BEST WESTERN AKU TIKI INN RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS 'BEST OF THE BEST' DESIGN AWARD

DAYTONA BEACH SHORES, Fla.  - The Polynesian-themed Best Western Aku Tiki Inn in Daytona Beach Shores was recognized with the Best of the Best Design Award at Best Western International's North American Convention held in Montreal on October 17, 2007.The award was presented to Tom and Barbara Staed, owners of the property, in front of more than 2,000 industry peers.The prestigious award is given to the Best Western property whose design and/or construction project is deemed most impressive by an independent panel of judges made up of professional members of the American Society of Interior Designers and the American Institute of Architects.The Best Western Aku Tiki Inn was one of only eight hotels out of more than 2,400 properties in the U.S. and Canada to receive this designation.

'We're very excited to be honored with this award,' said Blaine Lansberry, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Staed Hotels.'When we renovated the Aku Tiki in 2005, we put a great deal of time and effort into the design of the entire property.We wanted to create a memorable vacation experience and provide an atmosphere guests would remember long after their visit.'

Situated along a quiet stretch of the World's MostFamousBeach, the Best Western Aku Tiki Inn provides guests with outstanding amenities, such as daily cocktail reception, newspaper, fresh baked cookies, and free high-speed Internet access.Visitors enjoy the tropical ambiance created by bamboo, palms, colorful hibiscus, and an indoor/outdoor pond.

An ideal setting for small to mid-size meetings, the recently renovated property added more than 1,650 square feet of flexible banquet and conference facilities in 2005.The 1,566 square foot Tiki Room can accommodate up to 85 persons and can set banquet, classroom, theatre, or reception style, depending on the needs of the group.The Bali Boardroom seats 14 guests comfortably in plush high back chairs.

Staed Hotels maintains the Best Western Aku Tiki Inn and Bahama House, catering to families, golfers, corporate travel executives, and meeting planners in search of the best of Daytona's beach experience.Daytona Beach residents since 1960, the Staed family has been active in the hotel industry for nearly 60 years.At the peak of their ventures, they ran 11 hotels, accounting for 1,500 rooms and 9,000 square feet of meeting space in the Daytona Beach area.

For reservations, call the Best Western Aku Tiki Inn at (800) 258-8454 or (386) 252-9631, and the Bahama House at 800-571-2001 or 386-248-2001.For additional information on the properties, visit www.BWAkuTiki.com, www.DaytonaBahamaHouse.com or www.StaedHotels.com.

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