Developers of Port St George on Long Island, Bahamas Select Langham Hotels to Operate 224-room Resort Scheduled to Open in 2013 / September 2009

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Developers of Port St George on Long Island, Bahamas Select Langham Hotels
to Operate 224-room Resort Scheduled to Open in 2013

24 September 2009 - Langham Hotels International is set to plant its first flag in the Caribbean and launch the first Langham Place in the North American market following the signing of a management agreement with P.S.G. Hotel Limited.

The 224-key resort will be called Langham Place, Resort + Spa, Port St George, Bahamas, forming a central focus for the island�s economic growth and revitalisation when it opens in 2013.

The Bahamas investment is the latest step to be announced in Langham Hotels International's mission to become one of the leading global luxury hotel brands. It plans to triple the number of properties in its portfolio within the next three years.

�We�re delighted to be introducing the Langham Place brand to the Caribbean and North American market. We believe this five-star resort will appeal to a market of independent yet adventurous travellers who haven't been effectively addressed before,� said Brett Butcher, Chief Executive Officer of Langham Hotels International.

�Our ambition is to create a modern playground for arts, sport and relaxation, using the latest technology to provide a stimulating sense of hospitality that�s not been seen before.�

Ian Moorcroft, Director of P.S.G. Hotel Limited said: �Introducing the Langham Place brand to the Bahamas represents a great opportunity for us to create something unique.

We believe Langham Hotels International's design skills, branding and marketing, as well as its operational management expertise, will set a new standard for high end developments in the Bahamian Outer Islands.�

Langham Place, Resort + Spa, Port St George, Bahamas will enjoy spectacular water views of Exuma Sound and Adderleys Bay, featuring over a mile long beach of pristine white sand. The property will nestle on part of a 1,000-acre development which will include a 640-berth marina, a world class Robert Trent Jones II Golf Course, plus residences and mixed use commercial space.

As well as beautifully designed modern rooms and villas with cleverly and seamlessly incorporated technology and lavish designer soft furnishings, the hotel also will feature a DJ to set the mood for a vibrant resort.

About Port St George, Long Island, Bahamas
(http://www.portstgeorge.com)

THE DEVELOPER
The developer, RUFO Investments Limited, is a 16 year old privately owned Jersey-registered company. The marketing team, Rexhaven Limited, is based in Leicester and registered in the UK. A Bahamian company, P.S.G. Limited, has been formed to actually carry out the development. All three companies (RUFO, Rexhaven and P.S.G.) are effectively in common ownership. The key players are Ian Moorcroft (Director of RUFO Investments Limited,
Rexhaven Limited and P.S.G. Limited), Richard Keyworth (head of the sales operation), Jon Houghton (Co-Director with Ian Moorcroft of P.S.G. Limited) and Lynda Smith (Company Secretary of Rexhaven Limited). They have employed expert partners in The Bahamas and the USA in the process of preparing the planning application and continue to work with these companies to ensure that the project has the best possible prospects of approval and meets all environmental and other standards within The Bahamas. RUFO has secured the site for Port St. George under contract, paid a substantial deposit to the vendors from its own resources and enhanced the value of the site considerably by obtaining the consents required for the development. Extensive surveys and studies were carried out in support of the planning application including environmental studies, topographical survey, boundary survey and bathymetric studies. Consultations with the local island population and utility companies were also undertaken.

LONG ISLAND
Long Island is an unspoiled and spectacularly beautiful island in the southern Bahamas. Due to its unique and stunning geography, it offers miles of contrasting coastlines, from rugged Atlantic beaches to tranquil Caribbean bays. This picturesque location enjoys close proximity to the major gateway ports of Nassau, Miami and Fort Lauderdale and was named as one of the 20 best islands to live on by Islands magazine in 2007. Some 80 miles long and no more than four miles wide at any point, Long Island is populated by approximately 3,900 Islanders who are genuinely friendly and welcoming. Although Port St. George is a substantial development, it will occupy less than 1% of the island and extensive environmental planning has been undertaken to ensure that it will enhance the island, providing additional habitat for wildlife and newly planted areas of mangroves which protect the shoreline from natural erosion and provide breeding grounds for many indigenous species.

PORT ST. GEORGE
Port St. George is a fully permitted development which will be built on a site of approximately 950 acres (385 hectares) located in the north of Long Island. It represents one of the best investment opportunities available within the safety and security of The Bahamas. Permission has been granted for the development of:

224 unit Langham Place 5* Resort Hotel & Spa
Robert Trent Jones II Golf Course & Country Club
640 slip marina
1217 residential units
Mixed use, commercial and retail space

SPONSORSHIP
An impressive team of world class consultants, managers and partners has been assembled in order to bring expertise to every facet of the project. The developer has specifically sought to work with partners who have expertise in key areas of need as well as The Bahamas and top quality, luxury, master planned developments. The following outstanding collaborators have been selected because of their ability to execute the developer�s vision for the project:

Master Planning: EDSA
Environmental Consulting: Islands by Design
Architecture: SB Architects
Project Planning: Mott MacDonald Group
Golf Course Design: Robert Trent Jones II
Hotel Operator: Langham Hotels International
Golf Course Operator: IMG

GOVERNMENTAL ENDORSEMENT
The Bahamas Government has a policy of encouraging one substantial tourist development on each of the Bahamian Islands which has a significant population. Port St. George has been accepted as the major tourist development for Long Island and full approval for the development has been granted by the National Economic Council of the Government of The Bahamas.

Amongst the unique facilities to stimulate all the senses include the award-winning Chuan Spa based on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and the hybrid bar and business lounge concept of Portal � Work & Play � which recognises that today�s independent travellers often must multi-task, work, play and connect with the outside world even when on holiday.

A non-denominational wedding chapel and extensive meetings and banquet facilities complete the range of services at this beautiful white sands beach resort.

Langham Place, Resort + Spa, Port St George, Bahamas will be approximately one hour, by air, from Miami and only three hours from New York, making it the perfect weekend and longer destination for East Coast residents of the United States. The Bahamas is nine hours, by air, from London and western Europe. It remains one of the most popular destinations for European travellers looking for a long annual holiday destination.

About Langham Hotels International & Its Affiliates
Langham has a legendary hotel heritage dating back to 1865 when The Langham in London originally opened as Europe�s first Grand Hotel. For over 140 years, this flagship hotel has been at the forefront of sophisticated and gracious hospitality. Today, all Langham Hotels worldwide inherit the same philosophy that reflects elegance in design, innovation in hospitality, genuine service and captivation of the senses creating a truly unique hotel experience.

The group is pursuing an aggressive portfolio growth strategy using its distinctive brands and affiliate � The Langham, Langham Place and Eaton. Currently 19 hotels, including affiliates, are open or in the pipeline across four continents.

The Langham is where guests can enjoy service with poise and be enchanted by our innovation and traditions while Langham Place, the fun sibling of The Langham, is about living the 21st century through design, technology and attitude, epitomising stimulating and artistic hospitality.

Eaton, a premium affiliate brand, aims to surprise and delight our guests with a value-for-money proposition that delivers a stylish, modern level of comfort with spirited, can-do service. Langham Hotels International is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Great Eagle Holdings (Stock Code: 0041) which was founded in 1963 and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 1972.

Contact:

Sherona Shng
Vice President - Communications
Langham Hotels International
Tel: (852) 3552 3938
Fax: (852) 3552 3902
Email: [email protected]
langhamhotels.com

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Also See:

The Langham, Huntington Hotel & Spa in Pasadena, CA Appoints Jorgen Christensen, Director of Sales & Marketing & Jim O Connell, Director of Sales / June 2009