HOTEL REWARDS VOLUNTOURISTS WITH SPECIAL RATES

Quaint, Charming Hotel Provincial Opens
Refurbished Doors to Volunteers at $79

NEW ORLEANS, May 3, 2006 – In response to the deluge of calls from “voluntourist” individuals and groups eager to help the Crescent City, Hotel Provincial – a historic, family owned and antique-accented boutique hotel in a lovely residential section of the French Quarter – is offering a special rate of $79 per night to volunteers building the new New Orleans.* Having completed more than $3 million in post-Katrina renovations, Hotel Provincial, with its circa 19 th century buildings embracing a series of inviting courtyards and two celebrated restaurants, offers an ideal base for “voluntourists” working on the rebuilding by day and going out on the town at night – and between hip-swaying music, bustling bars, breathtaking architecture and sublime food, the French Quarter still lives and breathes feel-good-fun. The discounted rate is available to anyone providing proof of their volunteer service.

According to proprietor, Bryan Dupepe Jr., a sixth generation New Orleans native, “We've been overwhelmed by the generosity of friends and families organizing volunteer groups to help the city. So we decided to thank them for their much needed efforts by offering the discounted $79 rate. It is the least we can do for people coming from all over the country to help our city in its time of need.”

The hotel is ready for an influx of volunteers after having undergone more than $3 million in post-Katrina renovations. Dupepe asserts that, “extensive measures were taken to make sure repairs that needed to be done were done – including replacing most of the sheetrock! After six months of refurbishments, the hotel is like new, yet still retains its old world charm.” All of the soft goods were replaced, from curtains to carpets, and the hotel was repainted throughout. The courtyards damaged by the hurricane have been re-landscaped, and one of the two swimming pools on the property has been completely resurfaced. Of the hotel's two on-site restaurants, owned and operated by highly acclaimed, chef Scott Boswell, one was recharged and the other has just been introduced. The award winning Stella!, offering globally infused dinner fare, just completed a $1 million renovation, and Stanley , a casual boite for world class breakfast and lunch options, was the first new restaurant to open after Katrina. Yet the biggest draw of the hotel is the prime location in the heart of the French Quarter just blocks from Bourbon Street and the French Market!

*For groups booking 20 rooms or more, Hotel Provincial will provide one complimentary room per night.

There are numerous volunteer opportunities for all ages and skill sets in New Orleans – from demolishing houses to serving food at soup kitchens. Emergency Communities is currently offering summer projects and volunteer opportunities for both skilled and general volunteers. For more information please visit www.emergencycommunities.org or contact Katherine Pangaro at (347) 351-9559.

Other organizations offering volunteer opportunities include Habitat for Humanity (www.habitat-nola.org), Impact Ministries (www.citiimpact.org), and the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans (www.jewishnola.com). For additional volunteer opportunities, visit www.volunteermatch.org.

Originally developed and opened by the Dupepe family in 1961, Hotel Provincial combines the grace and charm of old world elegance with the modern conveniences of today and is located in the heart of the French Quarter just blocks from Bourbon Street . It features 115 spacious guestrooms and suites set in 19 th century buildings that have been treated to award winning restoration. They surround several fountain punctuated courtyards and two refreshing swimming pools, and house restaurants Stella!, a fine dining establishment open for dinner and Stanley, offering a casual ambience for world class breakfast lunch and brunch offerings. For more information, or to make reservations online, please visit www.hotelprovincial.com or call (800) 535-7922.

# # #

________________________________________________________________________