Starwood Hotels & Resorts Announces the Opening of the St. Regis Shanghai - The Finest Luxury Hotel In Shanghai Expands An Exclusive New Brand In Asia

The opening of The St. Regis Shanghai follows the rebranding and upgrading of the acclaimed Beijing International Club, the unrivalled leading hotel in the Chinese capital, to The St. Regis Beijing in March 2000. The presence of these two exclusive hotels in the two key cities of mainland China marks a major new milestone in the hospitality standards now on offer to travelers in this important destination.

St. Regis is the newly created luxury brand of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, and takes its name from the internationally-acclaimed St. Regis Hotel in New York City, the legendary flagship hotel that has defined Old World luxury for almost a century. But the new St. Regis brand goes further, combining that same Old World luxury with New World chic. The result is a group of hotels of incomparable elegance, exceptional service and world-class facilities... modern hotels that are a contemporary reinterpretation of the standards and values of the classic grand hotels of the past.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts has teamed up to manage The St. Regis Shanghai with the owner and developer, Shanghai HongTa Hotel Co. Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Yunnan HongTa Group. One of the largest conglomerates in China, Yunnan HongTa Group has diversified interests with invisible earnings totaling approximately RMB35.3 billion (approximately US$4.3 billion).

"China's burgeoning economy has led to a strong growth in the number of business travelers who demand high-quality, luxury accommodations, especially in new commercial areas like Pudong. We have invested RMB800 million (approximately US$97 million) in The St. Regis Shanghai, which is the first international luxury hotel, designed to operate to five-star standards, to open in Shanghai in the 21st century. It will be our contribution to the development of Pudong's international financial center and our group's showcase to the world," said Liu Hui Jiang, Director and General Manager of Shanghai HongTa Hotel Co. Ltd.

"It's just a few short years since the first international joint venture hotels opened in China, and we have truly come a long way since then. I believe that The St. Regis Shanghai marks a new phase in service standards in China, where we are now able to offer a truly world-class hospitality experience to the discerning traveler," said St. Regis Shanghai General Manager Cary Gray.

Every St. Regis hotel is created to be the best in each city in which it operates, and The St. Regis Shanghai is no exception. Located in the heart of the newly-emerging business district of Pudong, the 40-story property features 318 deluxe guestrooms, including 48 exquisite suites. The stylish rooms, designed by the leading international hotel interiors specialist Hirsch Bedner & Associates, are the largest in Shanghai, with each standard room measuring approximately 516 square feet.

All are equipped with state-of-the-art luxurious furnishings and amenities, ranging from custom-designed mattresses and Herman Miller "Aeron" chairs to BOSE CD Wave Radios and "Rainforest" massage showers.

One of the most impressive qualities of the hotel is the renowned St. Regis Butler Service, offering unparalleled round-the-clock personal attention for every guest. Trained in the English tradition, the butlers provide ever-present yet unobtrusive service while anticipating guests' needs and customizing each guest's stay according to his or her specific tastes and preferences.

"It is this unparalleled level of personal service, unprecedented in mainland China, which really mark the St. Regis hotels apart from their competitors," said Cary Gray, General Manager of The St. Regis Shanghai.

The Unique St. Regis Brand - A Legacy Of Elegance, Service And Style

The hallmark of every St. Regis hotel is that each guest enjoys an incredibly personalized and pampered experience. The unique St. Regis brand reflects a relaxed and timeless elegance. It is defined by extraordinary luxury and outstanding service. Each hotel offers round-the-clock Butler service anticipating guests' every need, excellent restaurants that stand on their own, and exceptional function facilities, making every St. Regis the perfect setting for the most prestigious events.

Colonel John Jacob Astor built the original St. Regis in New York City in 1904. His mission was to bring the feeling of Old World charm, service and hospitality to the New World. This legendary hotel is consistently ranked as one of the world's finest. Today, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts also includes properties in Washington, D.C., Houston, Los Angeles, Aspen, Monarch Beach, Rome and Beijing. In the next 5 years, more St. Regis hotels will open in other key gateway cities in Asia Pacific, such as Kuala Lumpur.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. HOT is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 725 properties in 80 countries and 120,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. With internationally renowned brands, Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchiser of hotels and resorts including: St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Sheraton, Westin, Four Points by Sheraton, W brands, as well as 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.

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