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Park Plaza Leeds Opens Following USD $31.5 million
Refurbishment of the Former 21-story
Royal Exchange House Office Building
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New Park Plaza Leeds is Part of USD $472 Million
(£300 million) UK Investment
                                   
MINNEAPOLIS (September 3, 2003) -- Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts today announced that its London-based partner, Park Plaza Hotels Europe, has just opened a city center hotel in Leeds.  The opening of the Park Plaza Leeds � the company's fourth United Kingdom (UK) hotel � is part of a planned USD $472 million (£300 million) investment into the UK.  Park Plaza Hotels Europe is the development partner in Europe, the Middle East and Africa for Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts, part of Minneapolis-based Carlson Hotels Worldwide. 

Bjørn Gullaksen, executive vice president


Park Plaza Leeds (rendering)
Boar Lane
Leeds, England
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The Park Plaza Hotel was originally an office
building, called Royal Exchange House,
built in the 1970s.
and brand leader for Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts said, "The addition of the Park Plaza Leeds is a most exciting addition to what is undoubtedly one of the biggest hotel expansion plans in the UK.  We commend our partners, Park Plaza Europe, on a job well done in bringing this hotel into the Park Plaza brand."

Prior to opening as the Park Plaza Leeds, the 21-story building experienced a USD $31.5 million (£20 million) refurbishment.  The hotel, formerly Royal Exchange House, has been refurbished and re-designed in keeping with the surroundings of the nearby City Square. 

Under the supervision of general manager, Ivar Van Diepen, and his 85-member team, the Park Plaza Leeds boasts 187 spacious and tastefully decorated superior and executive bedrooms and penthouse suites.  All guestrooms feature bespoke furniture, two telephone lines, three extensions, Internet access and on-demand movie channels. 

According to Van Diepen, "Our aim at Park Plaza Leeds is to inspire through passion, whether that be in providing the best possible service, the highest quality standards or through attention to all the finer details that make such a difference to our guests."

Meeting space at the Park Plaza Leeds extends over two dedicated conference floors, including eleven multi-function conference and banqueting rooms suitable for banquets, product launches and exhibitions.  In addition to providing ample meeting space, conference rooms offer unrivalled panoramic views of the city.  State-of-the-art audiovisual and technical equipment, neutral and tranquil décor and high specification intelligent lighting ensure that the hotel is able to meet the needs of its business customers. 

The hotel also houses several retail outlets, providing a range of dedicated upscale shopping services for guests. 

Park Plaza Leeds has teamed up with Chino Latino to bring Leeds its first Fusion Far East and modern Japanese restaurant with a Latin bar.  Chino Latino combines the fiery spirit of the 'Latino' with the delicate flavors of Fusion Far East and modern Japanese cuisine, in a vibrant and sophisticated setting.  The ultra modern bar, serving rum and tequila-based cocktails, has been designed as a place where business people in Leeds can go for a laid-back drink in up-beat surroundings. 

Other hotels in the USD $472 million (£300 million) investment portfolio include Victoria Park Plaza and Sherlock Holmes in London, which opened in fall 2001, and the Park Plaza Nottingham which opened in August 2002.  The Riverbank Park Plaza�the largest new-build hotel to open in 30 years in central London�is due to open in mid-2005.  The hotel will offer 400 deluxe guestrooms and 75 exclusive one and two-bedroom suites. 

Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts is part of Carlson Hospitality Worldwide, a global leader in hospitality services, encompassing more than 1,690 hotel, resort, restaurant and cruise ship operations in 82 countries. 

Park Plaza Hotels Europe is the master franchisor of Carlson Hospitality Worldwide for the Park Plaza brand in 55 countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.  Park Plaza Hotels Europe has 26 hotels open and under development in nine countries, including the art'otel brand. 

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Contact:

Julia Stone
Park Plaza Hotels Europe    
Tel:  +44 (0) 20 7034 4817
[email protected]

Kristi Arndt
Corporate Public Relations
Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts
Tel: 763-212-5626
[email protected]

www.parkplaza.com

Also See: Park Plaza Hotels Europe Adds First Franchise Hotel, the Park Plaza Trier; Appoints Hans J. Keller to Lead Franchise Operation / June 2003
 Park Plaza Hotels in North America, Europe and India Unify to Form One Brand / Nov 2002


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