(18th February 2013) - Europe’s oldest luxury hotel brand, Kempinski, has reinforced its commitment to India by launching Kempinski Ambience Hotel Delhi, its first independently managed hotel in the commercial district of Shahdara, East Delhi.

Kempinski Ambience Hotel Delhi is designed in a contemporary style and features 480 rooms and suites in two towers, connected by a sky bridge. Each tower has a dedicated entrance, lobby and check-in desk. The hotel offers banqueting facilities of over 70,000 sq ft, including India’s largest pillar-less ballroom within a luxury hotel that can accommodate up to 6000 guests.

Amongst the dining experiences are four restaurants including Café Knosh (all-day dining), Dilli 32 (Indian specialty restaurant), Mei Kun (Asian restaurant) and Casaluna (Italian restaurant). In addition, the hotel has a scenic, glass-enclosed bar, the Cherry Bar, two business centres and recreational facilities including a spa with hammam and an ice fountain, two fitness centres, a salon and two outdoor heated swimming pools.

The hotel is set to be an upscale landmark destination in Delhi for business, entertainment and weddings in the region. It is surrounded by an affluent business community, entertainment destinations and prominent state-owned buildings and is well connected via road and the metro rail to the airports and city centre.

On Christmas day, the Kempinski Ambience Hotel Delhi was visited by the Buddhist spiritual leader and Nobel Peace Prize recipient, His Holiness the Dalai Lama who blessed and inaugurated the hotel by the lighting of a ceremonial lamp. In his blessing of the hotel, the Dalai Lama said, “Today’s world is deeply interconnected and the progress of any region must be viewed from a perspective of the oneness of humanity. I am touched by the massive effort and compassion that has gone into building such a magnanimous property in East Delhi, and the efforts the hotel is taking in community development, which will lead to the betterment of this entire region. I wish to recognise the support extended to us by the Kempinski Ambience Hotel.” His Holiness the Dalai Lama was at the hotel for his teachings on Shantideva's "Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life".

Commenting on Kempinski’s vision to strengthen its foothold in India through this fully-managed property, Mr Reto Wittwer, President and CEO of Kempinski Hotels, said, “Across the world, Kempinski is known as a pioneer in several destinations, and our guests who are keen to discover the world through Kempinski come to seek authentic experiences of new destinations. Shahdara fits our vision perfectly, through its unique blend of a rustic Old Delhi charm coupled with an early embrace of the most sophisticated modern infrastructure and technology. Asia, as a whole, is a very dynamic region. As we venture in the diverse and vital Indian subcontinent, we extend our global brand promise to our guests - no matter which hotel you visit, we ensure that the remarkable European Flair offers you a consistent Kempinski guest experience, while respecting and incorporating different cultures to imbue the uniqueness of each individual hotel.”

Mr Raj Singh Gehlot, Chairman and Managing Director of Ambience Group, owner of Kempinski Ambiance Hotel Delhi said, “For more than 115 years, Kempinski Hotels have hosted the most renowned and powerful international celebrities and world leaders, and we are proud to have been chosen to open their first hotel in India.”

For more information, images or to make a reservation please visit www.kempinski.com/delhi

About Kempinski
Created in 1897, Kempinski Hotels is Europe’s oldest luxury hotel group. Kempinski’s rich heritage of impeccable personal service and superb hospitality is complemented by the exclusivity and individuality of its properties. Kempinski now comprises a portfolio of 75 five-star hotels in 31 countries and continues to add new properties in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Each one reflects the strength and success of the Kempinski brand without losing sight of its heritage. The portfolio comprises historic landmark properties, award-winning urban lifestyle hotels, outstanding resorts, and prestigious residences. Each one imbues the quality guests have come to expect from Kempinski while embracing the cultural traditions of its location. Kempinski is a founding member of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world’s largest alliance of independent hotels.

For more information and reservations please visit www.kempinski.com.