zipcar

Contact: Caroline Kerrigan, Quinn & Co., 212-868-1900 x253; ckerrigan@quinnandco.com

AKA Hands Over the Keys:
Extended-Stay Brand Extends City Limits
For Guests with Zipcar Partnership

Complimentary Subscription To World’s Largest Car Share Service
Gives Travelers Freedom to Explore Outer Limits of NYC, Philly & DC

Plymouth Meeting, PA – February 28, 2008 – This March, AKA guests will receive a new set of keys upon check-in…car keys! In an exclusive partnership, a first for both companies, AKA is putting guests in the driver’s seat with a complimentary one-year membership to Zipcar, the world’s largest car sharing company (a $50 value).* AKA is enabling guests to have a luxury nearly unheard of in populated cities such as New York, unlimited access to a car, for as little as an hour at a time. By providing guests with turn-key access to a vehicle on demand, this extended stay brand is giving travelers the freedom to explore beyond city limits at all of its properties in New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. With AKA’s target clientele staying 30 days or longer, there is plenty of time to adventure out beyond the city limits in some of the country’s most popular locations.

Approval is fast and easy with a quick online application; then guests simply pick up the digital key-card to their Zipcar at the front desk of any of the nine AKA properties. For road trip suggestions and inspiration, each property will arm drivers with a list of the best local, seasonal getaways such as apple picking in the fall, outlet shopping during the holidays, skiing in the winter, lazy days at the beach during summer, to name a few. AKA will also provide GPS units for those directionally-challenged guests and picnic baskets and other car-appropriate amenities can be arranged by the concierge. Available at a moment’s notice, with rentals by day or by hour, Zipcars are strategically parked in garages within walking distance of each AKA location. All fuel, insurance and reserved parking spaces are included in Zipcar rates, which start as low as $7 per hour. In New York City a five minute taxi ride can cost more than that.

“Our guests are away from home for extended periods of time,” said Larry Korman, AKA co-president and director of general operations. “At AKA we are continually looking to provide travelers with comforts and conveniences they would associate with home. Having access to a car on a moment’s notice gives our guests the freedom to go beyond their suites and the cities they are in. This exclusive partnership further embodies AKA’s commitment go above and beyond in the amenities we provide our long-term stay guests.”

Nightly rates for a 30-day stay at AKA properties start at $245 for New York, $150 for Philadelphia and $175 for the Washington, D.C. area.** For reservations or additional information, please visit www.stay-aka.com or call (866) AKA-9999.

AKA, a division of Korman Communities, is an innovative, new and growing collection of luxury extended-stay properties in prime urban locations. Current AKA residences are in: New York City (4); Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., White Plains, NY, and Arlington and Herndon, VA, with plans to own and operate 20 properties worldwide by 2010. Across the brand, architecturally inspired spacious accommodations, which range from studios to two-bedroom penthouse suites, offer the privacy of contemporary apartments infused with hotel services. While each property is unique and has distinct guest offerings, all properties feature the AKA brand standards and amenities of: fitness centers; full-service business centers with meetings space and complimentary high-speed Internet access; complimentary weekday club breakfasts with La Colombe coffee, yogurt, fruit and baked goods; en-suite dining; same-day, valet dry-cleaning and laundry service; 24-hour front desk assistance; dedicated doormen, concierge services and full-time, on-site management and maintenance. All suites include top-of the-line kitchens, contemporary furnishings, luxurious bathrooms, meticulous housekeeping; extended digital cable with HBO, DVD players, and complimentary Wi-Fi access. Personalized service is a hallmark of AKA. For reservations and information, please visit www.stay-aka.com or call (866) AKA-999.

Zipcar is the world's leading car share service, with more than 180,000 members and vehicles in major metropolitan areas and colleges campuses in more than 50 cities, including Boston, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Washington, DC, Vancouver, Toronto and London, England. As a leading urban lifestyle brand, Zipcar provides a convenient, environmentally friendly and cost effective transportation alternative for individuals, businesses and universities throughout the United Kingdom and 18 North American states and provinces. For more information, visit www.zipcar.com.

