First NYC Hotel to Introduce Allergen-Friendly Guest Rooms

March 27, 2007 – The deluxe Premier Hotel in Times Square (a Millennium Hotels and Resorts property) is breaking new ground, changing the quality of travel and wellness of its guests with the introduction of its new Premier Pure rooms which feature an allergen-friendly environment. The Premier Pure rooms are free of 98% of bacteria and viruses which are eliminated via a special purification technique. The hotel is also introducing therapeutic natural skin care products by LATHER as its bath amenities.

The Premier is the first New York City hotel to introduce allergen-friendly rooms utilizing an innovative, one-of-a-kind high-tech cleansing and maintenance process developed by Pure Solutions, North America. Premier Pure rooms are available on three floors of The Premier (16 guest rooms), the Penthouse and Fitness Center. This is the first Fitness Center in the New York and the world that has received this utterly new process. Each room has been treated comprehensively to remove allergens from all surfaces, fabrics and air flow.

The innovative and rigorous conversion process designed by Pure Solutions ensures that heaters and air conditioners are deep cleaned and sanitized then equipped with the company’s patented Tea Tree Oil Cartridge. PURE Tea Tree Oil is an all natural antiseptic and disinfectant gel that maintains the sanitary conditions created during the initial conversion process. Soft surfaces are cleansed then sanitized to eliminate contaminants that trigger allergies. The room next undergoes a 4-5 hour high ozone shock treatment to kill any remaining living organisms and their associated odors. A bacteriostatic barrier called Pure Shield is then applied on virtually all surfaces to minimize the growth of bacteria.

To maintain ideal conditions in the room, a state-of-the-art air purification system is installed, creating air quality that averages four times cleaner than the threshold for asthma patients. This system is registered by the FDA as a Class II medical device. Special micro-fiber hypo-allergenic pillow cases and mattress covers are used in the room to eliminate dust, dander and dust-mite related allergens usually associated with common bedding.

The Premier Pure Room concept is envisioned by Millennium Hotels and Resorts as part of a program provide the best experience to its guests. The allergy friendly environment is meant not only to provide a clean-air environment but also to help ease respiratory problems, asthma and allergies. Medical research shows that more than 70 million Americans suffer from various airborne allergies or asthma.

In June 2006, the 125-room Premier also converted to a fully non-smoking facility. The hotel’s smoking rooms (24 rooms in total) underwent a special deep cleaning process prior to conversion to non-smoking rooms. The Premier became one of the first non-smoking deluxe hotels in New York City.

The hotel is also introducing LATHER bath amenities including body, skin, and hair care products made from the finest and most effective natural ingredients including essential oils, antioxidants, extracts from rare fruits and herbs. LATHER may go to the ends of the earth to source ingredients, but packaging is kept clean and simple. That’s because LATHER believes “it’s what’s inside” that counts.

Some product examples include LATHER’s Bamboo Crème collection which draws on the hydrating benefits of shea butter and micronized bamboo to moisturize skin and hair. The combination of products works together, providing rich, creamy formulas that gently cleanse and condition without stripping skin of its natural oils. Delicate scents of mandarin, lavender and chamomile restore balance to the senses and impart a sense of renewal.

“Guests are becoming more concerned with health and wellness and nearly one in four travelers suffer from some form of allergy. We believe that our Premier Pure Rooms will make our guests more comfortable and healthier,” said Per Hellman, vice president and general manager, The Premier. “I think our guests will notice the difference in the freshness and how clean the air is in the Premier Pure Rooms.”

“Microscopic irritants such as pollen, dust, dust mites, mold or fungi, bacteria and even chemicals such as chlorine, can prompt an allergic or asthmatic reaction, especially when airborne. These contaminants exist everywhere, however according to the EPA, air in a typical indoor environment can be 70% to 100% more contaminated than outside air,” said Brian Brault, chief executive officer, Pure Solutions, North America.

“The Pure system reduces or eliminates biohazards and other irritants from all room surfaces and filters them from the air. Bedding, carpeting, walls, furniture, air conditioning systems, water and practically everything in the room is specially treated to remove contaminants and significantly hinder their return.”

“We are excited to bring our products to New York City and The Premier which showcases our efforts to create the highest quality skin and body care products,” said Emilie Davidson Hoyt, founder and president of LATHER. “What sets LATHER apart from other products is our dedication to finding and cultivating the finest ingredients from around the world which make a difference to our customers.”

For further information on Millennium Hotels and Resorts, call 866-866-8086 or visit www.millenniumhotels.com.

SOURCE Millennium and Copthorne Hotels