Apple Core Hotels, a group of five moderately priced midtown Manhattan properties, offers free iTunes music downloads from Apple Computer for travel through Dec. 31. Guests who by May 3 book a three-night minimum stay at any Apple Core Hotel receive an electronic iTunes gift certificate good for 10 tune downloads, mailed to them at checkout. Booking a five-night minimum stay brings a free, 20-song download.

The promotion solidifies Apple Core's claim as among the elite of the city's high-tech hotels. Not only does the collection offer free in-room, high-speed Wi-Fi Internet connectivity and video games, it was one of the first in the hotel industry to launch blogs, accessible through www.applecorehotels.com and through www.vijaydandapani.com. Apple Core's iTunes promotion is available at http://www.applecorehotels.com/promotions/tunes/ with the promo code free music.

In the iTunes drive, Apple Core Hotels joins such brands as Avis Rent A Car System and the Caribou Coffee Company. They, too, offer promotions linked to iTunes, the 99-cent music download offering that has made Apple's iPod a consumer smash.