Continuing a tradition of gracious hospitality established by the Langham Hotel, London one hundred and forty years ago, the new Langham Hotels in Melbourne and Auckland will continue the Langham legend by offering elegance and innovation, attentive and friendly service.

The highly selective The Leading Hotels of the World accreditation is a recognition of the fine service and luxury surroundings offered to guests of Sheraton Towers Southgate (to be rebranded the Langham Hotel, Melbourne on 1 January 2005) and the Sheraton Auckland Hotel & Towers (to be rebranded the Langham Hotel, Auckland), from 1 January 2005.

“Being part of the The Leading Hotels of the World is a “seal of approval” representing to world travellers that these hotels are the very best in the markets they operate. Moreover, it is a guarantee that the hotels offer the highest standards of services and facilities in which to develop memorable experiences,” said Brett Butcher, Senior Vice President - Sales and Marketing, Langham Hotels International, announcing the alliance.

The Leading Hotels of the World represents 420 hotels in 83 countries. It is supported by a network of regional sales and marketing offices in key cities, a global reservation system and strategic marketing alliances with other deluxe travel brands and offers a refined base of discerning consumers. To become its member, a hotel must meet exacting standards of excellence in all areas, and must undergo a rigorous inspection process.

The Langham Hotel, Melbourne (1 January 2005) offers iconic city views from its setting on the Southbank Promenade. Overlooking the tranquil Yarra River across to the drama of Federation Square, it is in the heart of the City’s leading al fresco café, restaurants and shopping precinct. The National Gallery of Victoria, the Performing Arts Centre and the Casino are on its doorstep. In 2003, The Hotel was ranked in the top 10 of “The World’s Best Hotels” by the prestigious US travel magazine, Travel & Leisure.

The Langham Hotel, Auckland (1 January 2005) is situated in the vibrant heart of New Zealand's largest city. The Hotel is within walking distance of the spectacular waterfront. The beautiful Auckland City Domain, an extensive oasis of parks and gardens and the Auckland museum are nestled nearby. The Auckland Hotel has been a three-time winner of New Zealand’s “Best Hotel in Tourism Awards”, accorded by the New Zealand Tourism Industry Association in 1998, 2000 and 2001.

“We are thrilled to have the partnership with “The Leading Hotels of the World” as we rebrand these very fine properties to Langham, one of the world’s most vibrant and fastest growing luxury Hotel companies soon to be operating on four continents” said Butcher.



Background Note:
Langham Hotels International is a dynamic, modern hospitality ownership and management company which operates a number of luxury hotels and furnished apartment properties in prime locations within Hong Kong and overseas.

Its parent company is the publicly listed Great Eagle Holdings Limited (HKSE: 41), which was founded in 1963 and was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 1972.

The Great Eagle Group is one of Hong Kong’s leading property and hotel companies. Headquartered in Hong Kong, the Group develops, invests in and manages high quality office, retail, residential and hotel properties in Hong Kong, North America and Europe. Its core commercial properties comprise 1.6 million square feet of Grade-A office space in the prime commercial districts of Hong Kong. It is also developing a 1.8 million square feet office, retail and hotel complex in the prime shopping district of Mongkok, Kowloon. The Group’s extensive international hotel portfolio currently comprises seven luxury properties in six gateway cities with over 4,000 rooms.

Hotel properties owned, managed and operated by Langham Hotels International include its London flagship, the 429-room Langham Hotel, London, the 325-room Langham Hotel, Boston, the 488-room Langham Hotel, Hong Kong, the all new 665-room five-star Langham Place Hotel, Mongkok, Hong Kong (opened in July 2004), the 387-room Langham Hotel, Melbourne in Australia, the 410-room Langham Hotel, Auckland in New Zealand, the 1,590-room Four Diamond rated Delta Chelsea Hotel, Toronto in Canada, and the 468-room superior Eaton Hotel Hong Kong.

Langham Hotels International has three properties in the prestigious ”Leading Hotels of the World” family, namely, the Langham Hotel, London, the Langham Hotel, Boston and the Langham Hotel, Hong Kong. The two luxury hotels in Melbourne and Auckland will be rebranded under the Langham flag in January 2005.

Its Hong Kong portfolio also comprises three Eaton House furnished apartment buildings and two Yat Tung Heen Chinese Restaurants.


