Shenzhen, China (August 19, 2008) /China Newswire/ — Futian Shangri-La, Shenzhen, a new five-star, US$200 million, flagship Shangri-La hotel, has opened in the heart of Futian, the bustling business district of Shenzhen, one of the largest and busiest cities in southern China.

With a population of more than eight million, Shenzhen is located adjacent to the international city of Hong Kong. The hotel itself is a mere stone's throw away from thriving retail areas and office towers and just a few minutes’ walk from Shenzhen's mass transit railway system, which links directly to Hong Kong via the Huanggang border crossing and Futian port. It also offers easy access to Shenzhen International Bao’an Airport, the Shekou ferry terminal and the city's major tourist attractions, making it ideal for both business and leisure travellers.

The new hotel, which adds a 40-storey luxury building to the city's impressive skyline, offers 498 guestrooms, 50 suites and 53 serviced apartments, as well as two ballrooms, an auditorium, function rooms, a health club, spa facilities, a business centre, wireless Internet access that is available in all public areas, including the lobby, and a wide range of restaurants and bars.

Guests at Futian Shangri-La, Shenzhen will find a lively yet relaxed atmosphere that is guaranteed to make the hotel the talk of the town and ensure that guests feel just as comfortable in a tuxedo as they do in jeans. International interior design company BBG-BBGM was responsible for the hotel's strikingly modern, contemporary decor.

A typical guestroom at Futian Shangri-La, Shenzhen measures an average of 45 square metres, and has a feel that is both classic and contemporary, while also being warm and comfortable, with the hotel's six-star quality expressed through the design, colour and textures used. The rooms also feature cutting-edge electronic equipment that is placed alongside discreet touches of Chinese inspiration that remind guests that they are in southern China. Among the facilities available are an iPod dock, a 37-inch LCD television in the room with a 15-inch version in the bathroom, wired and wireless Internet connectivity, and DVD and CD players.

The hotel's suites are particularly comfortable and measure between 96 and 288 square metres. In addition to being warm, elegant and inviting, each suite offers a large entry foyer with marble floors. Bedrooms feature a large work area with a desk, a multi-purpose fax machine and wired and wireless Internet access. The living area has comfortable seating, a wall-mounted 40-inch LCD television and DVD player with a stereo sound system. The spacious bathroom has a separate toilet and bidet, a whirlpool bath, two hand basins and a 15-inch LCD television.

In addition to the guestrooms, Futian Shangri-La, Shenzhen has 53 serviced apartments located on levels six to 11 with a separate entrance, entrance lobby and lifts. The apartments, which are available in one, two and three-bedroom versions, as well as a two-bedroom apartment with a study room, offer a contemporary and elegant layout with a residential feel, yet with all the services and facilities of the hotel immediately to hand. Guests of the serviced apartments have access to the hotel's restaurants, health club, spa, indoor swimming pool and outdoor tennis court.

Food lovers throughout the city will be particularly excited about the opening of Futian Shangri-La, Shenzhen, which promises to set the standard for fine dining in Shenzhen.

The hotel's all-day dining outlet on level one is a fun and comfortable restaurant that offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night supper. Here, diners enjoy both buffet and a la carte options, as well as live cooking stations serving specialties and local favourites typically found in Hong Kong's well known dai pai dong street stalls and cafes, including Dim Sum, Peking Duck, Congee, Noodles and a variety of healthy double-boiled soups. Diners have the choice of eating inside this charming restaurant or, in good weather, alfresco style on the terrace.

The hotel's Italian restaurant offers diners a warm and rustic ambience, along with authentic, traditional Italian cuisine and an extensive wine wall of some 750 wines. Diners can choose from the main dining room, one of two private rooms or the outdoor terrace seating area in which to enjoy their tasty yet simple meal.

On the ground floor of the hotel is the bar, where guests can revel in the club-like, chic and elegant atmosphere that is also warm and comfortable as the enjoy drinks and antipasti. This area also features LCD televisions on two walls to offer guests an eclectic mix of news, entertainment, sports and music throughout the evening.

