Park Plaza Hotel Franchise

Park Plaza Hotels Europe Set to Become Largest Operator on London's South Bank

Two New-Construction Hotels Scheduled to Open in 2008 and 2010

Park Plaza Europe, the master franchisor of the Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts brand throughout the Europe, the Middle East and Africa, has unveiled plans for the construction of two new managed hotels in London. Both properties will be located on the south side of the River Thames. The County Hall Park Plaza is scheduled to open in 2008, and the Westminster Bridge Park Plaza is planned for 2010. Both hotels are being developed and will be owned by U.K-based companies--Galliard and Frogmore Property Company Limited--along with private investors. With these two additions to its portfolio, Park Plaza Hotels Europe will operate more than 2,200 guestrooms in central London, making it one of the largest hotel operators in that market.

Boris Ivesha, president and CEO of Park Plaza Hotels Europe, said these new projects illustrate the company's intention to become a leading European operator of high quality, contemporary hotels in key destinations.

"County Hall Park Plaza and Westminster Bridge Park Plaza will be stunning additions to our already highly successful network of quality hotels in key destinations," said Ivesha. "They will represent our commitment to continual growth and development here in the U.K., and will open in time for the London 2012 Olympics."

The County Hall Park Plaza will feature 395 luxury guestrooms, suites and penthouses; more than half will have fully equipped kitchens. The individually designed rooms will include custom-made furniture, the latest in-room technology, flat screen televisions and wireless Internet connectivity. Guestrooms on the upper floors will offer striking views of the River Thames and the London city skyline.

The hotel will be located on Addington St., opposite County Hall and within minutes of Waterloo International station and famous London landmarks such as the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey.

Other amenities and features of the hotel will include a guest lounge, café, bar and restaurant, gymnasium and meeting rooms.

The 930-room Westminster Bridge Park Plaza will be one of the largest conference hotels to open in London for several decades, offering an extensive conference facility for up to 1,000 people. The 14-story hotel will be the largest and most prestigious of the Park Plaza Hotel & Resorts global portfolio.

The hotel site is located at the end of Westminster Bridge directly opposite the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. Plans call for a unique atrium design that will feature a 14-story, glazed canopy roof over the guest reception area. Additionally, the hotel will offer an extensive health spa with gym, indoor swimming pool and fitness area, two onsite restaurants, a bar area with a views of the Houses of Parliament, executive business lounges, a business center and retail outlets.

All guestrooms will have similar state-of-the-art features as the County Hall Park Plaza, including the fully equipped kitchens in many of the rooms.

Other London-area hotels operated by Park Plaza Hotels Europe include the recently opened Riverbank Park Plaza, and the all-suite Plaza on the River Club and Residence (both located on the Albert Embankment), and the Sherlock Holmes Hotel on Baker Street. Other Park Plaza-branded hotels in the U.K. are located in Belfast, Cardiff, Leeds and Nottingham. The company's European destinations include Amsterdam, Berlin, Budapest and Antwerp.

About Park Plaza Hotels
Park Plaza Hotels Europe is a full-service hotel company providing management, franchise, sales, marketing, reservations, training, procurement, technical, licensing and design services. The company is the master franchisor of Carlson Hotels Worldwide for the four-star Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts brand in 55 countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The company also manages the four-star trendy art'otel brand.

Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts is part of Carlson Hotels Worldwide, a global hotel industry leader encompassing nearly 900 hotel and resort operations in 68 countries. Carlson Hotels Worldwide is one of the major operating groups of Carlson Companies, Inc., a global leader in providing corporate solutions and consumer services in the marketing, travel and hospitality industries. Other names in the Carlson family of brands and services are: T.G.I. Friday's® restaurants, Radisson Seven Seas Cruises®, Carlson Wagonlit Travel®, and Carlson Marketing Group®, the largest relationship marketing services company in the United States. There are nearly 40 Park Plaza locations worldwide in 13 countries, with 10 in North America.

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