It's SHOWTIME!!!

Hear ye, Hear ye! The aloft Dulles North would like to announce that it finally has two show rooms ready to be displayed for public view. With a little help, I finally got the show rooms set up so anyone who is intrigued with what guest lofts look like can come and take a peak - but only I have the keys.

Once you come for a walk through of the lofts you will be amazed at the flirtacious vibe the room gives off, it kind of makes you want to stay or book a room (hint, hint!). I want to thank PMHS Support Team and the many construction workers who helped me prepare these rooms in record time,. It could not be done without you guys. So come one, come all and come stay at the aloft Dulles North hotel!




Irssy Perez
Sales Coordinator

Road Trip to aloft Philadelphia!

aloft delivers a new tWist in travel indeed. I made a road trip to aloft philadelphia to experience where "...energy flows, personalities mingle, and opportunities abound. A place where anything can happen". I was so excited to get there that the road trip felt like forever. When I finally arrived I was smiling from ear to ear with excitement. The exterior was so modern and fun, that it made me curious to see more. Everything I could imagine about aloft was right before my eyes! All the colors, textures, smells, tastes and visuals kept me busy enough that I thought about staying the night, but I couldn't because I had work the next day (tear). The rooms were very different from the cookie-cutter hotels I have seen. I spent most of my time touring but when that came to an end, I took time to experience the re:mix lounge and felt like a kid again. They had games guests could play like connect four, checkers, and my favorite "operation". aloft also provided books to read and art work on display from local artists, that you could buy. Well, I think I will stop spoiling the experience factor and let you experience aloft for yourself. When you decide to make reservations at the aloft Dulles North hotel, make sure you ask for me, so we can play a competitive but fun game of connect four.

Irssy Perez
Sales Coordinator

Starwood Rooms University

Aloha aloft readers! I must say that Seattle is a pretty interesting city. I think I saw the sun for about 45 minutes in the 4 days I was there attending Starwood Hotels and Resorts "Rooms University". This class was a fun filled adventure covering the ABC's of Housekeeping, the ARRIVAL process, and StarGuest Response (addressing guest requests). I was able to meet many managers from across the United States who were there representing all of Starwoods brands i.e. W Hotels, Westin, Sheraton, aloft, element, Four Points, St. Regis, and The Luxury Collection. Rooms University was truly an amazing class, and I believe I am a better operator for attending.

I would like to share Starwood's Mission: Create the most successful branded. global, lifestyle hospitality company by forming a trust and respect based corporate family committed to re-imagining our business with creativity and innovation, resulting in the most fun workplace in the history of the world.

Milan Patnaik
General Manager

Dulles Day annual "Plane Pull"

On September 6th, 2008 the aloft Dulles North hotel along with 3 other PMHS Dulles Hotels will be participating in the annual Dulles Day "Plane Pull". Our goal is to raise $1000+ for the Special Olympics Virginia and with 21 team members on board, and I know we can do it.

So you ask what exactly is a Plane Pull? All the various teams that are raising money for the Special Olympics compete to see who can pull a 150,000 lb. cargo plane the fastest in a 12 foot distance.

Team: PMHS Dulles Hotels consist of the following hotel properties - aloft Dulles North, Embassy Suites Dulles North, Hilton Garden Inn Dulles North, and the Homewood Suites Dulles North.

If you would like to donate money to this very worthy cause, please use the following link: http://firstgiving.com/pmhs.

Remember, the Dulles Day Festival is more than just a Plane Pull. The festival includes various events such as car shows, aircraft displays, exhibitor areas (be sure to check out our booth), games, rides, live music and a Kids Corner!

See you there!

Milan Patnaik

General Manager

Civil War Encampment Weekend

On August 16 Saturday and 17 Sunday, 2008 at Sully Plantation -Sully Historic Site there will be a Civil War Encampment Weekend.
10am-4pm Saturday, 10am-3pm Sunday. Federal and Confederate troops recreate Civil War daily life. Skirmishes each day include infantry, artillery and cavalry. Stop by the surgeon’s tent to see how the sick and wounded were treated. Enjoy live music and a fashion show. House tour included. $7/adult, $5/senior and child or two day ticket $12/adult, $8/senior and child.

Bienvenidos! Welcome! Aloha!