The hotel's lobby lounge is open all day, offering snacks, pastries and desserts, as well as high tea in the afternoons, in an international ambience. Nightly entertainment includes a pianist or Chinese instrumentalist in the early evening, followed by professional bands playing a wide range of music, from light jazz, R&B and contemporary favourites to Latin fusions and ballads.

On level two, the hotel's Chinese restaurant, Fook Lam Moon, entices diners from all over the city with its authentic and delicious Cantonese cuisine. Open for both lunch and dinner, Fook Lam Moon also features nine private dining rooms offering a lounge-style seating area, a private bathroom and an LCD television, making this the ideal choice for both top-notch business events and warm, cosy family gatherings.

For event organisers, Futian Shangri-La, Shenzhen offers a 1,800-square-metre grand ballroom with a high ceiling of 9.5 metres and a hydraulic built-in stage, as well as direct access to a huge lift that makes the ballroom ideal for car launches and similar events. Also available is an auditorium, a junior ballroom, a boardroom and a range of 10 function rooms that can meet all requirements, as well as video conferencing facilities and simultaneous translation services. A professional team of event specialists are on hand to ensure that all events are a success. In addition, the hotel is located adjacent to the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Centre and the city's Civic Centre, offering both organisers and delegates supreme convenience as well as access to an even wider range of events and facilities.

For extra special events, the hotel has an exclusive function venue, the Chairman's Room. Located on the top floor, the Chairman's Room offers guests spectacular views over the city and comes complete with a kitchen, making it the ideal place for small-scale private entertaining.

Guests travelling on business will find that the hotel offers a fully equipped business centre staffed by a professional team that is able to handle all requirements, including photocopying, secretarial, translation and courier services, and business information and advice. The business centre also offers three meeting rooms and four offices that are available for rent.

For guests more inclined to relax, the health club at Futian Shangri-La, Shenzhen is designed to be a retreat that offers a relaxing yet revitalising combination of exercise and spa facilities and treatments. The fully equipped gymnasium features the latest cardiovascular equipment and an assessment room, while the spa offers guests five single and three double deluxe treatment suites, a steam room, a sauna, a whirlpool and a wide range of services, including massages, facials and other specialist treatments. For the more active
guest, the hotel also features an indoor swimming pool with a whirlpool area, and an outdoor tennis court.

Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts currently owns and/or manages 55 hotels under the Shangri-La and Traders brands with a rooms inventory of over 28,000. Shangri-La hotels are five-star deluxe properties featuring extensive luxury facilities and services. Shangri-La hotels are located in Australia, mainland China, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Sultanate of Oman, Taiwan, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates. The group has over 50 projects under development in Austria, Canada, mainland China, France, India, Japan, Macau, Maldives, Philippines, Qatar, Seychelles,
Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United States. For more information or reservations, please contact a travel professional or access the website at www.shangri-la.com.

CONTACT INFORMATION

• Meanne Dizerens-Lau
  Director of Communications
  Futian Shangri-La, Shenzhen
  Tel: (86 755) 8828 4088
  Fax: (86 755) 8828 4388
  E-mail: meanne.dizerenslau@shangri-la.com
  

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Futian Shangri-La | New Opening

The National Carrier actively participated in several travel fairs in China this year, including the Beijing International Tourism Expo (BITE), the International Travel Expo & MICE in Hong Kong, and the Guangzhou International Travel Fair (GITF). SriLankan also co-organized a workshop for travel agents in the Chinese capital.

Tourist arrivals from China to Sri Lankan grew by 7.3% in the first half of 2008, a trend that is expected to grow due to the combined efforts of the Government, the National Carrier, the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau (SLTPB), and the country's hoteliers and tour operators.

SriLankan is also actively working with SLTPB and the Embassy to increase awareness of Sri Lanka by sponsoring a number of media tours from China. SriLankan serves China with thrice-weekly flights to Beijing, and another three to Hong Kong.