INTRODUCING LANGHAM HOTEL, AUCKLAND FROM 1 JANUARY 2005

	Langham Hotel, Auckland is located in the heart of Auckland City, handy to downtown, the waterfront, shopping and entertainment areas and motorways
	Over the years the property has been recognised and rewarded three times as “Best Hotel” in national tourism awards and has won numerous awards for culinary and hospitality excellence
	Our signature restaurant, Partington’s, won a Gold medal for service and Silver in the hotly contested Restaurant of the Year at the prestigious New Zealand Culinary Fair competition in 2004
	The hotel was the first in New Zealand to receive the Green Globe environmental accreditation and also carries ISO9002 accreditation
	Langham Privilege Club, our loyalty and reward programme, to recognise guest loyalty with exclusive and personalised benefits
	Member of Langham Hotels International with luxury properties in Hong Kong, London, Boston, Toronto and Melbourne
	Langham Hotel, Auckland… at a glance • 410 rooms • 70-room boutique experience Langham Hotel Club, with butler service • 12 luxury suites include the Royal, Governor’s, Executive and Park Suites • Business services available • Broadband internet connections in all rooms • Health club and modern gym equipment, heated outdoor pool, jacuzzi and male/female saunas • Partington’s restaurant for the best of fresh New Zealand cuisine and wine. A private dining room is available • Winery to relax and unwind, listen to music, enjoy a Langham afternoon tea • SBF Brasserie for 24-hour dining and sumptuous buffet meals as well as an à la carte menu • SPE, our casual bar and home made pizza restaurant • Full facilities for meetings, banquets and large gala dinners and balls (15 function rooms)

Langham Hotel, Auckland
83 Symonds Street, PO Box 2771
Auckland 1, New Zealand
Tel: (64 9) 379 5132 Fax: (64 9) 302 9991
Toll free within New Zealand 0800 616261
Toll free within Australia 1800 616261
Email: 4akl.resv@langhamhotels.com4

INTRODUCING LANGHAM HOTEL, MELBOURNE FROM 1 JANUARY 2005

	Langham Hotel, Melbourne is located in the heart of Melbourne’s Southbank, the centre of Melbourne’s cultural, entertainment and shopping precinct and a few minutes walk to the CBD
	Since the hotel opened it has continued to win prestigious awards for culinary and hospitality excellence
	Our multi-award winning Melba Brasserie offers an elegant dining experience punctuated with spectacular riverbank and city skyline views across to the drama of Federation Square
	Langham Privilege Club, our loyalty and reward programme, to recognise guest loyalty with exclusive and personalised benefits
	Member of Langham Hotel International with luxury properties in Hong Kong, London, Boston, Toronto and Auckland
	Langham Hotel, Melbourne… at a glance • 387 rooms • Meeting and banqueting facilities for up to 360 guests • A Privilege Club with concierge service • Executive Club floors with executive breakfast and cocktails • An International Business Centre • Health club and luxury well–being day spa, Chuan Spa • The latest cardio–gym equipment, heated indoor pool, jacuzzi and male/female saunas • Tisane Lounge – an elegant meeting place offering music, traditional Langham afternoon tea or cocktails • Melba Brasserie for 24-hour dining and sumptuous buffet meals as well as an à la carte menu • Full facilities for meetings, banquets and large gala dinners and balls

Langham Hotel, Melbourne
One Southgate Avenue, Southbank
Melbourne, Victoria 3006, Australia
Tel: (61 3) 8696 8888 Fax: (61 3) 8696 8110
Toll free within Australia 1800 858662
Toll free within New Zealand 0800 858662
Email: mel.resv@langhamhotels.com


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For media enquiries, please contact:

Iris Wong
Director of Corporate Communications
Langham Hotels International
Tel: (852) 3552 3333
Fax: (852) 3552 3239
Email: iris.wong@langhamhotels.com

Jane Jose
Director
Jane Jose Business Communication
Tel: (61 9) 326 9504
Mobile: (61) 41 501 720
Email: contact@janejosebizcom.com

Susan Robinson-Derus
Director
Robinson-Derus Associates
Tel: (64 9) 630 5406
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Email: susan@robinson-derus.co.nz