Hong Kong, 18 February 2009 – Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group today announced that it has signed a management agreement for an exclusive luxury resort currently under development on a pristine, private island in The Maldives. This exceptional retreat is scheduled to open in the next 12 months.

Offering the ultimate luxury of space and privacy, the resort comprises 114 spacious, stand-alone villas, including 20 water villas and four Presidential villas, ranging in size from 300 to 1,750 square metres.

The King of Morocco plans to open a new ultra-luxurious hotel, Le Royal Mansour Marrakech, in November...53 riads...

They feature roof terraces (above) with sun beds and private pools provide stunning views of Marrakech or the Atlas mountains. Built into the ancient wall of Marrakech...the eight-acre property...

Jean Pierre Chaumard has been named as the General Manager of Royal Mansour Marrakech...most recently managing the Royal Palm in Mauritius for twenty years.

Other appointments to Le Royal Mansour include Romain Meiran as Deputy General Manager, Karim Fehry Fassy as Director of Sales & Marketing...Yannick Alléno as Executive Chef. Mr. Meiran was formerly at the renowned Le Meurice in Paris, and Mr. Fassy was previously at Emirates Palace in Dubai...Alléno also comes to Le Royal Mansour from Le Meurice, where he won a coveted three Michelin stars for restaurant le Meurice.

53 riads with a total of 78 bedrooms, including:
• 34 One Bedroom Riads - 130 to 200 sq.m - from €1500
• 14 Two Bedroom Riads - from 430 to 450 sq.m - from €4200
• 4 Three Bedroom Riads - from 830 sq.m from - from €16000
• 1 Riad d'Honneur (Royal Suite) - 2000 sq.m from - from €26000

management of Didier Picquot [GM @ regent/FS BKK, pierre NY, island shangri-la HK]

two Michelin Star chef’s, Alfonso Iaccarino of the famed Don Alfonso 1890 in Sant’ Agata, Italy and Jean-Pierre Vigato,Owner of Apicius in Paris, France

L’Italien by Alfonso Iaccarino features modern Italian specialties, whilst Le Francais by Jean-Pierre Vigato specializes in French contemporary cuisine.

The opening of The Peninsula Shanghai heralds the return of parent company The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels Limited to its roots, as it owned and operated four of Shanghai’s most celebrated hotels - The Kalee, Majestic, Palace and Astor House Hotels - in the first half of the last century. With a distinguished heritage as Asia’s oldest hotel company, The Peninsula Hotels is proud that its newest hotel returns to Shanghai, one of the world’s most exciting cities.

...Exotic woods, imported stones, black lacquer, carved glass and accents of polished chrome...Carpets are 100% wool and hand-tufted. Polished chrome Art Deco details throughout the room, such as the chandeliers and decorative lamp stands, contrast with Chinese accents, including hand-painted panels on the black lacquer TV cabinet...

A typical guest room is sub-divided into discreet elements of bedroom, bathroom and dressing room. A “privacy door” allows the bedroom to be closed off from the rest of the room, creating the sense of privacy of a suite in a typical room.

...large electronic safe...Internet radio, weather display panel, and a “nail dryer. “

...separate bath and rain shower, accented by carved opaque glass panels and an intricate floral carving above the bathtub, hand-carved in limestone to a French design. A spa button beside the bathtub dims the lights, activates the “Do Not Disturb” function on the phone and doorbell and switches on soothing music...

Access to Laucala Island, which opened to guests in December 2008, requires submitting an application.

The Peninsula Shanghai will open on October 19, 2009.

Peninsula Preview Rate. Valid October 19, 2009 through February 28, 2010, this rate starts at 2,009 Yuan for a Superior Room (about $295). Normal rates are 3,200 Yuan or about $468 a night. Guests also receive ... round-trip airport transfers from Hongqiao or Pudong International Airport.