The Sri Lanka booth received a special award as the "Most Outstanding Booth" from the 81 countries at BITE. The colorful stand drew much interest, especially with a Dance Troupe providing dazzling performances of Sri Lankan dances in front of it.

BITE 2008 in June was a major international event that coincided with the upcoming Beijing Olympics. It attracted 700 domestic and foreign exhibitors and 300 trade buyers from 81 countries, with more 10,000 trade visitors attending the event.

Sri Lanka's Embassy in Beijing, in collaboration with the SLTPB and SriLankan Airlines, held a workshop on 19th June at the embassy premises for leading Sri Lankan travel agents operating in the Chinese market and Chinese travel agents who are actively involved in promoting Sri Lanka. Over sixty Chinese and Sri Lankan travel agents and media personnel attended.

At the International Travel Expo in Hong Kong, also in June, SriLankan teamed up with several of the island's hotels and tour operators to promote leisure and Ayurveda packages. The 22nd International Travel Expo drew 650 exhibitors from 50 countries, nearly 13,000 trade and corporate visitors and 57,500 public visitors.

In April, SriLankan took part in GITF, to promote Sri Lanka in the Guangzhou region in the south, one of the fast growing regions in China. More then 100,000 visitors attended the three-day fair. SriLankan prepared special flyers customized for the fair, printed in Chinese.

About SriLankan

SriLankan Airlines has in recent years achieved global recognition for its standards in excellence, winning such prestigious titles as "World's Best Airline" in a survey of Economy Class passengers, "World's Friendliest Cabin Staff", first runner-up for "World's Best Cabin Staff", "Best Overall Inflight Entertainment (for a fleet size of 20 or less)", "Best Airline Turnaround of the Year 2004″, and "World's Most Efficient Operator of Airbus A330s (in the small fleet category)" in 2002 and 2003 from Airbus Industry.

SriLankan operates three flights from Beijing to Bangkok and Colombo, connecting passengers to its global network of 41 destinations in 22 countries.

CONTACT INFORMATION

• Jessie Lu
  Tel: +86 10 84470844 ext.601
  Fax: +86 10 84470483
  E-mail: yclu@lavender-media.com

  Isabella Zhao
  Tel: +86 10 84470844 ext.607
  Fax: +86 10 84470483
  E-mail: yczhao@lavender-media.com

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SriLankan Airlines | Tourist from China to Sri Lankan

Singapore (August 18, 2008) /China Newswire/ — Less than three months after Singapore Airlines launched its non-stop all-Business Class flights to New York (Newark), the Airline has introduced this new service to Los Angeles.

SQ38 departed Singapore today at 1611hrs and is expected to arrive in Los Angeles at 1735hrs. The return flight, SQ37, will depart Los Angeles at 2115hrs and arrive in Singapore at 0545hrs on 12 August 2008 (all times local).

Singapore Airlines is the first to operate all-Business Class services between Asia and the USA, offering customers the convenience of a non-stop service coupled with the Airline's award-winning premium products and services.

The newly configured Airbus A340-500 is fitted with 100 of Singapore Airlines' new Business Class seats. Measuring over 76cm in width, the Business Class seat is almost 50 percent wider than most products currently offered in this class.

Seats are arranged in a forward facing, 1-2-1 configuration that offers all customers direct access to the aisle. Every seat also has a fixed back shell that extends to the sides for added privacy.

The innovative design sees the seat transforming into a full-flat bed for sleeping or simply to lounge in while enjoying over 1,000 on-demand options available on KrisWorld, the inflight entertainment system. Customers can also entertain themselves with their personal audio and video content from their iPod or iPhone on KrisWorld.

KrisWorld also transforms into the customer's own office in the sky with its suite of office applications, based on Sun Microsystem's StarOffice platform, that allows them to work without a laptop.

For the discerning epicurean traveller, there is World Gourmet Cuisine, featuring signature dishes designed by the Airline's International Culinary Panel of world-renowned chefs.

In-between meals, customers can head to the Passenger Corner to pick up snacks and drinks or socialise during the flight.

