Regent Hotels & Resorts Marks Another First

FORT LAUDERDALE -- Regent Hotels & Resorts, www.RegentHotels.com, is pleased to announce that The Regent Esplanade Zagreb is the first hotel in Croatia to receive the prestigious International Star Diamond Award. Each year, the American Academy of Hospitality Services bestows the award on five-star establishments deemed to be of pinnacle quality by its Board of Trustees. The coveted award recognizes a commitment to excellence in luxury hospitality, including ambiance, gastronomy, attitude, décor and exceptional service.

The president of the American Academy of Hospitality Services, Mr. Joseph D. Cinque, presented the prestigious award to Mr. Jorgen Jorgensen, General Manager of The Regent Esplanade Zagreb, on May 31, 2007 at New York’s noted Le Cinque restaurant. Croatia’s Miss Universe attended the official ceremony as a representative for her country.

The Regent Esplanade Zagreb, a five-star luxury hotel, is housed in one of the city’s most distinguished Art Nouveau buildings. Since its opening in 1925, The Regent Esplanade Zagreb has provided hospitality to the most discerning guests—from presidents and politicians, to film and music celebrities. The hotel combines impeccable service and contemporary amenities with elegant architecture and décor.

The hotel houses 209 lavishly furnished rooms and suites, featuring amenities such as Regent’s signature luxury bathrooms. There are five lounge and dining areas, including the Esplanade 1925 Lounge and Cocktail Bar; Le Bistro, reflecting the Parisian bistros from the Art Nouveau and Art Deco periods; Zinfandel’s Restaurant, a fine cuisine establishment that blends local and Mediterranean flavors with tastes from around the world; and the magnificent Oleander Terrace, which boasts a breathtaking view of the Ante Starcevic Square with its fountain and the surrounding Art Nouveau buildings. In addition, the hotel’s elegant Emerald Ballroom, with its soaring, dome-shaped roof, offers seating for 300 guests. Hotel services include a health center, business center and concierge service.

The Academy's International Star Diamond Award is the only award program that recognizes excellence on a global level and is the only of its kind to be recognized by the Peoples Republic of China. The American Academy, based in New York City, is directed by Mr. Joseph Cinque and governed by an International Board of Trustees who are themselves leaders in the hospitality industry. The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences was formed in 1989 as an offspring of a restaurant-rating bureau, founded in 1949, www.stardiamondaward.com.

Regent, a global leader in luxury hospitality, is currently expanding its worldwide hotel and resort properties from seven in 2007, to 15 properties in 2010. Regent Hotels & Resorts has a portfolio of luxury hotels and resorts strategically located in key cities and resort areas, with ongoing expansion into some of the most vital and desirable locations, from its recently opened five-star hotel in Beijing, to upcoming properties in the Republic of Maldives and the United Arab Emirates.