CHICAGO – March 03, 2010 – Thanks to a new strategic partnership with boutique hotel company Mantis Group, Preferred Hotel Group™ has become the largest international hotel brand in South Africa, bringing the total number of members on the continent to 30. These latest 14 additions to the Preferred family range from luxury properties in bustling Cape Town, to unique game reserves in Port Elizabeth and the Kruger National Park – as well as the renowned Draycott Hotel in London.

Each of the new members reflect the Mantis Group’s approach to developing a collection of some of the world’s finest resorts, each selected for their own unique location and recognition of the importance of wildlife, culture, beauty and individuality.

"It has always been one of our ambitions to increase Mantis’ global presence worldwide.　Partnering with such an esteemed organization such as Preferred Hotel Group adds immense value to Mantis," said Adrian Gardiner, Chairman, The Mantis Collection. "This partnership provides our world leading destinations with a competitive advantage and global critical mass and, in return, I believe that we add enriching and rewarding experiences to the Preferred Hotel Group portfolio. We look forward to establishing a prosperous footprint for both brands within Africa and internationally." Founded in 2000, properties within the Mantis portfolio have won many accolades and honours including The World Travel Awards for the Leading Conservation Company and Leading Safari and Game Reserve, British Airways Tourism for Tomorrow, The Terra Nova Award, Harpers and Queen 100 Best Places to visit and other 25 local and international awards.

"Through this new and mutually beneficial partnership with Mantis Group, Preferred Hotel Group reaffirms our commitment to expanding its infrastructure and presence in Africa," said Jose Ventura, Regional Director – Africa, Preferred Hotel Group. "With the spotlight currently on South Africa, in light of the World Cup, our growing collection of properties provides travellers a variety of "wish list" holiday experiences for now and in the future. To this end, we will continue with an aggressive development plan for key business and leisure locations throughout the continent."

These new additions join three other new members in South Africa including Cape Royale Luxury Hotel and Residences, Cape Town, and the Devon Valley Hotel and Erinvale Golf Estate – Hotel & Spa both in the Stellenbosch Region.

About Preferred Hotel Group™

Celebrating 42 years of excellence, Preferred Hotel Group™ is a leading global provider of high-performance sales, marketing and technology support to individually owned and operated hotels and resorts, with over 700 members in over 75 countries. Established in 1968, Preferred Hotel Group today comprises of five distinct brands – Preferred Hotels® & Resorts (www.PreferredHotels.com), Preferred Boutique™ (www.PreferredBoutique.com), Summit Hotels & Resorts™(www.SummitHotels.com), Sterling Hotels™ (www.SterlingHotels.com) and Historic Hotels of Americas® (www.HistoricHotels.org); the fastest-growing guest benefits program in the world, I Prefer™ (www.iprefer.com); and a membership program with entrée to the world’s most spectacular luxury golf resorts, Preferred Golf Club™ (www.preferredgolf.com). For more information, visit www.PreferredHotelGroup.com.

In Fall 2007, the company entered the luxury real estate market with the launch of Preferred Residences™ – a membership and exchange program for luxury shared ownership resorts that provide an exceptional level of service and amenities. Properties are held to exacting standards derived from the same Preferred Global Standards of Excellence™ on which the company has built its 41-year heritage in the hospitality industry. For more information, please visit www.PreferredResidences.com.

About Mantis Group

The Mantis Group comprises of a vast selection of exclusive boutique hotels, five star game reserves, an award winning vineyard and luxury yachts. The portfolio includes the multi award winning Shamwari Game Reserve near Port Elizabeth, Shamwari Townhouse in Port Elizabeth, Oceana Beach and Wilderness Reserve near Port Alfred, Lake Pleasant Living near Knysna, Views Boutique Hotel and Spa retreat in Wilderness, Sanbona Wildlife Reserve on Route 62, Jock Safari Lodge in the Kruger National Park, Nkomazi Game Reserve on the Komati River, and the Last Word Retreats in Cape Town made up of The Constantia, The Long Beach, The Bishops Court, The Franschhoek, and the Princess Emma, a luxury powered yacht, docked at the V & A Waterfront in Cape Town. The Grande Roche Hotel and Restaurant in Paarl adds to the portfolio on South Africa’s famous wine route.

Further afield in Africa, two properties in Rwanda will open later in 2010 and include Gorilla’s Nest Lodge on the boundary of the Volcanoes National Park and the new Nyungwe Forest Lodge situated on the edges of Nyungwe Equatorial Rain Forest.

The Draycott Hotel and the Lord Milner in London, Cap Estel on the French Riviera, Stenden University Hotel in the Netherlands, Alladale Wilderness Reserve in the Scottish Highlands and The World, the world’s largest private yacht, The Merchant hotel in Belfast and White Desert- the world’s most southerly safari experience in Antarctica– all form part of the Mantis Groups International portfolio.