For now, the all-Business Class A340-500 operates three times weekly to Los Angeles (on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays), with daily services from 21 September 2008 onwards.

Schedule - Singapore Airlines' All-Business Class Service To Los Angeles

Flight number Date Day Departure Time Arrival Time
SQ38
Singapore-Los Angeles 10 Aug – 19 Sept* 2008 Wed, Fri, Sun 16:15 17:35
SQ37
Los Angeles-Singapore 10 Aug – 19 Sept 2008 Wed, Fri, Sun 21:15 05:45 +2

Flight number Date Day Departure Time Arrival Time
SQ38
Singapore-Los Angeles 21 Sept – 25 Oct 2008 Daily 16:15 17:35
SQ37
Los Angeles-Singapore 21 Sept – 25 Oct 2008 Daily 21:15 05:45 +2

All times local

SQ38 departs from Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 3. Passengers should proceed to Terminal 3 to check-in for this flight.

*Please note that on 10 September 2008, SQ38 will depart Singapore at 1200hrs instead of 1615hrs.

CONTACT INFORMATION

• Singapore Airlines Public Affairs Department
  Tel: (65) 6541-5880 (office hours)
  Tel: (65) 9753-2126 (after office hours)
  Fax: (65) 6545-6083
  E-mail: Public_Affairs@singaporeair.com.sg

Technorati Tags:
Singapore Airlines | All-Business Class

Shenzhen, China (August 15, 2008) /China Newswire/ — This year the possibilities expand with the launch of three theme hotels. These include the Mahayana OCT Hotel that weaves Zen concept into the design, the Wind Valley O•City Hotel that adopts the design concept of Motorhome and delivers a brand-new living experience and the Waterfall OCT Hotel that adopts the twin themes of wine and waterfall. These three hotels offer differing ways of relaxation and entertainment. The big canyon of OCT East overlooks the eastern golden coast line of Shenzhen which is enhanced by the hotels adopting theme elements of "Forest, Sunshine, Earth, Ocean and Space".

In the years to come, Interlaken OCT will, together with the three new top quality theme hotels, display its charms through the picturesque and life-enhancing land of OCT East. The new hotels will be part of that continuing tradition.

CONTACT INFORMATION

• Abby Zhang
  PR Coordinator
  The Interlaken OCT Hotel Shenzhen
  OCT East, Dameisha, Yantian District, Shenzhen 518083
  Tel: +86 0755 8888 3333 - 6118
  Fax: +86 0755 2503 1114
  Email: abby.zhang@interlakenocthotel.com

Technorati Tags:
Interlaken OCT | New Opening

Beijing, China (August 15, 2008) /China Newswire/ — Carlson Hotels Worldwide – Asia Pacific recently appointed Eric Kee as the General Manager of Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing. Eric brings with him close to two decades of hospitality experience having held various senior management positions in international hotels around the world, including the US, Macau, Japan and Malaysia. Before Mr. Kee joined Carlson Group, he worked for Wynn Resort and Mandarin Oriental in Macau as important management positions.

"I am very honoured to be taking on this leadership role with Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing. The hotel has displayed strong performance in the last two years, since its opening. Selected as one of the five Olympic Family Hotels by the Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee, I look forward to ensuring that we continue to deliver excellence in guest services and facilities."

INTERNET LINKS

http://www.parkplaza.com/beijingcn

CONTACT INFORMATION

• Jessie Zhang
  Public Relations Coordinator
  Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing
  T: 8522 1999 -5239
  F: 8522 1190
  Email: pr@parkplaza.com

Technorati Tags:
Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing | New Appointment

Macau, China (August 13, 2008) /China Newswire/ — Live a magnifique experience! Macau's first and only French luxury hotel - Sofitel Macau At Ponte16 – has made its debut in August 2008 in the heart of Macau's most significant and historic waterfront precinct.

The hotel has been developed by Pier 16 – Resort Hotel Management Limited as part of an estimated HK$3.2 billion (US$400 million) total investment that involves the development of a combined hotel, casino, retail, restaurant and entertainment complex.

