Stay at a W Hotel and Drive an Acura MDX

Two luxury brands -- Acura and W Hotels -- have joined forces, and it's a win for everybody.

The new partnership gives guests at W Hotels the opportunity to be chauffered in style in a 2008 MDX luxury SUV -- for when you want to arrive relaxed instead of rumpled to the theater or an important business meeting.

Since most W Hotels are located downtown, in cities such as New York and San Francisco, this is a thoughtful complimentary perk for hotel guests. Let's repeat that -- free -- just call the concierge and request a ride.

It's called the Acura Experience, and it includes the opportunity to get behind the wheel yourself to experience what it's like to drive the seven-passenger MDX vehicle.

The program begins April first -- no fooling -- and runs through January 31, 2009 for sure, and could be extended beyond that.

My gurus at Acura expect that some 100,000 W Hotel guests will take advantage of this program in the in the ten-month pilot program.

Both sides Acura and W Hotels -- hope the program will build brand loyalty. Acura, by getting potential new customers into their MDX. And W Hotels, by giving guests a complimentary service not available at other 'downtown' hotels.