July 11, 2008

Langham Hotels International (LHI) has signed a new management agreement which takes Langham Place, a sister brand of The Langham, outside Asia. The luxury hotel operator will manage the five-star boutique Vineyard Resort + Spa on behalf of Isola Estate on Waiheke Island, an exclusive enclave 30 minutes off the coast of Auckland, New Zealand, which will open in 2012.

The resort will nestle amongst the 26 award-winning vineyards of Waiheke Island including its own, forming the basis of a paradise for travellers and meeting planners seeking a gastronomic and wine lover's experience. The management agreement with Isola Estate marks the sixth Langham Place branded property in the world.

Langham Place Vineyard Resort + Spa, Waiheke Island, Auckland is designed by one of New Zealand's leading hotel architects, CDA Architecture. The boutique resort will feature modern Tuscan-style characteristics and showcase 78 contemporary condominium-style rooms and suites, a Chuan Spa, state-of-the-art gym, tennis courts, a premium quality restaurant as well as extensive meeting and banquet facilities for up to 300 people.M

The island resort experience will include an interactive wine theatre which will form the heart of the special events showcase for conferences, meetings, incentive groups, banquets and wine tours.

Langham Place Vineyard Resort + Spa, Waiheke Island is just 8 minutes by helicopter and 30 minutes by ferry from downtown Auckland.

Dr. KS Lo, Chairman of Langham Hotels International said: "The Langham brand is well-established in Auckland with an enchanting property in the heart of the city. We’re pleased to be introducing its vibrant sibling brand, Langham Place to New Zealand, offering a stimulating and adventurous choice for the region."

"Langham Place will help to open up new global luxury travel markets when it opens with its exciting blend of inspiring hospitality. Waiheke Island will capture imaginations with an incredible aerial arrival experience that will be matched only by its vineyards and facilities," he added.

Brent Gibson, Managing Director of Isola Estate anticipates that a new level to New Zealand’s luxury wine tourism market will be created. He said: "Langham Place Vineyard Resort + Spa, Waiheke Island will be the Martha's Vineyard of the South Pacific. The resort will create a new dynamism to the economy of Waiheke Island – building a five star boutique, wine-based hospitality business."

"When the resort is completed, it will create a buzz with meeting planners looking for new ideas in New Zealand and the South Pacific by adding new facilities to the Auckland scene."

"Langham Hotels International's operation of Isola Estate will ensure that the hotel achieves maximum exposure to the international market, and that it has the impeccable service standard for which Langham properties are world-renowned; Isola Estate is being developed in a sustainable, controlled manner which fits with the landscape visually and ensures that the clean, green qualities for which Waiheke Island – and New Zealand – are known, protected and preserved," he concluded.

Langham Hotels International is the subsidiary of the Hong Kong-based Great Eagle Holdings, spearheaded by Dr. KS Lo, who is also the Chairman and Managing Director of Great Eagle Holdings. Spanning four continents, the group currently features 15 properties either open or under construction, with over 5,000 rooms in 11 cities, namely Auckland, Beijing, Boston, Changchun, Hong Kong, Koh Lanta, London, Melbourne, Pasadena, Shanghai and Toronto.

Langham has a legendary hotel heritage dating back to 1865 when The Langham in London originally opened as Europe’s first Grand Hotel. Over 140 years, this flagship hotel has been at the forefront of sophisticated and gracious hospitality. Today, all Langham Hotels worldwide inherit the same philosophy that reflects elegance in design, innovation in hospitality, genuine service and captivation of the senses creating a truly unique hotel experience.

The group is presently pursuing an aggressive portfolio growth strategy using its distinctive brands – The Langham, Langham Place and Eaton. Currently, 15 hotels are open or in the pipeline in the Langham Hotels International portfolio.

Six hotels on four continents are branded The Langham where guests can enjoy service with poise. Be enchanted by our innovation and traditions in Auckland, Boston, Hong Kong, London, Melbourne and Pasadena. The Langham, Yangtze Boutique, Shanghai is due to open at the end of 2008.

Langham Place, the fun sibling of The Langham, is the epitome of stimulating and artistic hospitality. Two Langham Places are open - Hong Kong and Koh Lanta, Thailand. Three new Langham Places are scheduled to open in 2008/9 in Beijing (2) and Changchun. Langham Place Vineyard Resort + Spa, Waiheke Island will open in 2011.

Eaton is a premium four star property that aims to surprise and delight our guests with a value-for-money proposition, delivering an affordable yet stylish, modern level of comfort and spirited, can-do service.

Langham Hotels International is a wholly-owned company of Great Eagle Holdings (Stock Code: 0041) which was founded in 1963 and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 1972.

Reservations for Langham hotels can be made by logging onto langhamhotels.com.

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