Aston will open two luxury properties in the Philippines, the Aston Infinity Tower, a 150-suite property centrally located in the Makati financial district, and the Aston Country Resort, a 43-room golf course/mountain resort located in Rizal. In Australia, Aston will open the Aston Grand Surf Resort, a 135-room hotel in Surfers Paradise, Queensland.

�Our expansion to these regions of the world builds upon the strong foundation we have established for the Aston brand name over the years in Hawaii,� said Andre Tatibouet, chairman and chief executive officer of Aston Hotels & Resorts. �These projects, as well as our recently-announced Aston Bali Resort & Spa, serve as the initial components of our strategic expansion into the Western Pacific and Asian markets. We anticipate adding four to six additional international properties to our inventory during the next year. Within five years, we expect 25 to 35 percent of Aston�s business will be generated from our operations outside of Hawaii.�

The 30-story Aston Infinity Tower, scheduled for a soft opening in April l998, will include studio, one- two- and three-bedroom units. Resort amenities will include a business center, lounge, restaurant and meeting space. An entire floor will house a fitness center complete with a filly-equipped gym, sauna, Jacuzzi and a large pool.

Approximately one hour away, the Aston Country Resort will greet visitors with 43 rooms arranged in two-story, walk-up buildings. The mountain resort, scheduled for a soft opening in June 1997, fronts on the Astride Golf Course. Resort amenities will include a pool, restaurant, meeting space and golf course privileges. Approximately 85 percent of the suites will have either golf course or territorial and ocean views.

�The Aston Infinity Tower will be the premier business residence hotel in the Philippines� said Charles Brookfield, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Aston Hotels & Resorts. �And, with our new golf destination, the Aston Country Resort, we will be able to provide tee times, which are a very sought after commodity in the Philippines, for guests at both properties.�

Aston�s first property in Australia, the Aston Grand Surf Resort in Surfers Paradise, will offer 135 guest rooms and suites, many with ocean views. The lO-story property will be located approximately two blocks from the beach and the center of Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast Highway, with the Nerang River running behind the property. Highlights will include a surfing motif throughout the hotel, a sandy beach-lagoon pool with separate spa, restaurants, retail shops, and a gaming room. Aston has scheduled a soft opening for the resort in early 1998.

�We are pleased to be entering the Australian market, particularly in advance of the Olympic Games in Sydney in the year 2000,� said Tatibouet. �We look forward to offering great Aston values to guests from our intended primary markets of Australia, Japan, Indonesia and North America.�

Based in Honolulu, Aston Hotels & Resorts plans to open four new hotels and resorts under the Aston name in Australia, Bali, and the Philippines within the next 12 months. Further international expansion is planned. Aston operates more than 30 deluxe condominium resorts and hotels and more than 5,000 rooms on all four major Hawaiian islands.

For more information visit Aston's Web Site.