The chairman of the Sol Melia Hotels and Resort, worldwide Mr. Gabriel Escarrer  Julia, chairman and founder of the hotel chain 48 years ago, inaugurated the project through the official ground breaking ceremony, together with the Cuban and Chinese partners of this breathtaking project.

Located right in the heart of the Pudong CBD, this impressive and massive undertaking will take Sol Melia further into a significant and relevant presence within the mainland China hotel and resort market.

Michael W. Brabsche commented that this flagship development is part of the ever ongoing and aggressive expansion of Sol Melia within the P.R.C. market, with projects in Lijiang, Hainan, Guilin, Kunming among others and of course in the main Metropolis of Beijing and Shanghai.

Asked about the difference of Sol Melia in comparison with other hotel and resort groups, Michael W. Brabsche stated that the primary importance put on by the group is on financial performance, as one of the key factors combined, with unique design features and above all the service features, which would make Sol Melia Hotels and Resorts a main contender for new and upcoming projects within the People�s Republic of China.

Mr. Michael W. Brabsche further explained that the development of Sol Melia in China, is based upon solid partnerships, with important groups that do have a solid and good financial record and wish to expand their businesses through Sol Melia Hotels and Resorts, to develop their food hold in the hospitality.

Mr. Brabsche explained that the Gran Melia Pudong, Shanghai will be open for business in the beginning of the second quarter of 2005 and will be featuring a 6 star setup, with a Havana Club live entertainment concept, a futuristic spa complex and the largest ballroom in the city with seating capacity for more then 4000 people. The convention and exhibition facilities will further allow direct access via a ramp into the ballroom for large equipments, such as cars, trucks and industrial goods and events which will require large areas.

Sol Meliá is the leading hotel company in Spain, Latin America and the Caribbean, the third largest hotel company in Europe and number ten in the world ranking. Sol Meliá is also the largest resort hotel chain in the world. The head office of Sol Melia Hotels and Resorts Group is in Spain. The company provides more than 350 hotels in 30 countries under its Meliá Hotels, TRYP Hotels, Sol Hotels and Paradisus Resorts brands. Sol Meliá currently provides more than 350 hotels in 30 countries on 4 continents.