Guests at the exclusive Keating hotel in San Diego now have an opportunity to get their doggy fix with the launch of the first Flexpetz Canine Hotel AmbassadorTM program. The hotel's newest guest ambassador, a gorgeous black Afghan hound named Rupert, meets and greets guests upon arrival and along with his knowledgeable Flexpetz handler, acts as a formidable city tour guide. Rupert is available to accompany guests on walks throughout San Diego's historic Gaslamp Quarter, on shopping trips to the outdoor malls or just spending time with guests in the hotel. Quickly becoming a local celebrity, Rupert even has his own business cards and hotel e-mail address.
"For pet-deprived hotel guests unable to travel with their own dogs or wanting to feel more at home when they travel, the Flexpetz Canine Hotel Ambassador program aims to provide that sense of familiarity and comfort," says Marlena Cervantes, founder and CEO of Flexpetz, and developer of the company's ground-breaking shared dog ownership program. "The immediate success of the Flexpetz Canine Hotel Ambassador program makes it the next growth division for the company."
The ultimate in luxury accommodations, The Keating is the only hotel in the world designed by the Italian design powerhouse Pininfarina, world-renowned for their sophisticated design of automotive zeniths Ferrari and Maserati. Pininfarina has lent its signature pure, clean, ergonomic design elements to the historic building which houses the intimate 35-room Keating Hotel, located in the heart of San Diego's historic Gaslamp Quarter. The property's luxury accommodations are further punctuated by innovative partnerships with such high profile names as Jacuzzi, Dornbracht, Bang & Olufsen and LaVazza. The new Flexpetz program further exemplifies the cutting-edge nature of the hotel.
"Rupert is a very welcome addition," says Edward Kaen, owner and president of The Keating. "The entire property offers an experience that quite literally cannot be found anywhere else, and so it was a natural fit to launch this one of a kind program here. Guests are taking to the idea of being greeted by a dog and like this highly unusual but welcoming ambassador."
Flexpetz manages all logistics of the Canine Hotel Ambassador program, including hiring experienced, personable handlers as well as locating and training dogs that fit with the atmosphere of the property. The program is especially attractive to hotel operators looking to differentiate themselves from their competitors and is free and exclusive to hotel guests. Flexpetz is already planning the expansion of the Flexpetz Canine Ambassador Program into other hotel markets in early 2008.
About The Keating Hotel Group:
Since defining a new standard for premier-branded, high-end lifestyle/boutique hotels worldwide with the completion of the first Keating Hotel in San Diego, The Keating Hotel Group (TKHG) has been formed by real estate entrepreneur business partners, Edward Kaen and Chad Harris to introduce, develop and operate an expansion of the exclusive Pininfarina-designed Keating Hotels in premier venues across the United States and Europe. Partnered in an exclusive relationship with Italian design powerhouse, Pininfarina, TKHG plans to begin development of these upcoming ultra-serviced, exquisitely appointed Limited Edition Keating Hotels this year. www.thekeating.com
About Flexpetz:
Flexpetz Holdings Inc. provides unique pet-based programs such as the FLEXPETZ Flexible Dog OwnershipTM program for dog lovers who are unable to own a full-time doggy pal, and the FLEXPETZ Hotel Canine AmbassadorTM program available to hotels operators both national and internationally. www.flexpetz.com
