Rather than cut back on amenities or services, Apple Core Hotels, a group of five moderately priced hotels operated in conjunction with national chains, has augmented its amenities by installing high-speed, wireless Internet connectivity, referred to as Wi-Fi, at all five of its Midtown Manhattan-based properties as a complimentary service. Using state-of-the-art 3Com� technology, Apple Core Hotels� Wi-Fi service is free of charge and accessible in all guest rooms and public spaces. Guests without Wi-Fi-enabled systems can use conveniently located Ethernet ports to access the Internet.

�More than ever, business travelers need to spend wisely and stay connected, so adding complimentary Wi-Fi services makes Apple Core Hotels an attractive alternative to the high-priced luxury hotels charging by the minute for this service,� says Vijay Dandapani, COO of Apple Core Hotels. �Our guests will appreciate the 3Com wireless connection�s speed, security and convenience, and we were pleased that installing the equipment did not interfere with our guests. For us, it offered a price point well below that of installing similar hardwired connections,� he continued.

Known for providing business travelers with good value, Apple Core Hotels� rates start at just $89 including complimentary continental breakfast daily. All five properties provide on-site business and fitness centers, phones with voicemail and data ports, color TV with wireless Web access and on-demand movies and video games, as well as in-room coffee makers, hairdryers, irons and ironing boards. For road warriors looking to bring the family along, children under 13 stay free when sharing their parents� room, making a large room with two double beds an economical choice.

Apple Core Hotels selected the 3Com 11 Mbps Wireless LAN Access Points and Wireless LAN Workgroup Bridges based on the convenient �plug and play� technology, which allows hotel guests and meeting attendees with laptops to seamlessly connect to the office, home or Internet without passwords or loading cumbersome software.

Almost 200 times the speed of typical dial-up (56Kbps) connections, which only connect a single user at a time, 3Com�s Wi-Fi system allows for up to 256 simultaneous users. The non-intrusive, cost-effective system allows Apple Core Hotels� properties to stay open during installation, and guests appreciate being able to use the in-room phone while surfing the Internet. 3Com�s state-of-the-art encryption technology also helps to secure guests� data from being accessed by hackers or unauthorized individuals by actually encrypting all materials traveling over the Wi-Fi system.

�Business travelers have always sought in-home conveniences such as coffee makers hairdryers and irons when making hospitality selections,� said Kristina Lowe, 3Com�s wireless product marketing manager. �Today�s mobile workforce now include high-speed Internet access among the common in-room utilities they require for communicating. Apple Core Hotels recognizes their guests� needs and has exceeded their expectations by installing 3Com�s secure, Wi-Fi connectivity as an �instant utility�, enabling individuals to quickly download bandwidth-intensive files such as PowerPoint presentations or simply send an email to co-workers or family members from anywhere within the hotel.�

About 3Com 3Com is a tier-one provider of innovative, practical and high-value networking products for enterprises of all sizes and public sector organizations. 3Com is also a leader in providing Internet protocol (IP) service platforms and access infrastructure for network service providers. For further information, please visit www.3com.com, or the press site www.3com.com/pressbox.

About Apple Core Hotels Apple Core Hotels properties include the brand new La Quinta Inn Manhattan (17 West 32nd Street), Red Roof Inn Manhattan (6 West 32nd Street), the smoke-free Comfort Inn Midtown (129 West 46th Street), Super 8 Hotel Times Square (59 West 46th Street), and the Ramada Inn East Side (161 Lexington Avenue). For information or reservations, contact Apple Core Hotels at (800) 567-7720 or (212) 790-2710. For real-time reservations, log on to Apple Core Hotels� new interactive Web site, www.applecorehotels.com.

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Media Contact: Doug Greenberg +1 212-228-1500 doug@njfpr.com