Aloha! My name is Irssy Mercedes Perez and I am 23 years of age. I was born in the Dominican Republic and raised in the United States. I lived in the Dominican Republic for 2 years while my mother tried settling in the United States. Once she found a steady job and place for us to live, she sent for me. I have lived in California, Florida, New Jersey, New York, Nevada and finally settled in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Living in the Amish suburbs was a complete culture shock for me. After living in the ghettos and harsh city streets of other states, coming to a place so serene and peaceful made me realize this country is a melting pot. I realized that every time we moved, it was a complete turnaround from the last state. For the past year and a half, I am continually meeting and experiencing an array of people from different cultures living on the border of Virginia & Washington, D.C. and I could not ask for a bigger melting pot.

I was an administrative assistant/accountant/Supervisor for one of the many brands of the Hilton Hotel Corporation before I started my position with aloft Dulles North. I am Bilingual, fluent in Spanish and English. I am eclectic and love to dance. I am a frequent reader of James Patterson books. I have the heart of gold on my side and his name is Brian, we have been together for two years and I could not ask for a better companion and best-friend. We have two adorable dogs, Kita (akita) and Tootsie (yorkie-poodle mix). I’m excited to be a part of the aloft brand and am looking forward in growing with PM Hospitality Strategies, Inc. I hope I get an opportunity to meet you as a guest at our aloft property, don’t hesitate to ask for me. Adios!

Irssy Perez
Sales Coordinator

The Dark Knight - "The Batpod"

I have to get me one of these! For those who are familiar with the batpod, from the newest in The Batman series entitled "The Dark Night", this cylce of certain suicide has fans on the edge of their seats for a whopping 2 hours and 30 minutes. But most fans don't know that the only actual person to ride the batpod is French stunt driver Jean-Pierre Goy. So what's so special about this newest version of the batcycle? Not only does it have machine guns, cannons, and grappling hooks, but both front and rear tires are enormously huge, measuring at 20 inches a piece with engines located near hub of each wheel! How do you ride a bike with no handlebars? Instead of handlebars this batpod is outfitted with shields that fit each arm like sleeves and can rotate around the entire bike's frame.

So what would be better then spending a Friday night with a bucket of buttery popcorn with a large Coke on the side at your local movie theater? Watching the movie in IMAX! Here in the Dulles area we have the best IMAX theater in Northern Virginia located in our very own Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum. Tickets start at $12.50 a piece, but is worth every penny.

The Dark Knight is the creation of Warner Bros. Pictures, in association with Legendary Pictures, a Syncopy Production, a Christopher Nolan film and stars Christian Bale, Michael Caine, the late Heath Ledger, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Morgan Freeman. Nolan directed the film from a screenplay written by Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan, story by Christopher Nolan & David S. Goyer. Charles Roven, Emma Thomas and Christopher Nolan are the producers, with Benjamin Melniker, Michael E. Uslan, Kevin De La Noy and Thomas Tull serving as executive producers. The Dark Knight is based upon characters created by Bob Kane and appearing in comic books published by DC Comics.

Milan Patnaik
General Manager

Wolf Trap Event

Last weekend I went home for a girls night in Philadelphia and knowing that I wouldn’t get a lot of sleep I knew that the drive back to Northern Virginia would not be an enjoyable one. Thankfully I did not hit any traffic on I-95 or 495, but wouldn’t you know that as soon as I reached the Toll Road (VA-267) it came to a complete standstill. My immediate thought was that there must have been an accident, but before too long I realized that everyone in the cars around me were obviously heading to the same place. I slowly crept up to the exit for the Wolf Trap Center of Performing Arts and it became very apparent that there must be a big event going on that afternoon.

Sure enough I came home and through a quick internet search I found out that Wolf Trap was hosting the Roots, Rock, Reggae Festival 2008. The event featured musicians across the genres that united to honor and celebrate the music of Bob Marley. With special guest appearances by Damian Jr. Gong Marley, Ziggy Marley, Barrington Levy, and Soja, I wish I would’ve gotten tickets.

After some more research I quickly realized that Wolf Trap truly offers a lot. A typical season at Wolf Trap includes something for everyone with performances ranging from pop, country, folk, and blues to orchestra, dance, theater, and opera, as well as innovative performance art and multimedia presentations.

Even though I was upset that I had to sit in traffic, I was happy to uncover a great location close to my home where I can enjoy great events.

-Becky Davis