TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 09/08/08 -- Fairmont Hotels & Resorts are at the heart of their communities, and have a long history of engagement with local organizations. Understanding that many guests share the company's commitment to community and planet, Fairmont offers hands-on experiences and opportunities to make an impact while on vacation.

Lend a Hand:

With the increasing interest in "voluntourism", The Fairmont Winnipeg and Habitat for Humanity(R) have teamed up to offer hotel guests a chance to volunteer during their next getaway, and assist in building homes for families in need of decent shelter. Starting from $219 a night, the hotel's Home Sweet Home package includes overnight accommodation, daily breakfast, transportation to and from the homebuilding site, and a soothing amenity kit including band-aids, hand cream, and access to the steam room after the day's work is done. The Fairmont Winnipeg will donate $25 to Habitat for Humanity for each package booked and also plans to invite back all participants to a Dedication Ceremony, when the family receives the keys to their new home. Not a do-it-yourselfer? Guests can still make an impact by simply reserving the package without participating in the construction.

Guests at The Fairmont Southampton in Bermuda can leave their mark by assisting the hotel in its efforts to propagate the Bermuda Cedar, a replanting initiative underway on the hotel grounds and golf course.
Newlyweds can commemorate their vows by planting a native Bermuda Cedar seedling on-site as a symbol of eternal devotion and return years later to witness the cedar's growth as their bond continues.

The resort's Explorers Camp also offers kids a chance to plant a seed at the nursery. This hands-on initiative teaches children about the global need to plant trees as well as the specific story of the loss and recovery of the cedar trees in Bermuda, while providing the hotel with the necessary nursery stock to continue planting on hotel grounds.

Creature Conservation:

At Mexico's The Fairmont Acapulco Princess, The Fairmont Pierre Marques and Fairmont Mayakoba, guests are taught about the turtle life cycle and can even assist in the release of young turtles to the ocean. Under the supervision of a professional ecologist, eggs are collected and protected in a special farm located on the hotel grounds. Interested guests are shown the nests, educated about the turtle life cycle, and then can choose to help return young turtles to the ocean. Children who participate are given an adoption certificate displaying the name they've chosen for their turtle. Since 2002, more than 170,000 marine turtle have been released into the ocean through this program.

Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu, located within a World Biosphere Reserve, has partnered with the Research and Educational Group on Marine Mammals to facilitate research into the endangered beluga. The hotel offers an interpretive program for adults and children, and a special Beluga package including a river excursion to observe the whales.

The Fairmont Algonquin in St. Andrews, New Brunswick has adopted a Right Whale, to promote protection of this incredibly endangered species, of which only 300 remain. Guests can visit a display in the hotel that highlights whale migration patterns, conservation and de-tangling programs, as well as proper whale watching etiquette.
They can even adopt their own Right Whale.

The Fairmont Palliser has partnered with the Calgary Zoo to support conservation and research of the endangered burrowing owl species.
This new initiative for the zoo provides a unique experience for hotel guests through education and zoo visitation. The hotel has also adopted a pair of swift foxes that have been taken under the zoos breeding program.

Walk This Way:

With hotels in some of the world's most striking destinations, Fairmont properties often have ample grounds for exploring, and hotels are committed to helping preserve these natural areas, while also educating guests.

At Scotland's Fairmont St Andrews guests can grab a guide map and set out on the Coastal Path, a stunning trail offering 41 miles of dynamic topography along one of the Scotland's most breathtaking coastlines. Fairmont St Andrews works in association with the Fife Coastal Path Trust, which helps to preserve the coastline for all to enjoy.

Fairmont Scottsdale offers treks on the Sonoran Trail, an eco-tour of the resort's expansive grounds that showcases numerous trees, plants and many of the birds and other desert creatures that call the resort home. The Sonoran Trail, created by the hotel's "Green Team" colleagues, is offered as a self-guided exploration or as a 45-minute guided walking tour led by one of the resort's landscaping experts, and features a colorful brochure with detailed map and photographs to help guests along the route of 16 stops.

The Sonoma Overlook Trail Improvement Plan at The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, in partnership with The Sonoma Ecology Center, aims to protect the trail and wildlife while educating hikers with interpretive signage throughout a two-mile loop.

