts North America