Zurich, January 2010 � Swiss�tel Hotels & Resorts have every reason to celebrate the new year: this is the year the Swiss hotel chain turns 30. The venture which started out in 1980 with just a few hotels has now blossomed into a distinguished, internationally renowned hotel chain with deluxe hotels in 17 countries across five continents. The company�s eventful history began with its founding, all those years ago, by Swissair and Nestl�. The company assembled its initial portfolio of hotels by acquiring Hotel Le Pr�sident in Geneva and signing management contracts for Hotel Drake in New York, Bellevue Palace in Berne and Hotel International in Zurich. In 1990, the hotel group became a fully-owned subsidiary of SAirRelations/SAir Group and in 1996 its head office was relocated from Zurich to New York. In 2001, Swiss�tel Hotels & Resorts was sold to Raffles Holdings Limited in Singapore shortly before Swissair was grounded. In 2005, the Los Angeles based firm Colony Capital LLC, a global private investment group specialising in the management of real estate assets and companies, bought Raffles International, which at the time owned the Swiss�tel and Raffles brands. Then in May 2006, Colony Capital together with Kingdom Hotels International also acquired the Canadian hotel group Fairmont and founded the new hotel chain Fairmont Raffles Hotels International (FRHI) with its head office in Toronto, Canada. The group now comprises nearly 100 hotels in over 25 countries, operating under three strong brand names: Fairmont, Raffles and Swiss�tel Hotels & Resorts. Under the new umbrella brand, the corporate office of Swiss�tel Hotels & Resorts moved back to Zurich, and since 2003 the German born Meinhard Huck has been President of the company. After a rich and varied 30-year history, Swiss�tel Hotels & Resorts continue to meet the exacting demands of business travellers and holidaymakers alike. The deluxe hotels are known for their modern design combined with characteristically Swiss touches and exceptional levels of Swiss hospitality. The name Swiss�tel stands for competent, personal service with a smile. The hotels are located in major destinations and metropolises all over the world, and most are situated in the city centre, only a stone's throw from the shopping and business districts and the local attractions. Many of Swiss�tel's establishments have won international awards. "Back in 1980 the Swiss�tel name covered a number of separate hotels, each with their own individual identity. Today, though, it represents an outstanding international hotel chain whose corporate identity and brand name have become a symbol of superior quality in the hotel business", says Meinhard Huck, President Swiss�tel Hotels & Resorts. "We are delighted to have the chance to officially celebrate our company's anniversary in 2010 with our guests." Swiss�tel Hotels & Resorts is a distinctive group of deluxe hotels for today�s discerning business and leisure travellers, combining the renowned Swiss touch with a fresh, contemporary and modern design. Each Swiss�tel hotel offers personalized service with charm and efficiency. Located in main gateway destinations and city centres, the hotels have convenient access to business and shopping districts, and local attractions. Swiss�tel Hotels & Resorts worldwide have won prestigious awards and accolades. Swiss�tel Hotels & Resorts is owned by Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, a leading global hotel company with 94 hotels and resorts worldwide under the Raffles, Fairmont and Swiss�tel brands. The company also manages Fairmont and Raffles branded Residences, Estates and luxury private residence club properties. Swiss�tel Hotels & Resorts under development: Swiss�tel Dresden, Germany (2011) Swiss�tel Kolkata, India (2010) Swiss�tel Makkah, Saudia-Arabia (2011) www.swissotel.com Please visit our Private Digital Library at www.leonardo.com/swissotel or get in contact with us for high resolution pictures. For more information, please contact: Corporate Office Eva-Maria Panzer Director Communication Swiss�tel Hotels & Resorts Tel: +41 44 317 6228 Email: evamaria.panzer@swissotel.com Eva-Maria Lindner Manager Communication Tel: +41 44 317 6229 Email: evamaria.lindner@swissotel.com Asia Pacific Carolyn Tay Director Media Relations Tel: +65 6431 6957 Email: carolyn.tay@swissotel.com