Sofitel Macau is set to become one of Macau's most prestigious deluxe hotels. Built around the remaining façade of Pier 16, the 20-storey Sofitel Macau has 408 rooms (all with Sofitel's renowned 'MyBed'), Mistral restaurant and Rendezvous the lobby lounge, swimming pool, business centre and a 460 sqm multi-function banquet room plus additional meeting rooms. The hotel will also have Club Sofitel floors as well as The Mansion at Sofitel designed especially for the casino's high rollers.

The Ponte 16 is located in the Inner Harbour of Macau's Pier 16, one of the oldest financial hubs in Macau.
The development echoes the Inner Harbour's heritage, and protects landmarks such as the Old Clock Tower, the focal point of the project. Sofitel Macau is located on the right side of the Clock Tower, while the left side houses the casino complex, which is planned to include retail shops, restaurants and entertainment facilities. Cobblestone streets connect the different sectors of the project site, a promenade will be built along the Ponte 16 waterfront to provide a venue for outdoor performances and other recreational activities.

Sofitel Macau is within walking distance to the 'Historic Centre of Macau', a World Heritage Site enlisted by UNESCO and a living representation of the city's original settlement. The area is characterised by a myriad of narrow laneways and piazzas, which provide a link to over 20 historical monuments, including the Ruins of St. Paul's, sections of the Old City Walls and the Mount Fortress.

Sofitel Macau General Manager, Robert Rippon, said that Sofitel Macau was unique amongst Macau's luxury hotels in that it combined modern style and design with a stunning heritage location.

"Many travellers coming to Macau want to be part of the heritage and character of old Macau, while still seeking the luxury of a contemporary 5-star hotel – and that's exactly what Sofitel Macau offers," he said.

"Ponte 16 is an outstanding development that revitalises one of Macau's most distinctive heritage areas. When the development is fully completed, the precinct will be one of Macau's most vibrant areas, with an excellent range of restaurants, bars, entertainment venues and retail outlets to complement the peninsula's historic attractions, which are on Sofitel Macau's doorstep."

"The vast interest in historic cities bodes well for Macau, and with Ponte 16's commitment to maintaining the historic integrity of the waterfront district, we believe Sofitel Macau will attract strong interest from visitors around the world, including discerning leisure travellers and high-end conference and incentive groups."

The opening of Sofitel Macau is expected to continue Macau's tourism momentum, which will be realised through Sofitel's global distribution channels.

Sofitel Macau At Ponte 16 is the 22nd Sofitel to open in China, and follows the highly successful launch of Sofitel Wanda Beijing last year. Sofitel hotels and resorts are to be found in China's most important commercial and resort destinations including Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Xi'an, Xiamen and Hangzhou. The network will grow to 25 hotels by the end of 2008, making it one of China's largest and fastest growing networks of luxury hotels.

Opening rate for Sofitel Macau starts from HKD1,350++ and can be booked via rsvn@sofitelmacau.com or visit www.sofitel.com

Sofitel: re-inventing French elegance in luxury hotels

Sofitel creates unique luxury hotels in the world's most attractive destinations, by the artful blending of its French origins with the very best of local cultures. Sofitel forges a privileged bond between its staff of devoted service professionals and its cosmopolitan guests who expect and appreciate beauty, quality and excellence. Sofitel offers the best of French elegance, from food and wine rituals to bedding, design and personal care products. Hotels where life can be savored, shared with others, lived in harmony with oneself;
transforming every stay into a unique and unforgettable experience.

The Sofitel brand portfolio will offer clear and attractive options adapted to today's more demanding and more versatile consumers.

Sofitel Legend: a collection of legendary luxury properties, defining a renewed way of living heritage and palace hotels for inner luxury driven travellers.

Sofitel: World-class hotels, with French elegance, blending relationships and pleasures for today's discerning travellers in the upper-upscale segment.

So by Sofitel: a new kind of boutique hotel, with style and soul, reconciling design and pleasure for trend conscious consumers.