Many hotels also offer packages that have a donation component, allowing guests to directly contribute to local organizations. These
include:

- The Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Seattle invites guests to experience Puget Sound on a guided kayaking excursion while learning first-hand about local waterways and sustainability in the region. Included in the Lakes to Locks package is a 'Go Zero' certificate from The Conservation Fund, offsetting carbon emissions from the entire package. For every package booked, The Fairmont Olympic Hotel will match the 'Go Zero' certificates, donating money to plant trees in the Pacific Northwest. Rates start at $550 a night for two people.

- The Fairmont Washington, D.C.'s Panda Package offers fun for all ages with accommodation and a Zoo Welcome Kit, including disposable camera, zoo activity book, coupons, stuffed panda, and access to the Panda Exhibit at The Washington Zoo. The hotel will make a $10 donation to the Giant Panda Conservation Fund for each night booked. Rates from $199 per night, year-round.

- Birdwatchers can check out the Blue Hills Adventure package at The Fairmont Copley Plaza, Boston. Made famous by Harry Potter's Hedwig, the snowy owl is the commonwealth's largest owl, and the hotel supports research through the Snowy Owl Telemetry Project at the Blue Hills Trailside Museum. Package includes overnight accommodation, Birds of Massachusetts Field Guide, two tickets to the Blue Hills Trailside Museum and a donation to the Snowy Owl Telemetry Project. Available through December 30, 2008, rates start from $279 per night.

- At The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, guests can Leave No Footprints in this pristine environment. In addition to charming accommodations, enjoy a guided hike or snowshoe with a Mountain Heritage Guide, a welcome amenity that highlights local, seasonal ingredients, and complimentary valet parking for Hybrid and low emission vehicles. For each stay, a donation will be made to Zero Footprint (a target="_blank"href="http://www.zerofootprint.net">www.zerofootprint.net) to offset the guests' carbon footprint. Available through December 15, 2008, rates start from $279 per night.

- Spa goers can do some good with a visit to Willow Stream and other Fairmont spas worldwide. At the Fairmont St Andrews in Scotland, the resort's spa presents the Generosity Massage, a customized aromatherapy treatment with 10% of the proceeds going to support The Fife Coast and Countryside Trust in their efforts to conserve, preserve, maintain and care for the local coastal paths. Also available at the Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont Singapore and the Willow Stream Spa At Fairmont Le Montreux Palace, donations from the Generosity Massage also benefit the Singapore National Parks Board and the World Wildlife Fund respectively.

Please visit www.fairmont.com/promo/green2008 for more information on packages that offer stylish and sustainable ways to experience a destination. All packages unless noted otherwise are subject to availability, priced per room, per night, exclude taxes and are based on double occupancy. Prices quoted are in local currency. For reservations, please visit www.fairmont.com, call
1-800-441-1414 or contact your local travel professional.

A leader in the global hospitality industry, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is an extraordinary collection of luxury hotels, which includes iconic landmarks like the Fairmont Singapore, Fairmont Le Montreux Palace in Switzerland and New York's The Plaza. Fairmont hotels are one-of-a-kind properties where sophisticated travelers can discover culturally rich experiences that are authentic to the destination. Situated in some of the most exclusive and pristine areas in the world, Fairmont is committed to responsible tourism and is an industry leader in sustainable hotel management with its award-winning Green Partnership program. Fairmont's portfolio includes 56 distinctive hotels, with plans to develop over 20 new properties in the coming years in destinations as diverse as Shanghai, Abu Dhabi and Anguilla.

Fairmont is owned by Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, a leading global hotel company with 90 hotels worldwide under the Raffles, Fairmont and Swissotel brands. The company also owns Fairmont and Raffles branded Residences, Estates and luxury private residence club properties. For more information or reservations, please call 1-800-441-1414 or visit www.fairmont.com.

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

Featuring a collection of fabled castles, secluded lodges, storied meeting places and modern retreats, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts opens the doors to some of the world's most celebrated addresses. With locations throughout ten countries, our 51 distinctive hotels - including The Fairmont San Francisco, The Fairmont Banff Springs and London's Savoy - promise travelers rich experiences and lasting memories in unparalleled settings. Committed to growing its portfolio of world-class hotels, Fairmont will soon reflag five hotels in Kenya and anticipates the 2007 re-opening of New York's famed Plaza Hotel. Future Fairmont Hotels & Resorts also include locations in Cairo, Turks & Caicos, Abu Dhabi and Dubai's Palm Island. Fairmont Raffles Holdings International owns and operates 120 hotels worldwide under the Fairmont, Raffles, Swissé´tel and Delta brands. For more information or reservations, please call 1-800-441-1414 or visit www.fairmont.com.

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