*Zipcar memberships valid for one year from date of stay. Membership will be granted upon confirming a person’s valid driving license and approved driving history.
**Rates subject to change and based on availability. Taxes and surcharges not included.

sleep school

AKA Partners with NYU School of Medicine Sleep Disorders Center & New York Sleep Institute to Provide Sleep Solutions that Go Beyond the Bed

According to the National Institute of Health, approximately 70 million people in the United States are affected by a sleep problem. Travelers are most susceptible to restless nights, as a new sleeping environment coupled with jet lag can take its toll on one's body. AKA, a luxury extendedstay brand, is taking serious shuteye to the next level with the AKA Sleep School. In partnership with the New York University School of Medicine Sleep Disorders Center and the New York Sleep Institute, AKA is creating a comprehensive program to ensure guests get a good night's rest during their visit and after they return to their homes. Guests can choose customized accommodations, participate in evening Sleep School seminars and benefit from in-room screenings with board-certified sleep specialists. The AKA Sleep School debuts in November to coincide with National Sleep Comfort Month.

"We are addressing guests' sleep concerns and helping them find solutions that go beyond the pillow and the bed," said Larry Korman, co-president and director of general operations for AKA, who struggles with getting enough rest himself. "While many in the hospitality industry focus on the bed, we learned from our partners at NYU and the New York Sleep Institute that all aspects of the room, from the lighting to mirrors to alarms clocks, must be taken into consideration," he continued. "Since AKA's extended-stay guests typically stay 30 days or more, our sleep-school students will have a healthy amount of time to put what they learn into practice."

Guest Rooms Selected and Customized Based on Sleep Patterns
In-room sunlight plays a significant role regarding one's sleeping habits. At AKA United Nations, guests who have trouble falling asleep will be placed in a southwesterly-facing suite on a lower floor with minimal exposure to the sun, while guests who have trouble waking up in the morning will feel the rays coming through the window in a front-facing suite on a higher floor. For those with stronger sleep aversions, AKA properties will be outfitted with light boxes, black-out drapes and light-sensitive alarm clocks. Since televisions and bedroom mirrors can also be a distraction, each can be removed or covered upon request. Customized suite selection is available free of charge.

AKA Sleep School Seminars
Road warriors, leisure travelers and local residents are invited to participate in hour-long, evening sleep seminars to get educated on this common affliction. Highly accredited professionals from the New York University School of Medicine Sleep Disorders Center or the New York Sleep Institute will discuss topics such as pre-bedtime routines, sleep myths, tips on how to combat sleep apnea and more. In lieu of coffee, green tea will be served to help attendees stay focused throughout the class. The monthly workshops will take place at one of the New York City AKA properties. The first session is slated for November 27 at 7 p.m. at AKA United Nations. Seminars are offered free of charge to AKA guests. Advanced reservations are requested.

Private In-Room Screenings
When counting sheep and warm milk isn't doing the trick, AKA guests can take advantage of oneon- one in-room screenings. For an additional fee, experts from NYU and NYSI will make house calls to AKA guests' suites to assess individual sleeping patterns and make recommendations. Guests who require a comprehensive sleep study can undergo further evaluation at the nearby New York University School of Medicine Sleep Disorders Center and the New York Sleep Institute facilities. AKA guests will be billed directly by the accredited sleep facilities.

The AKA Sleep School will initially be available at AKA's four Manhattan properties: AKA Central Park, AKA Times Square, AKA Sutton Place and AKA United Nations. Please mention SLEEP when booking. Located at 724 Second Avenue, the New York Sleep Institute is an accredited center of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and provides the highest patient care standards in the field of sleep medicine. The center provides a complete evaluation and treatment of all types of sleep disturbances and on-staff sleep specialists are board certified in sleep medicine and are experienced in treating sleep disorders in both adults and children. Situated at 462 First Avenue, the New York University School of Medicine Sleep Disorders Center is a clinical and research service available to assist physicians and patients in the diagnosis and treatment of severe or prolonged difficulties regarding sleep. The center is outfitted with state-of-the-art recording equipment and is also equipped for in hospital monitoring for screening and follow up purposes. The staff is multidisciplinary and experienced in the treatment of various sleep disorders. As part of the NYU School of Medicine, the center serves as the training site for medical staff interested in sleep disorders.