Discover Sofitel's new website www.sofitel.com with new reservation features.

CONTACT INFORMATION

• Phyllis Sio
  Marketing Communications Manager
  Sofitel Macau At Ponte 16
  Rua do Visconde Paço de Arcos, Macau SAR
  Direct Line +(853) 8861 7116
  Email marcommngr@sofitelmacau.com

Technorati Tags:
Sofitel Macau | New Opening

Wanning, China (August 13, 2008) /China Newswire/ — Le Meridien Shimei Bay Beach Resort & Spa is located in the Shimei Bay Resort District, southeast of Wanning City, Hainan Island, China. Shimei Bay is developed by China Resources Pte Ltd, Le Meridien Shimei Bay Beach Resort and Spa is the first of 6 high end hotels to be built on this integrated complex. The project is scheduled to be completed by 2017.

With 6 kilometers of white sandy beaches, dipterocarpceace forest and surrounded by the tranquil nature, Le Meridien Shimei Bay Beach Resort and Spa is the perfect getaway! The hotel consists of 275 guestrooms including 25 spectacular villas with amazing views. The state of the art 1,071sqm Presidential Villa is with two dining rooms, a fitness centre, a swimming pool and a few meters away from the pristine blue waters of the South China Sea.

The Resort also consists of 6 restaurants and bars, a fully equipped fitness centre, a Spa with indoor and outdoor cabanas, Penguin kids club and a wide range of water sport activities. There are also a number of stunning golf courses surrounding the resort for either a morning or afternoon tee off.

The hotel has 5 meeting rooms and a Grand ballroom for a variety of events ranging from small to medium sized conferences to tailor made MICE events.

Le Meridien Shimei Bay Beach Resort & Spa is scheduled to open in September 2008.

Le Meridien
Le Meridien brand, currently represented by approximately 113 properties in 50 countries, was acquired by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. in November 2005. With close to 80 percent of its properties located in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Le Meridien provides a strong international complement to Starwood’s primarily North American holdings. Plans call for dynamic expansion of Le Meridien-branded hotels and resorts within the next five years, concentrating in the U.S., Latin America, and Asia-Pacific, including destinations such as India, Thailand and China.

Le Meridien is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 900 properties in more than 100 countries and 155,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, Sheraton®, Westin®, Four Points® by Sheraton, W®, Le Meridien®, and the recently launched aloftSM, and elementSM. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com and www.starwoodpressclub.com.

CONTACT INFORMATION

• Shirley Zhang
  Marketing Communications Manager
  Tel: 86 898 6252 8888
  Fax: 86 898 6252 8999
  E-mail: shirley2.zhang@lemeridien.com

Technorati Tags:
Le Meridien Shimei Bay Beach Resort & Spa | New Opening

Hong Kong, China (August 13, 2008) /China Newswire/ — Hong Kong's luxury hotel category is to be redefined with the opening of Harbour Grand Hong Kong, Harbour Plaza Hotels & Resorts' new five-star hotel, in spring 2009.

This newly built splendid hotel represents Harbour Plaza Hotels & Resorts' first finest luxury category, an entirely innovative concept in the arena of luxury hospitality. The Harbour Grand category offers exceptional accommodation, impeccable service and unsurpassed hospitality for business and leisure travellers with the most discerning tastes.

Harbour Grand Hong Kong is ideally located in the heart of Hong Kong Island and enjoys unobstructed views of the world's renowned beautiful Victoria Harbour, Kowloon peninsular skyline and Central district of Hong Kong. Offering first-class services, this magnificent property is set to reshape the landscape of deluxe hospitality in the region.

Announcing the opening of Harbour Grand in spring next year, Group Managing Director of Harbour Plaza Hotels & Resorts Mr Raymond Chow said Harbour Grand Hong Kong would further strengthen the hotel group's hotel portfolio.

"The opening of Harbour Grand Hong Kong in spring next year is opportune as Hong Kong sees a quantum growth of visitors in recent years, both business and individual travellers," Mr Chow said.

