Mr Harrington will begin his tenure in May, just as the hotel�s joint venture partnership is on the brink, subject to PRC State approval, of a new phase of operational restructuring and investment for upgrading. 

HSH Chief Executive Officer Pierre Boppe commented, �Donald Harrington�s breadth of experience, particularly in Asia and the USA, gives him a valuable perspective on markets essential to the promotion of our China property. Given its potential, he joins the hotel at an important juncture.� 
 

Mr Harrington joins The Peninsula Group from The Palace Hotel, Sun City, South Africa where he has held the position of general manager since 1996.  His career path in the hospitality industry commenced with Four Seasons at the Clift Hotel in San Francisco. In 1981 he was appointed assistant director of food and beverage at The Pierre, New York and subsequently he held management positions with the company in San Antonio, Houston, Dallas and Tokyo before returning to The Pierre as hotel manager in 1994.

The Palace Hotel Beijing 8 Goldfish Lane, Wangfujing, Beijing 100006, The People's Republic of China

Also Mr Peter Finamore has been appointed general manager of The Peninsula Chicago, the latest hotel in the portfolio of the deluxe Peninsula Group which is owned and managed by The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited (HSH).

He will commence his tenure in May 2000 at the 339-key property currently under fast-track construction at 730 North Michigan Avenue. His responsibilities will include forming the hotel team, developing and implementing all pre-opening activities, and managing the hotel once it is opened in mid-2001. 

Pierre Boppe, chief executive officer of HSH, commented, �Peter Finamore�s hotel experience across American, Asian and European markets will be particularly valuable in Chicago which is a magnet for domestic and international business and leisure travellers. He also brings to the position considerable knowledge of the Peninsula culture and what it represents to our customers.� 
In a commanding location on the Magnificent Mile, The Peninsula Chicago is expected to set hospitality benchmarks with its proprietary guest comfort technology in the rooms, and features such as its dual-level spa and health club at the top of the hotel, its roof terrace providing outdoor banqueting options, and its ballroom with floor to ceiling windows. 

Mr Finamore takes the helm of the group�s fourth hotel in the USA following a five-year term as general manager of its Palace Hotel property in Beijing. Under his leadership, that hotel consistently figured at the top of industry polls, and expanded and developed its commercial area into the premier deluxe shopping arcade in the Chinese capital. 

During his 12-year career with the Group, he was, consecutively, resident manager of both The Peninsula Manila and flagship The Peninsula Hong Kong, and general manager of The Kowloon Hotel, before moving to Beijing. 
Prior to joining the Group, he spent nine years with Hilton International for which he held positions in properties in Canada, the USA and UK. A native of Canada, he holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Concordia University, Montreal. 

The Peninsula Chicago is owned by The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited, Thomas J. Klutznick Company, and Himmel and Company. 

The Peninsula Group is the operations and marketing division of The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited, one of the premier international hotel groups.
The Peninsula Group of hotels comprises: The Peninsula and The Kowloon Hotels in Hong Kong; The Peninsula Bangkok; The Peninsula Manila; The Palace Hotel, Beijing; The Peninsula New York; The Peninsula Beverly Hills; Quail Lodge Resort & Golf Club, Carmel, California; and The Peninsula Chicago (opening mid-2001).