WORLDHOTELS affiliated Stamford Plaza Auckland was recently announced as �Best Business Hotel in New Zealand� at the Australasian World Travel Awards 2008.

The gala award ceremony often dubbed the �Oscars of the Travel Industry� boasted attendance by the who�s who of the Australasian travel and tourism industry who all turned out to see who would be the big winners on the night. A total of 429 travel companies and businesses were nominated for the prestigious awards which are voted for annually by international travel agents. This year more than 167,000 travel professionals participated in the voting process.

�It is wonderful for the hotel to be internationally recognized as a leader in the tourism industry especially within an incredibly tough field of competitors� said Fiona Poulakas, Marketing Communications and Promotions Manager, Stamford Hotels and Resorts.

�It is exciting to know that Stamford Hotels and Resorts are setting the benchmark for quality, innovation and excellence in the hotel industry across Australasia� Fiona Poulakas added.

The Stamford Plaza Auckland is ideally located in the heart of Auckland�s central business district. The hotel, one of the city�s finest five-star hotels is situated just minutes from Auckland�s Waitemata Harbour, Viaduct Village and the city�s best shopping, theatres and nightlife.

The award winning hotel recently received a multi-million dollar refurbishment and boasts wonderful city and harbour views, 283 guestrooms and a brand new pool and gymnasium.

WORLDHOTELS also recently announced that the Stamford Plaza Auckland was voted by users of the WORLDHOTELS website, worldhotels.com, as one of the top 10 dream hotels in the WORLDHOTELS portfolio of almost 500 hotels around the world.

�This is another great accolade for Stamford Hotels and Resorts, who we have been successful partners with since 2002� said Roland Jegge, Vice President Asia-Pacific, for WORLDHOTELS, the leading global hotel group for independent hotels and regional brands.

�Not only is it especially rewarding to be recognized by fellow travel professionals but also by the global community at large� added Mr Jegge.

Stamford Plaza Brisbane was also nominated for two awards at The Australasian Travel Awards 2008 � Australia�s Leading Business Hotel and Australasia�s Leading Business Hotel.

The Australasian World Travel Awards were established in 1993 and designed to acknowledge, reward and celebrate the enormous achievements in all sectors of the travel industry.

Stamford Hotels and Resorts began operations in 1996 and are named after the founder of Singapore, Sir Stamford Raffles. The group acquired ten of Australia and New Zealand�s finest and most innovative hotels to create the formidable brand.

- Ends -

Note to editors:

About WORLDHOTELS: � WORLDHOTELS is the longest established Europe based global hotel group for independent hotels and regional hotel brands. � The company's strong emphasis is on properties with character and distinction. It has almost 500 affiliate properties in more than 300 destinations and 70 countries worldwide. � Under the banner �Unique Hotels for Unique People�, WORLDHOTELS offers business and leisure travellers a wide choice of individualistic accommodation options in three distinct collections � Deluxe, First Class and Comfort. � WORLDHOTELS' guests benefit from an extensive portfolio of partnerships, including frequent flyer programs from 18 of the world's leading international airlines, including Air France/KLM, United Airlines and Lufthansa. � To its affiliate hotels, WORLDHOTELS provides a wide range of sales, marketing, distribution and related services.

ASIA PACIFIC Reservation Numbers :

Australia Toll free: 1-800-55 35 49 For groups: 61-2-9006 1088 China (North) Toll free: 10-800-650-8221 For groups: 10-800-6 50 00 87 China (South) Toll free: 10-800-2 65 82 21 For groups: 10-800-2 65 00 87 Hong Kong Toll free: 800-96 85 63 For groups: 800-90 85 95 India Toll free: 000-800-6 50 11 60 For groups: 65- 62 27 55 35 Indonesia Toll free: 001-803-65 73 25 Japan Toll free: 0120-55 75 37 For groups: +81 3 6721 8141. Malaysia Toll free: 1-800-80 11 84 For groups: 1-800-80 15 86 New Zealand Toll free: 0-800-44 75 55 For groups: 61-2-9006 1088 Philippines Toll free: 1-800-16 51 01 67 Singapore Toll free: 1-800-2 27 66 26 For groups: 65- 62 27 55 35 South Korea Toll free: 080-747-10 00 For groups: 82-2-756 90 00 Taiwan Toll free: 00801-65 10 95 For Groups: 00801 651 423 Thailand Toll free: 001-800-65 66 04

For further information visit worldhotels.com.

Issued on behalf of WORLDHOTELS by Grebstad Hicks Communications.

For further information, please contact:

Grebstad Hicks Communications Ms Luci Pickett or Ms Carol Kong Tel: 852 2810 0532 E-mail: luci.pickett@ghcasia.com or carol.kong@ghcasia.com

WORLDHOTELS Mr Roland Jegge Tel: 65 6227 5535 E-mail: rjegge@worldhotels.com