The newly developed prestigious 41-storey hotel boasts a total of 828 elegantly designed guest rooms and suites, 12,685-square-foot of meeting and banquet facilities, and five restaurants and bars featuring culinary excellence of world-famed cuisines, all meticulously fashioned to provide refined accommodation, facilities and amenities for the most elite of business and leisure travellers.

Designed with the balance of sophistication and modern simplicity, the guest rooms are the combination of latest technology and distinctive comfort, with all featuring LCD TVs, wired and wireless broadband Internet access, DVD players and bathrooms with rainforest showerheads and oversized bathtubs.

Perfectly situated in the midst of fashionable shopping centres and commercial offices in Causeway Bay, Wanchai and Central, Harbour Grand Hong Kong is also within walking distance to the convenient underground transportation system. Hotel shuttle services are regularly scheduled to take guests to major local destinations, making it an ease to go around the town.

"Harbour Grand Hong Kong will be a stunning addition to the city's skyline. Its modern sensibility and stylish flair craft an exceptional experience. It redefines luxury hospitality.

"It is exceptional, for the exceptionals," Mr Chow said.

Harbour Grand Hong Kong is the latest addition to Hutchison Whampoa's hotel group, which manages seven properties in Hong Kong, namely, Harbour Plaza Hong Kong, Harbour Plaza Metropolis, Harbour Plaza North Point, The Kowloon Hotel, Harbour Plaza Resort City, Rambler Oasis Hotel, Rambler Garden Hotel, as well as Harbour Plaza Chongqing in Mainland China and the Our Lucaya resort in the Bahamas.

Guests staying on the Executive Floors also have access to the exclusive Harbour Club Lounge, where they can enjoy daily complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea and evening cocktail and personalised butler services. Designed to allure the most demanding travellers, private outdoor heated Jacuzzi is available in some of the 231 suites. To cater for the long staying guests, 85 of the suites are fitted with modern pantries.

Occupying over 6,200 square feet of meeting and banquet space, the pillarless Grand Ballroom is proud to possess a ceiling height of over 19 feet, exuding the grandeur of its class. Eight function rooms from 450 to 1,050 square feet offer the flexibility for a variety of events. All are fully equipped with the latest audio-visual technology and wired / wireless Internet connectivity.

A variety of authentic cuisines ranging from international and continental to Japanese and Chinese will be provided in the hotel's five restaurants and bars. The Sky Lounge located on the top floor will offer guests a breathtaking sanctuary with sweeping views across Hong Kong.

Other revitalising facilities offered by the hotel include an outdoor heated swimming pool and Jacuzzi, a state-of-the-art fitness centre with the latest equipment, and spa and massage facilities featuring traditional and innovative treatments that rejuvenate the body and soul of guests on the road.

Mr Benedict Chow, currently General Manager of Harbour Plaza North Point, is appointed General Manager of Harbour Grand Hong Kong.

About Harbour Plaza Hotels & Resorts
Harbour Plaza Hotels & Resorts is jointly owned by Hutchison Whampoa Limited and Cheung Kong (Holdings) Limited, and managed as part of the Hutchison Property division. Hutchison Whampoa and Cheung Kong (Holdings) are part of the Li Ka-shing group of companies. Harbour Plaza Hotels & Resorts also manage seven hotels in Hong Kong, namely Harbour Plaza Hong Kong, Harbour Plaza Metropolis, The Kowloon Hotel, Harbour Plaza North Point, Harbour Plaza Resort City, Rambler Oasis Hotel, Rambler Garden Hotel, as well as Harbour Plaza Chongqing in mainland China and the Our Lucaya resort in the Bahamas.

