LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort

NAPLES, Fla. " Dec. 01 2008 " Named as the three-year Turtle Awareness Partner with the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort announces the launch of GROUPS GO GREEN as a way to protect one of Floridas most adored reptiles through support of the Conservancy Sea Turtle Monitoring and Protection Program. Upon booking a group at the upscale Naples resort, planners can receive a five percent credit to the master account, of which the full amount or a portion can be donated to the Conservancy for rebuilding a turtle tank used for rehabilitating sea turtles and releasing them back into their natural environment.

From May to October, approximately 50,000 sea turtles in Florida come ashore and deposit 70 to 180 eggs, of which only about one in 1,000 hatchlings survive to maturity. Many fall victim to artificial lighting from beachfront resorts, which attracts hatchlings to crawl away from the ocean. The Conservancy of Southwest Florida patrols beaches, marks nests, counts hatched eggs and educates the community about important conservation measures that will give sea turtle hatchlings the support they need to survive.

As the sea turtle tank at the Conservancy is in need of major repairs from years of housing juvenile loggerhead sea turtles, LaPlaya is offering this package as a way for groups to give back and donate to the rebuilding of the tank, which is a significant part of rescue mission efforts for the threatened loggerhead sea turtles.

A dedication plaque is being placed in front of a glistening fountain on-property in an area deemed Lantern Lane. Entitled Wishing Turtles Well, this plaque serves as recognition of LaPlayas partnership with The Conservancy of Southwest Florida and both parties devotion to rescuing endangered sea turtles. All change tossed into the fountain is also being donated to the Conservancy.

This program further demonstrates LaPlayas desire to set the gold standard for sea turtle protection issues, said Rob Moher, vice president of marketing & development for the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. Through this great partnership, groups receive a wide array of first-class amenities at LaPlaya while having the opportunity to help the environment.

From 16,000 square feet of lavish indoor and outdoor meeting space featuring breathtaking views, groups who book the GROUPS GO GREEN package can also arrange team-building eco-excursions at the Conservancy through the resort concierge.

For more information on the GROUPS GO GREEN package at LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort, call (800) 237-6883 or visit www.laplayaresort.com.

*Based upon availability. Valid until December 31, 2009. Group rates start at $119/night.

About the Conservancy of Southwest Florida
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is a non-profit conservation organization focused on protecting environmentally sensitive lands, addressing water resource and quality issues, educating the public and protecting and rehabilitating native wildlife.

About LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort
LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort offers guests a luxury experience with the simplicity of unpretentious splendor and purity of unspoiled beaches. Awarded Most Excellent Resort for 2008 in the United States and Canada by Conde Nast Johansens and capturing a spot on the Great Hotels ranking of Travel + Leisure, the stylishly simple escape also features a sweeping soft white beach with private Beach Butlers, crisp white cabanas along a cascading falls pool, exotic SpaTerre and stunning sunsets.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Ashley Miracle, Tel: (850) 668-2222
E-mail: amiracle@zimmerman.com
Jordan Wilson, (850) 668-2222
E-mail: jwilson@zimmerman.com

NAPLES, Fla. " LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort received the Most Excellent Resort distinction in the United States and Canada from Conde Nast Johansens 2008 Awards for Excellence, which selected premier properties throughout the United States, Mexico, Central and South America and the Atlantic, Caribbean and Pacific Islands. Through luxurious beachfront accommodations overlooking the Gulf of Mexico and exotic SpaTerre, to chic BALEENnaples and Bob Cupp designed LaPlaya Golf Course, the upscale Naples resort was nominated by inspectors, readers and hotel guests from more than 326 properties in the category of Most Excellent Resort.

This award demonstrates that the resort continues to exceed guests expectations through world-class service and amenities, said Ron Vuy, general manager of LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort. Wed sincerely like to thank our dedicated patrons for their support and loyalty throughout the years.

The Awards for Excellence winners were selected in 25 categories, including Most Excellent Hotel, Most Excellent Resort and Most Excellent Spa Hotel.Each property undergoes a rigorous annual inspection process to ensure exceptional quality is maintained every year.

With 326 of the worlds finest properties in the 2008 Recommended Hotels, Inns, Resorts & Spas " The Americas, Atlantic, Caribbean, & Pacific, and our expanded coverageof Canada and Central and South America, the categories were very competitive, said Lesley OMalley-Keyes, VP & Publishing Director, The Americas. Cond Nast Johansens recommends only properties that meet our exact standards, so the Excellence Awards winners represent the very best of the best. Our readers are discerning, savvy travelers who enjoy excellent accommodations and personal attention.

LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort offers guests a luxury experience with the simplicity of unpretentious splendor and purity of unspoiled beaches. Capturing a spot on the coveted Cond Nast Traveler Gold List, the stylishly simple escape also features a sweeping soft white beach with private Beach Butlers, crisp white cabanas along a cascading falls pool, exotic SpaTerre and stunning sunsets.

For more information on LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort, call (800) 237-6883 or visit www.laplayaresort.com.

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Carol Baetzel
Corporate Director of Public Relations
Noble House Hotels & Resorts
Mobile: (602) 931-5422
Email: cbaetzel@noblehousehotels.com