Langham Hospitality Group is introducing a new upscale global hotel brand: Cordis Hotels and Resorts. Essentially a new generation of curated hotels devoted to the guests' needs and well-being, Cordis aptly derives its name from the Latin term meaning "heart." The holistic concept focuses on the core pillars of intuitive service, connectivity, sophistication and a sense of community. Introducing the brand, Langham Hospitality Group Chief Executive Officer Robert Warman said: "Building on the successes of Langham Hotels and Resorts, we saw the need to create a collection of international upscale hotels and resorts that will deliver what our guests desire: personalized and efficient services, seamless technology, and authentic experiences in the best locations around the world." "Each Cordis hotel will be individual in style, architecture and design, all of which will be reflective of its location and culture, and tailored to the requirements of our guests, from the corporate travellers to honeymooners to multi-generational families. For example, Cordis Hong Kong, due to welcome its first guests in May 2015, is vibrant, modern, and will feature family-friendly facilities and amenities that will complement its bustling neighbourhood." He continues, "Ultimately, it's all about the devotion to our guests' wellbeing during their stay with us. That will be interpreted through our service values and special offerings such as expansive meeting facilities, exciting restaurant social concepts, comprehensive kids' programs, and tailored neighbourhood excursions." The Cordis portfolio will include new built designs, resorts and contemporary residences. According to Warman, the brand will be developed through a combination of new-build and conversion projects in key cities in Asia and North America, with the first hotel expected to fly the Cordis flag this year in Hong Kong. Cordis has already signed management agreements and letters of intent to open eight hotels in seven cities within the next three years; apart from the Hong Kong hotel, the portfolio will include five hotels in China, and one each in Bali (Indonesia,) Colombo (Sri Lanka.) Other cities targeted for future Cordis hotels include London, New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Orlando, San Francisco, Dubai, Singapore, and Bangkok. "We are very optimistic about the growth of this particular brand," said Warman. "As there are financial, cost-efficient benefits to developing hotels in the upscale tier, the time is right for us to enter high density markets such as North America and especially in China where there is a rising middle class, increasing domestic and international travel, and higher consumption levels. We see Cordis as complimentary to our existing portfolio and a real opportunity to have multiple properties in new markets in the coming years."