Hyatt Hotels & Resorts First Hotel Chain to Create Destination-Specific Digital Download Music Program

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts announced its new digital download music pilot program, in partnership with leading digital music agency Audiosuite, at Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch and Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa located between Austin and Bastrop, Texas. Individual properties will offer unique, destination-specific music collections, making Hyatt’s program truly a first in the industry. Each property’s signature collections will be available online for users to download in a universally compatible MP3 format – the most widely utilized digital music format – so guests can bring their Hyatt experience home. Hyatt plans to roll out the new digital download program to its properties across North America and the Caribbean throughout 2007.

“While many hotels feature music in public spaces, Hyatt sought to design collections that truly bring out the indigenous personality of each property and, in conjunction with our partners Audiosuite, make these collections available for guests to enjoy even when their Hyatt stay is over.”

Both Hyatt’s Scottsdale and Lost Pines resorts now feature music on property that celebrates the respective destination as well as showcases international and local artists. The tone, style and pace of the music adjusts throughout each day to capture the essence of the environment and guest experience, such as the tranquility of a relaxing morning massage at Scottsdale’s Spa Avania or the energy and vitality of an evening at Lost Pine’s Shellers Barrelhouse Bar.

“Music evokes different emotions in different people at different times – music can make you feel good, motivate you, help you relax – in short, we want Hyatt’s music to be very purposefully woven into the overall guest experience,” said Mark Barrott, founder of Music Styling and one of Hyatt’s music stylists. “While many hotels feature music in public spaces, Hyatt sought to design collections that truly bring out the indigenous personality of each property and, in conjunction with our partners Audiosuite, make these collections available for guests to enjoy even when their Hyatt stay is over.”

Playlists at both Hyatt properties were cultivated from a vast catalog of the world’s most unique and talented artists, and were assembled by local property representatives and music experts as well as a team of internationally-based stylists from Music Styling headed by Mark Barrott. Originally starting out as a performer and DJ, Barrott has completed five albums, provided music for the MTV Video Music Awards, the VH1 Worldwide Fashion Awards, composed music for many films and leading brand advertisements, as well as remixing famous artists like Tom Jones.

Hyatt music collection gift cards can be purchased on property or at the property Web site www.scottsdale.hyatt.com and www.lostpines.hyatt.com. Additionally, any Web site visitor can listen to the tracks, purchase full collections via credit card, or purchase gift certificates for the collections. Tracks are not sold individually. The MP3 format allows consumers to play the tracks on any device, burn CDs and make as many copies as they like for personal use.

Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch

Beginning March 26, 2007, Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch will feature five music collections throughout the property that celebrate Arizona’s contemporary artistry, its peaceful desert atmosphere and its vibrant nightlife. These playlists include:

Vu Collection: This vibrant, sexy, sophisticated restaurant explodes with energy and its music collection features music from around the world – Bossa from Brazil via Bebel Gilberto; soothing sounds from Europe from artists such as Future Loop Foundation and Koop.
Lobby Collection: The grand lobby space is the resort's center of entertainment, offering uninterrupted views of the spectacular McDowell Mountains (through moveable glass walls). A colorful, yet subdued color palette promotes excitement with its use of tones inspired by the natural desert landscape. The music collection includes sounds of Ive Mendes, Jazzanova, American maestro’s Thievery Corporation and many others.
Spa Sunrise Collection: This playlist was designed to awaken body and soul for the day to come. Featured artists include Bombay Dub Orchestra, Sonic Adventure project and Chinmaya Dunster
Spa Sun At Noon Collection: Created to complement the peak of each day, this collection features artists such as Fridrick Karlsson from Iceland and Deuter.
Spa Sunset Collection: Designed to evoke a sense of relaxation after a long, active day, this playlist features Dean Evenson, Steven Halpern and others.

Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa

Situated along the Colorado River in between historic Bastrop and Austin, Texas – the “Live Music Capital of the World” – Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa features established and emerging local artists performing all genres of Texas music. From blues and swing to jazz and traditional country, the resort’s collections feature artists such as: Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Lyle Lovett, Lucinda Williams, Marcia Ball, Carolyn Wonderland, South Austin Jug Band, Toni Price, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Freddie King and many more.

Playlists available for purchase include:

Lost Pines Texas USA Collection (Lobby): This collection features an eclectic mix of Central Texas artists: Johnny Gimble, W.C. Clark, Seth Walker, Shelley King, Uncle Walt’s Band and The Band of Heathens.
Shellers Barrelhouse Blues Collection (Shellers Barrelhouse Bar): True to its namesake, this playlist features blues music with heavy concentration on piano and guitar. Artists include: Marcia Ball, Brian Keane, Ed Jurdi and Angela Strehli.
Wolfdancer Swing Tunes Collection (Wolfdancer Golf Club): Featuring traditional Texas musicians playing in their uniquely western swing style, this collection includes The Greencards, Asleep at the Wheel, Hot Club Of Cowtown, The Tea Merchants and Johnny Gimble.
Spa Django Gypsy Jazz (Spa Django): This unexpectedly upbeat music collection features music inspired by the famed musician Django Reinhardt. Artists are Django’s Moustache, Rumbullion, Tres Jim Stringer and Traci Lamar.

New iHome™ Clock Radios

To further enhance its music offering, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts is rolling out new guestroom iHome™ clock radios in its U.S., Canada and Caribbean properties. The new in-room stereos features an iPod® docking station; high-fidelity speakers that deliver astounding clarity, depth, and power; seven time zone settings and an alarm reset feature so the clock automatically resets the alarm for the same time the next day. Whether traveling for business or pleasure, guests can now kick back, relax and enjoy their personal digital music library in the comfort of their Hyatt hotel room. The iHome clock radios are also available for purchase at www.hyattathome.com.

About Global Hyatt Corporation

Global Hyatt Corporation, one of the world’s premier hotel companies, offers today’s travelers over 735 hotels and resorts (over 136,000 rooms) in more than 44 countries. The company’s affiliates own, operate, manage and franchise Hyatt branded hotels and resorts under the Park Hyatt®, Grand Hyatt®, Hyatt Regency®, Hyatt Resorts®, Hyatt®, Hyatt Place™ and Hyatt Summerfield Suites® brands. Global Hyatt Corporation is also the owner of Hyatt Vacation Ownership, Inc. operator of the Hyatt Vacation Club and fractional residential properties and U.S. Franchise Systems, Inc., which franchises Hawthorn Suites and Microtel Inns and Suites.

From the U.S. and Canada, reservations for any Hyatt hotel worldwide may be obtained by calling 1-800-233-1234 or logging onto www.hyatt.com.

About Music Styling

Music Styling is regarded as the leading provider of bespoke music consultancy and programming to the luxury hotel industry worldwide and serve a wide range of clients including over 80 Hyatt properties (including all Park Hyatt’s worldwide), all W Hotels, St Regis and many others.

About Audiosuite

Audiosuite provides cutting edge music solutions for the Hotel industry. Formed by some of the leaders in Hotel music consultancy, digital music distribution, online retailing, and music publishing, Audiosuite has developed innovative soft and hardware products that will revolutionize the customer's relationship experience of music within the Hotel industry.