Conrad Hotels & Resorts to open its first resort in Europe

The contemporary luxury hotel brand, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, is set to open its first resort hotel in Europe after announcing the signing of a management agreement with Grupo IMOCOM for a Conrad in the Algarve, Portugal, near to the renowned Quinta Do Lago resort. Located in one of the most exclusive resort developments on the Algarve, the Conrad hotel will feature approximately 158 guest rooms and suites designed to reflect a contemporary Portuguese style. The hotel, situated in a prime seven hectare mixed development site approximately 10km from Faro International Airport, will enjoy a key position close to some of the world’s most famous golf courses when it opens in 2010.

The hotel will be set amongst extensive landscaped gardens and terraces, featuring several swimming pools and lakes, and guests will be able to enjoy a luxurious 1500 square metre spa and health club. The hotel will feature a selection of restaurants offering some of the best Portuguese and international cuisine, together with a stylish wine and cocktail bar with an alfresco terrace.

The Conrad will also cater for exclusive meetings and events, with over 1,400 square metres of dedicated space. Facilities will include a selection of fully equipped Conrad meeting rooms, a 24-hour business centre, as well as a large ballroom with access to private gardens.

With the addition of this new Conrad, Hilton Hotels Corporation (HHC) will now offer two resorts on the Algarve, following the recent opening of the Hilton Vilamoura As Cascatas Golf Resort & Spa in July. This latest announcement further consolidates the strong growth of the Hilton Family of Hotels across Europe, and also strengthens HHC’s partnership with Grupo IMOCOM, the owners of the Vilamoura resort.

Commenting on the signing Wolfgang M. Neumann, Area President of HHC - Europe, said: “The Iberian Peninsula is one of our key growth markets where we have expanded from one hotel in 1990 to five today – three of which opened this year alone. By 2010 we expect to be operating eight properties across this region and continue to see significant potential for further expansion. Following the successful opening of the Hilton Vilamoura As Cascatas Golf Resort & Spa this summer, we are delighted to be partnering with Grupo IMOCOM once again to launch our prestigious Conrad brand in the Iberian Peninsula.”

Neumann continued: “Tourism in the region is set to grow from €5 billion today to over €7billion over the next seven years, and we believe that our new Conrad will cater for the significant demand for luxury accommodation in this destination.”

Richard Blamey, Senior Vice President Brand Management, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, added: “This hotel will be a wonderful addition to Conrad's international portfolio when it opens in 2010 and will be the first Conrad resort in Europe. It will complement our other resorts including the Conrad Bali Resort & Spa and the forthcoming Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, which joins Conrad Hotels & Resorts in December 2007. Other exciting projects under development include Shanghai, Koh Samui, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, the Bahamas and Buenos Aires.”

This year Hilton Hotels Corporation has opened three new properties in the Iberian Peninsula including the Hilton Buenevista Toledo and Hilton Valencia in Spain and the Hilton Vilamoura As Cascatas Golf Resort & Spa in Portugal. The opening of this new hotel in Portugal will bring Conrad’s European portfolio to five, with other Conrad hotels located in Brussels, Istanbul and both Dublin and Kilkenny in Ireland.

- Ends -

PR contact:
Oshy Phillips
Brand PR/Communications Manager
Conrad Hotels & Resorts
Maple Court
Reeds Crescent
Watford
WD24 4QQ
UK
+44 (0)20 7856 8261

About Conrad Hotels & Resorts
Conrad Hotels & Resorts is the contemporary luxury brand of the Hilton Family of Hotels, with 17 hotels and resorts in key destinations across the globe. Conrad offers unique and personalised services for the discerning traveller, creating a world that celebrates individuality in every sense. Another seven Conrad projects are under development and conversion in the Bahamas, South America, the UAE, Thailand, the Maldives and China.

***********************************