News From Orient-Express

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. October 14, 2008

NEW YORK, NY, February 22, 2006. 2005 saw three new hotels in the Orient-Express Hotels, Trains & Cruises portfolio: the magnificent 301-room Grand Hotel Europe in St Petersburg, Hotel Caruso in Ravello, its fourth hotel in Italy, and Pansea Orient-Express Hotels' Ubud Hanging Gardens in Bali, Indonesia.

2006 promises to be equally exciting, with new developments such as:

. A three-month refurbishment program at Reid's Palace in Madeira from January 16, including the renovation of 69 rooms and creation of a new spa

. The opening of the first spa in Laos at La R'esidence Phou Vao, Luang Prabang

. Russia's first Ice Bar and the renovation of 120 rooms at the Grand Hotel Europe in St Petersburg

. The introduction of private poolside cabanas at the Hotel Cipriani in Venice

. Eight new suites at La Residencia in Mallorca

. Seven new rooms at Hotel Caruso in Ravello

. Honeymoon tents at Khwai River Lodge in Botswana

. A new suite at Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons: Lemongrass

Visitors to the Grand Hotel Europe in St Petersburg can experience the city's first open air Ice Bar, located on the pavement terrace of Sadko's restaurant on Nevsky Prospekt, where waiters dressed in traditional fur hats, jackets and gloves will serve authentic Russian specialties such as caviar, vodka and champagne. Subject to weather conditions, the bar will be open until April 2006. The landmark hotel has begun refurbishment of 120 rooms due for completion in May 2006. French designer Michel Jouannet has focused on making the rooms intimate, while making the long hallways warmer with richer colored d'ecor and lighting that reflects the atmosphere of a private aristocratic residence. Other enhancements to the rooms include new hypoallergenic beds, pop-up flat screen television sets, large comfortable armchairs with Russian style upholstery and curtains with original framed etchings of views of St Petersburg.

In Ravello, the Hotel Caruso, which overlooks the spectacular Gulf of Salerno on the Amalfi coast, opened last year on June 21. The property perches on a hilltop, 350m above sea level and encompasses the 'Belvedere' garden and a splendid 13th Century Colonnade with 360 degree views. After a successful opening last summer, the hotel is closed for the winter and will re-open on March 25, 2006. Several new rooms, including some exclusive suites each with a private terrace and garden, will be added in the spring.

During its annual winter season closure, the legendary Hotel Cipriani in Venice is also being enhanced. The formal Fortuny Bar has been painstakingly restored, revealing authentic vaults under the ceiling that complement the d'ecor of the nearby Fortuny Restaurant and connecting Cigar Room. In the gardens next to the Olympic-sized swimming pool, there will be private cabanas available for rent to guests wishing more shade or privacy. Each will contain armchairs, mini bars and massage tables on request for treatments from the Casanova Beauty and Wellness Center. The Observatory suite, which has remarkable views of St Mark's basin and the Lido, will have a new open air plunge pool on its wooden terrace. The Granaries of the Republic banqueting rooms have been enhanced with an illumination facility created by Venetian decorator Matteo Corvino to transform the scenic effects and choice of themes for event organizers. The Hotel Cipriani Cooking School will also host guest chefs Raymond Blanc and Ezio and Renata Santin from Antica Osteria del Ponte, Italy from October 15 to 20, 2006. Hotel Cipriani opens for the 2006 season from March 10, 2006.

At the Hotel Splendido in Portofino, which reopens on March 24, the Beauty and Wellness Center has developed four new packages inspired by oriental holistic philosophies and designed to restore the individual's emotional, physical and spiritual harmony. Programs include four nights accommodation, lessons with qualified experts on meditation techniques, massages, walks and tuition on the concepts of healthy eating. Price per person is from $1,655* in a double room with a sea view.

