Prestigious boutique hotel expands Utell’s Spanish portfolio of more than 200 properties

SCOTTSDALE, DALLAS and LONDON (May 12, 2010) – The Hotel Selenza Madrid has upgraded international representation to Utell Hotels & Resorts to take advantage of the company’s proven global hotel sales, marketing and distribution services. The recently opened Selenza Madrid broadens Utell’s growing international portfolio of nearly 9,000 hotels worldwide with more than 200 in Spain.

Located in the most cosmopolitan and elegant area of the Spanish capital, the 44-room Selenza Madrid is surrounded by exclusive shops and is situated near the art triangle comprising  the world-renowned Prado, Thyssen and Reina Sofía museums. It features well equipped meeting rooms, a distinguished concierge service and the elite Ramon Freixa Madrid restaurant, which received its first Michelin star only six months after opening in 2009. Each room offers free Wi-Fi, MP3 connection, DVD players and flat-screen LCD televisions with satellite service. All of these amenities in such a desirable market make adding Selenza Madrid as a member hotel a perfect fit, said Ric Leutwyler, president of Utell.

“Spain continues to be a popular international destination for business and leisure travel, which is why extending the Utell portfolio with a distinctive property like Selenza Madrid is so important,” Leutwyler said. “This desirable addition increases our European footprint and exemplifies the best that Utell has to offer to our customers.”

As a member of Utell, Selenza Madrid will benefit from Utell’s extensive business-generating relationships with the travel industry globally, especially the proven Utell preferred agreements with major TMCs (travel management companies), online distributors, corporations and consortia groups. Additionally, Selenza Madrid reaps the rewards of accessing a comprehensive range of powerful business intelligence solutions, award-winning Web services products, market-leading reservations and booking technology services, all powered by Pegasus Solutions and provided to Utell members. Utilizing Utell’s proven marketing strategies is key to bringing attention – and business – to the Selenza Madrid, said Luisa Rodríguez, manager of Selenza Madrid and new business manager for Selenza Hoteles.

“Selenza Madrid has been recognized in our market for exquisite dining and a first-class guest experience,” said Rodríguez. “Joining Utell allows us to bring that local recognition to a global booking audience through the best sales and marketing channels and strategies available to hotels today.”

The Selenza Madrid is now available on the global distribution systems (GDSs) under Utell’s chain code, UI, and at the dedicated travel agent Web site www.UtellAgent.com.

About Selenza Madrid

The five-star Hotel Selenza Madrid resides in a 19th Century refurbished building endowed with the innovation and amenities required to make it one of the best hotels in Madrid. The 44-room boutique hotel is located in the cosmopolitan district of Salamanca, surrounded by exclusive shops, and near the art triangle comprised of the Prado, Thyssen and Reina Sofía museums. The hotel features the gourmet restaurant Ramón Freixa Madrid, which earned its first Michelin star only six months after opening in 2009. The hotels offers a wide range of services, including: late checkout and breakfast served on weekends until 1 p.m., free WiFi access, concierge service, a private garage with valet parking and free national and international press.