Grupo Presidente Unveils New Developments
Two new restaurants also to debut on the Mexico City dining scene
MEXICO CITY, Mexico, March 28, 2006. Grupo Presidente, operators of Presidente InterContinental Hotels & Resorts and restaurants in Mexico, is proud to announce news on several major projects that are planned or just underway in 2006. Grupo Presidente is poised for significant growth this year, as its resorts in Cancun and Cozumel will both re-launch featuring dramatic changes and additions that were made following Hurricane Wilma last year.
In addition, Grupo Presidente will increase its diverse portfolio of restaurants, with the addition of two new eateries in Mexico City, one of which will be located at the Presidente InterContinental Mexico City Hotel. Highlights of Grupo Presidente's new developments include:
HOTEL NEWS
o The Presidente InterContinental Mexico City Hotel is set to break ground on a 29-story luxury tower in spring 2006. When construction is complete, the property will be renamed the Presidente InterContinental Mexico City Hotel & Tower. The new tower will feature 240 oversized rooms and deluxe suites, a spa and swimming pool, restaurants and much more. The new tower is expected to take 30 months to complete and is projected to open late 2008. For additional information on the Presidente InterContinental Mexico City Hotel visit www.intercontinental.com/mexicocity.
o The Presidente InterContinental Cancun Resort re-opened on March 10 following the first phase of dramatic enhancements and additions to the resort. The resort features a new entrance with water accents, a porte-coch`ere, and a redesigned lobby area featuring a grand staircase, a newly-built oceanfront deck bar, which will offer nightly live music and entertainment while guests enjoy an unparalleled view of the magnificent Caribbean Sea. Each of the resort's 299 guest rooms and suites were upgraded with new duvet covers, bedding, upholstery and carpeting throughout all corridors. A completely new club floor featuring 36 new club rooms is located on the fifth floor, bringing the total number of club rooms offered at the property to 52.
The Presidente InterContinental Cancun Resort has re-opened its popular "open air" El Caribe~no restaurant, which is completely new, from all new furniture to the kitchen. Located under a giant poolside "palapa," El Caribe~no offers a casually elegant atmosphere and delicious seafood dishes as well as a spectacular view of the beach and ocean. The second phase of the project, scheduled to be complete by July 15, will feature a wall of windows in the fabulous new lobby area, which will offer guests a stunning view of the resort's white sand beach as it stretches out to the emerald ocean waters. For more information visit www.intercontinental.com/cancun.
o The Presidente InterContinental Cozumel Resort & Spa will re-open on October 1, 2006 following an extensive $25 million (USD) renovation and redevelopment project. The resort, which will be built to five-star standards, will boast completely redesigned rooms and suites, featuring luxurious furnishings and wide-screen plasma televisions. A new room category of one and two bedroom "Ocean Suites" has been created and will provide guests with unparalleled views of the Caribbean Sea. The resort's 220 spacious rooms and suites will all offer balconies or terraces. The entrance area will feature a new road lined with newly planted lush vegetation and several fountains. A new lobby designed with guest convenience in mind will feature individual desks for check-in. Other new resort facilities include an expanded "Scuba Du" dive and watersports center, ideal for beginners and certified divers, a golf putting green, a second "adults only" pool and bar, "Chiqui Club" for children, and a retail courtyard featuring retail shops and tennis courts. The resort's main restaurant, Alfredo di Roma is being completely redesigned featuring a new bar area and a private room with its own terrace. The resort's Caribe~no Restaurant will be completely new and will include a lounge area for guests and a spectacular bar with inspiring views of the Caribbean Sea. With these changes, and the resort's privileged private beachfront location, the Presidente InterContinental Cozumel Resort & Spa will emerge as one of the top resorts in the Mexican Caribbean. For more information visit www.intercontinental.com/cozumel.
o The Presidente InterContinental Villa Mercedes M`erida made its official debut in February 2006. The grand luxury hotel, the newest in the city, which boasts 127 deluxe rooms and four elegant suites, is designed in a residential art nouveau style and set in a 19th century mansion in the historic city of M`erida, the capital of the state of Yucat'an. The hotel is conveniently located just off the Paseo Montejo, a broad tree-lined avenue lined with caf'es, restaurants, museums, upscale shops and mansions. Magnificent ancient architectural sites, including Chichen Itza and Dzibilchaltun, are a short driving distance from the hotel. The Presidente InterContinental Villa Mercedes M`erida boasts a number of 24 hour services, including room service and laundry/valet, an advanced business center, fitness center and two special-access Executive Floors. For more information visit www.intercontinental.com/merida.
RESTAURANT NEWS
o The Presidente InterContinental Mexico City Hotel welcomes its newest gourmet restaurant, Zhen Shanghai, in September 2006. The 150-seat gourmet Asian eatery, which Grupo Presidente imported straight from Shanghai, China, will be conveniently located in the hotel. The restaurant's elegant d'ecor and furnishings will create a unique atmosphere for diners. The eatery joins the hotel's impressive list of top restaurants, including Au Pied de Cochon (French), The Palm Restaurant (steakhouse/seafood), Alfredo di Roma (Italian), La Chimenea (Mexican) as well as Frutas y Flores (casual dining) and the Balmoral Tea Room.
o Grupo Presidente will debut a brand new 170-seat French bistro, La Taverne, in May 2006. Located at the new upscale Antara Shopping Plaza in Polanco, La Taverne will offer quality French cuisine that can be eaten in or conveniently taken to go. Frederic Lobjois, former sous chef at Mexico City's Au Pied de Cochon, has been named Executive chef.
"This year marks an exciting new chapter for Grupo Presidente and Presidente InterContinental Hotels & Resorts. We are poised for significant growth and we have had the opportunity and the vision to make several major additions and enhancements to some of our top properties as well as to introduce new hotels, such as our new luxury hotel in Merida, and restaurants, including two this year alone in Mexico City," said Mr. Gordon Viberg, Chief Executive Officer, Grupo Presidente.
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