CONTACT INFORMATION

• Mr Benedict Chow, General Manager
  Harbour Grand Hong Kong (Pre-opening Office)
  Tel: (852) 2123-1888
  Fax: (852) 2123-1810
  Email: benedictc@harbour-grand.com

Technorati Tags:
Harbour Plaza Hotels & Resorts | New Opening

New York, U.S. (August 4, 2008) /China Newswire/ — Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) marks a milestone in its aggressive growth in Greater China announcing its 100th hotel there, with the signing of the Sheraton Beijing Dongcheng Hotel. As the first international hotel chain to enter China when the historic Great Wall Beijing Sheraton Hotel opened in 1985, Starwood today is the largest international upscale hotel company in China and continues to grow its footprint there with the expansion of its brands including Sheraton, Westin, Le Meridien, St. Regis, Luxury Collection, aloft, Four Points by Sheraton and W hotels in established and emerging cities as well as resort destinations.

"With strong domestic demand, an increasing affinity for global brands and international inbound travel on the rise, our opportunity in China is perhaps unsurpassed anywhere in the world," said Simon Turner, President, Global Development for Starwood Hotels & Resorts. "What's more, by 2020, China will generate over 100 million outbound trips a year, more than triple its current output, making it one of the largest origins of outbound travel in the world. As the Chinese travel abroad, they look for brands they know, and therefore Starwood's development in China today, has significant implications for our hotels worldwide."

A dominant player in the upper-upscale and luxury hotel market in China, Starwood is poised to grow in other segments as well, and the company will debut its new select service brand, aloft, in China this September with the opening of the aloft Beijing, Haidian. Designed with the DNA of W Hotels, aloft targets younger, style-conscious consumers.

"We expect healthy expansion as we launch aloft throughout China and continue to expand our established upper upscale and luxury brands in various Chinese cities where we are currently under penetrated," commented Miguel Ko, President of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Asia Pacific. "Starwood continues to win many new hotel projects in China and this is largely due to the confidence the development community has in our lifestyle brands, noted innovations and consistently strong delivery of results in the region."

Starwood continues to grow aggressively throughout Asia Pacific, with over 80 hotels under construction. China continues to fuel growth in the region, and more than half of Starwood's pipeline in Asia Pacific is in Greater China, where the company expects to double its portfolio by 2011. In addition to the 43 hotels Starwood currently operates in China, Starwood has 57 new properties scheduled to open. These include 22 Sheratons, 12 Four Points by Sheratons, eight Westins, five W hotels, four St Regis, three Le Meridien hotels, two aloft hotels and one Luxury Collection hotel.

Globally, Starwood will mark a milestone this year with the opening of its 900th hotel, and expects to increase its portfolio by 50% over the next five years, driven by aggressive global expansion across all its brands and the unprecedented growth of its two new brands, aloft and Element which launched earlier this year. Starwood's global pipeline includes 500 hotels and 120,000 rooms. Approximately half of Starwood's new hotels are expected to open outside of North America, reflecting the company's impressive growth in dynamic international markets.

Sheraton Beijing Dongcheng Hotel (www.sheraton.com/beijingdongcheng ) will feature 470 rooms, approximately 36,000 square feet of meeting space, 3 restaurants and bar, a health club, spa and indoor heated swimming pool. The hotel is part of the final phase of the Global Trade Center (GTC) mixed-use complex development. The complex comprises offices, retail shops, condominium, serviced apartments, and the hotel. Located in Dongcheng District, Sheraton Beijing Dongcheng Hotel is located in the heart of Beijing transportation network near the Third Ring Road, and within close proximity to the 2008 Olympics venue, business and financial districts as well as Tiananmen Square. In addition to Sheraton Beijing Dongcheng Hotel, Starwood currently has 2 hotels under construction in Beijing : aloft Beijing Haidian and Four Points by Sheraton Beijing, Haidian; as well as 4 hotels in operation : Great Wall Sheraton Beijing, The Westin Beijing, Financial Street, The Westin Beijing, Chaoyang and St Regis Beijing.

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 900 properties in more than 100 countries and 155,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, and the recently launched AloftSM, and Element SM. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.

CONTACT INFORMATION

• Hwee Peng Yeo
  Director, Corporate Communications, Asia Pacific
  Tel: (65) 6335 4837
  Fax: (65) 6335 4820
  Email: hweepeng.yeo@starwoodhotels.com

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