Millennium Hotels And Resorts Celebrates Ask Alfred's First Birthday And Expands Award-Winning Children's Program

NEW YORK, June 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- More than ever, kids are taking a larger role in planning family vacations, and Millennium Hotels and Resorts North America fuels these young guests' wanderlust wishes with the award-winning Ask Alfred children's program. Since its launch on July 10 - National Teddy Bear Picnic Day - last year, the program's star namesake Alfred the bear has brought smiles to youngsters' faces across the country.  From July 10 through September 30, 2015, Ask Alfred's first birthday will be celebrated at each of the brand's 14 hotels with a complimentary kids' breakfast menu and "I HEART Alfred" coloring contest featuring the chance to win a two-night hotel stay for the entire family, airfare included.

Alfred the bear is part of a $15 custom-designed child's amenity kit in partnership with leading toy company Melissa & Doug^® and organic candy maker Surf Sweets^®.  Families staying at any of the hotels can surprise little ones with an exclusive cinch bag featuring a cuddly Alfred Teddy Bear, Surf Sweets^® Gummy Bears, a crayon activity set by Melissa & Doug^®, Alfred's Lovable Stickables and a dozen collectible Color Me postcards.

This summer, Millennium Hotels continues its commitment to The Dream Factory, the second largest wish-granting organization in the United States, which grants the dreams of critically and chronically ill children.  Millennium will donate $2 from each amenity sold, with the mission to match all proceeds to the organization at summer's end. This pledge follows a $5,000 donation to The Dream Factory earlier this year.

For young guests aged 12 and under, Millennium's complimentary breakfast menu offers a selection of favorites including Scrambled Eggs and French Toast with Maple Syrup. While dining, kids are invited to decorate their placemat depicting Alfred celebrating his first birthday and are also encouraged to continue their role as "vacation planner" by drawing their favorite summer activity. Families can submit the completed drawing to the hotel for a chance to win a return stay to Millennium in 2016.

Guests can take advantage of Ask Alfred by adding it on to the Summer FREEdom package, available through September 7, with 15 percent off accommodations, up to $50 food and beverage credit, and complimentary Internet.

No purchase necessary for contest. Runs from July 10 through 12:00 PM ET September 30. Winners will be selected via a random drawing, taking place at or about 2:00 PM Eastern Time October 30, 2015 from all eligible entries received.  Limit one prize per person.  Winners will be notified by phone and/or email. 

About Millennium Hotels and Resorts North America:

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc (M&C), listed on the London Stock Exchange since 1996, is a dynamic, global hotel company, which owns, asset manages and/or operates a worldwide portfolio of over 100 hotels across seven distinct global brands – Grand Millennium, Millennium, Grand Copthorne, Copthorne, M Hotel, Studio M and Kingsgate – throughout Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East, and North America.

Millennium Hotels and Resorts (MHR) was established as a global brand by Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc to provide a common marketing and operating platform across its entire portfolio.  Founded on the philosophy of genuine hospitality, this dynamic hospitality group has an outstanding reputation for excellence, taking pride in exceeding the needs of its business and leisure travelers.  The strategic locality of its properties in gateway cities such as London, Paris, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Singapore, Beijing, Shanghai, Seoul, Taipei, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, and Bangkok makes MHR the perfect address to conduct your business or indulge yourself while on holiday.

Established in the United States in 2000, the North American arm of MHR includes a portfolio 14 hotels in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Anchorage, Boulder, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Durham, Minneapolis, Nashville and Scottsdale.  www.millenniumhotels.com

About Melissa & Doug^®

Melissa and Doug started their toy company 26 years ago, in the garage of the home where Doug grew up. Since then, the company has become one of the most trusted names in children's products, and Melissa & Doug, LLC, has created over 2,000 toys, games, and activities spanning virtually every category of children's play.  Its products are available through a unique distribution network of specialty retailers in 80 countries worldwide.  Melissa and Doug's mission has remained the same through the years: to offer products with tremendous value, quality and design, and to make each and every customer a happy and permanent member of the Melissa & Doug family.  www.melissaanddoug.com

About Surf Sweets^®

Surf Sweets is the country's leading brand of organically sweetened gummy candy and jellybeans. Offering all the delicious fruit flavor you expect from a sweet treat, without the yucky ingredients you try to avoid, Surf Sweets are free of artificial colors and flavors and the top 10 allergens Most of the products are Non-GMO Project verified and certified USDA organic. Vegan options are also available.  Surf Sweets offers a variety of candies: Gummy Bears, Gummy Worms, Fruity Bears, Sour Berry Bears, Sour Worms, Fruity Hearts, Watermelon and Peach Rings, Jelly Beans and Organic Trick or Treat Packs that are available across North America. Products are made and packaged in the United States in a facility free of the 10 most common food allergens.  Surf Sweets is also a proud member of 1% for the Planet, donating a minimum of 1% of the sales from products to a number of environmental organizations.  www.surfsweets.com

About The Dream Factory

The Dream Factory (a 501(c)(3) organization) is a volunteer-based, not-for-profit organization devoted to granting the dreams of critically and chronically ill children aged 3 through 18.  The Dream Factory operates 34 chapters with more than 5,000 volunteers.  Founded in 1980 in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, the organization does not limit its mission to children who have life-threatening illness.  The organization believes that children with chronic illnesses also suffer from substantial emotional and physical pain.  The Dream Factory has grown to become the largest all volunteer wish-granting organization to grant dreams to critically and chronically ill children in the United States, and is the second-largest national children's wish-granting organization. Relying on the generous support of individuals, corporations, and foundations, the organization accomplishes its mission through cash and in-kind donations along with the help of thousands of volunteers.  Ninety percent of all money raised by The Dream Factory is used to grant dreams.  This record of success has been recognized by Charity Navigator as a four-star charity, its highest rating.  Charity Navigator is the largest and most utilized evaluator of charities.  www.dreamfactoryinc.org 

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SOURCE Millennium Hotels and Resorts

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