Joie de Vivre Announces the Opening of Hotel Tomo In San Francisco's Japantown

Renovation of Iconic Best Western Miyako Inn Seen as First Key Step In Revitalization of Famed San Francisco Neighborhood

San Francisco (April 19, 2007) - On June 1, 2007, Chip Conley, founder and CEO of Joie de Vivre Hospitality, will celebrate the official opening of the company's newest property, Hotel Tomo, located in San Francisco's historic and newly energized Japantown. Inspired by the vibrant, manga/anime-style artistic energy that fuels Japan's youth culture, Hotel Tomo has been designed to blend the attributes of a premier Japanese-style boutique hotel with a unique and whimsical creative sensibility. The 125-room hotel, formerly home to the Best Western Miyako Inn, was acquired by Joie de Vivre in May 2006; its transformation is widely viewed as the first significant step in plans to revitalize the Japantown area.

"Hotel Tomo represents a completely new hotel option in San Francisco," said Conley. "Japantown is not only one of the most exciting and authentic ethnic enclaves in America, but it is a destination of unique appeal that is on the verge of a remarkable rebirth and expansion. The success of Joie de Vivre has been built on recognizing opportunities to create new niches, and we are extremely pleased to announce this exciting first step in the revitalization of one of San Francisco's most viable, distinctive and enchanting destinations."

Located in the heart of Japantown and adjacent to the Fillmore Street shopping corridor, Hotel Tomo provides an ideal home base for exploring San Francisco's array of sightseeing options. Hotel Tomo's central location offers guests immediate proximity to Union Square, Nob Hill, Fisherman's Wharf, Ghiradelli Square and the city's fabled cable cars. Guests can also enjoy the many cultural offerings of Japantown, including theatres, shopping, authentic Japanese cuisine and Japanese-style spas.

In addition to its 125 guest rooms, the hotel comprises two gaming suites, a fitness center and five meeting spaces, each designed with the full complement of amenities for the modern business or leisure traveler. Each guest room features a 26-inch LCD flat screen television, iPod docking station, luxurious linens, cozy waffle bathrobes, both wired and wireless high-speed connectivity and two high-tech vending machines in the hotel lobby.

Replete with bean bags, 6-foot LCD projection screens, Sony PS3, Nintendo Wii and WiFi, the two gaming suites are innovative venues for groups looking for distinctive, avant-garde accommodations.

Hotel Tomo boasts more than 2,650 square feet of unique meeting space, including two outdoor "Geo-domes." These state-of-the art meeting spaces are equipped with WiFi and audio-visual technology, and can host a variety of events, from business meetings and corporate conferences to company retreats and weddings.

"Tomo means friend or companion, and Hotel Tomo certainly offers a warm, inviting and friendly environment," said Derek Banderas, general manager of Hotel Tomo. "Our hotel is for the creatively inspired traveler looking for a practical yet unconventional hotel experience in the heart of one of the most breathtaking cities in the world. Our public and private outdoor spaces are ideal for enjoying San Francisco's unique mix of natural and urban beauty."

Guests of Hotel Tomo will enjoy the wildly-popular Mum's House of Shabu Shabu, a lively Japanese-American dining experience. Moderately priced and pulsing with energy, the restaurant features savory meats, vegetables and dipping sauces cooked table-side on an iron hotpot.

For the consummate revitalizing hotel experience, guests are only steps away from Joie de Vivre's Kabuki Springs & Spa, a traditional Japanese bathhouse featuring Japanese-style spa treatments and communal bathing in a soothing, relaxing and rejuvenating environment.

Hotel Tomo is just one of several major transformations that will combine to bring renewed energy and attention to San Francisco's Japantown, which remains the most thriving Japanese-American community in the nation. Other key elements in the transformation include the arrival of Sundance Theatres, Bushi Tei restaurant, the new Kintetsu Mall, a J-Pop Center, and Miyako Hotel (soon to be renamed Kabuki Hotel).

Hotel Tomo is located at 1800 Sutter Street. The hotel can be reached by calling (415) 921-4000 or toll-free at 888-TAB-TOMO. For further information, please visit the Web site at www.jdvhospitality.com.

About Joie de Vivre Hospitality

Based in San Francisco, Joie de Vivre Hospitality (www.jdvhotels.com) is a creative collection of lifestyle businesses. As California's largest independent boutique hotelier, Joie de Vivre encompasses other hospitality businesses such as restaurants and spas. Celebrating 20 years of creating dreams, Joie de Vivre Hospitality is expanding its California presence in Sacramento, Oakland, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Sunnyvale, Huntington Beach and beyond.

Media contacts: Alison Stout or Karolina Kielbowicz at Glodow Nead Communications, (415) 394-6500 -Alison@GlodowNead.com, Karolina@GlodowNead.com.
Or Dawn Shalhoup at Joie de Vivre Hospitality, (415)773-1067
dshalhoup@jdvhospitality.com.