The Villa San Michele in Florence, a 15th century former Franciscan monastery, is closed until March 24, 2006 when it will reopen with a new suite located in the tranquil Italianate gardens next to the Limonaia suite. For shopping lovers, a new three-night 'Scent of Florence' package will be offered that includes exclusive use of a personal shopper, private car and chauffeur. The itinerary includes a special visit to Lorenzo Villoresi perfume laboratory in the historic center of Florence, where guests can have their own personal perfume created. Price per couple is from $4,553* for three nights in a junior suite with daily breakfast and lunch in a typical Florentine trattoria and invigorating aromatic body massage.

H^otel de la Cit'e, set in the ramparts of the medieval citadel of Carcassonne is closed from January 29 to March 3, 2006 and will re-open with a new executive chef, J'er^ome Ryon. Ryon worked alongside former executive chef Franck Putelat for eight years at the hotel's Michelin starred restaurant, La Barbacane. He was recently awarded first prize at the Grand Finale of Taittinger International Culinary Awards in Paris.

In Europe's best kept secret, Lisbon, visitors to the Lapa Palace can enjoy the delights of the Portuguese capital combined with the relaxed atmosphere of this elegant 19th century stately home overlooking the Tagus River. The 'Great Chefs of the World' gourmet program run by leading French, Brazilian and Italian chefs has been a resounding success and continues to be available for food and wine lovers until May 2006. The two Lapa ballrooms have undergone a complete refurbishment during summer 2005. The new project has included the redecoration of the rooms with hand-painted Portuguese 'azulejos' tiles, forged iron chandeliers with gold leaf decoration and new banqueting fixtures, as well as state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment. The space can be divided into two rooms, Lapa Garden and Lapa Terrace, one with direct access to the garden, and the other one with access to a terrace.

The historic Reid's Palace in Madeira will be closed from January 16 to April 13, 2006 to carry out some exciting new additions. A spa will be built in a separate building, located close to the pool area and will open in July 2006. Interior designer Graham Viney will carry out the refurbishment. His work will also include the renovation of 72 hotel rooms including the garden wing, which will have a fresh look and improved bathrooms, while rooms in the main building will reflect a more classic style. The two existing swimming pools will be reshaped with an infinity edge and the small pool will become freshwater, allowing guests a choice and meeting consumer demand. Groups and corporate events at Reid's Palace will benefit from a beautiful new conference room with a capacity of up to 150 people theater style. Located adjacent to the main dining room, it will be ideal for private dining or special events and will also have a new separate foyer and entrance.

During 2006, La Residencia, the idyllic hideaway in Dei`a, northwest Mallorca, is planning to create eight new suites that will be available by the autumn. Located in a separate building near the pool area, each of the secluded suites has a private garden and dramatic views of the Tramuntana mountains. A new elevator will provide access to the suites and the gym will be relocated closer to the spa. With a delightful year-round climate, La Residencia offers guests a wonderful array of packages, such as the five or seven-night 'Easter Break' available from April 10, 2006. The five-night package is from $1,740* per person and $2,206* per person for the seven nights. Highlights of the package include; a guided walking tour through the village of Dei`a, a visit to a colorful Easter procession in Palma, a Good Friday dinner in the renowned El Olivo restaurant, a Taste of Spain dinner on Easter Saturday with live music, a Easter Sunday brunch and dinner in the Son Fony restaurant. Sport lovers can sharpen their game with lessons from the resident tennis coach Shayne Tabb.

The elegant 167-room Hotel Ritz Madrid is perfectly located for business and leisure guests with easy access to all parts of the city including the Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza and Reina Sofia Museums, Castellana business district, the beautiful Retiro Park and major institutions such as the Madrid Stock exchange and Spanish Parliament. The ornate lobby and hall have been restored and redesigned. Internet services have been improved with wireless access in the business center, guest rooms and public areas.

Chef Proprietor Raymond Blanc of Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons, in the heart of Oxfordshire, has announced the refurbishment of four of its individually designed rooms, one of which will be completely restyled and renamed the Lemongrass suite and is due to be completed this spring. The renowned two-Michelin-starred restaurant will also receive some elegant enhancements, with the redesign of the Grand Salle.