NEW YORK, June 8, 2010 - Thompson Hotels, an elite collection of service and design-driven hotels in major urban centers, has proudly announced its transatlantic expansion with the planned addition of Belgraves, a Thompson Hotel to its portfolio.  In a joint venture with The Harilela Group, Belgraves is scheduled to open in summer 2011 in London's affluent and international Belgravia neighborhood, featuring bold interior architecture and design by acclaimed British designer, Tara Bernerd and architectural design by EPR Architects.  The 85-room hotel will include an 80-seat signature restaurant, an intimate library bar and a fitness center, offering a seductive oasis in the heart of Central London.  The chic and eclectic lobby is set to become a second home for both hotel guests and London's glitterati alike.

"Our first hotel, 60 Thompson in NY, was ideologically based on the intimacy of British hotels," said Jason Pomeranc, co-owner of Thompson Hotels.  "They have always been an inspiration to our brand, particularly those of London, and the British traveler has been very supportive of our US hotels.  London is a natural transition for the Thompson brand.  The opening of Belgraves brings us full circle." 

Blending traditional British hospitality with an American bohemian attitude, Belgraves will interpret the Thompson luxury experience in London, joining the on-going creative movement in design, dining and art that is currently forging the "new Britannia".

"Thompson Hotels is known for offering unique experiences and first-rate service in stylish, urban areas," said Stephen Brandman, co-owner of Thompson Hotels.  "I am delighted to extend this reputation to the European market.  Whether staying at Thompson LES or Smyth in NY, the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in LA or Belgraves in London, guests will rest assured that they will receive the same high level of service that defines the Thompson brand."

Business and leisure travelers will delight in Belgraves' attention to privacy, personalized amenities and thoughtful design.  Working closely with progressive interior architect and designer, Tara Bernerd, Thompson Hotels has set out to create a luxurious home away from home in the desirable Belgravia district, just minutes from London's renowned shops, sites and the bustling Sloane Square.

"Belgraves is iconic for location alone.  Combining this with the opportunity of working with the forward-thinking and design-savvy Thompson Hotels, has magnified the appeal of the project and allows us all as a team to create a very seductive hotel," commented Tara Bernerd.  "We intend on creating a rich, eclectic and tactile design that combines traditional elegance with a modern architectural language."

"Thompson Hotels has a style that London is calling for," said Dr. Aron Harilela.  "There is a niche in the market that is waiting to be filled and I believe we have found the perfect match.  I am confident that bringing Thompson Hotels to the heart of Belgravia in creating Belgraves, we will reinvigorate the area, giving Londoners what they have been looking for and international travelers a slice of the new London."

Belgraves, a Thompson Hotel (formerly the Sheraton Belgravia Hotel) is located at 20 Chesham Place, London, SW1.  For more information on Thompson Hotels, please visit www.thompsonhotels.com. 

Thompson Hotels
Thompson Hotels is a hospitality company with a portfolio of small, elite hotels including 60 Thompson in New York City, Hotel Sax in Chicago and Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles.  The company has expanded extensively through the more recent openings in New York city including Gild Hall in the Financial District, Six Columbus in Midtown Manhattan, Thompson LES on the Lower East Side, Smyth in Tribeca, as well as Thompson Beverly Hills in Los Angeles and Donovan House inWashington, D.C. Developments will continue internationally with the opening of Thompson Toronto in 2010 and Belgraves inLondon in 2011.  Thompson Hotels is a partnership among Larry, Michael and Jason Pomeranc and Stephen Brandman.

The Harilela Group
The Harilela Group is a Hong-Kong based, family-owned company with over thirty-eight years of experience in the investment and development of hotels in Hong Kong, the Far East, Europe and Australia.  The Group's strategy is based on making its hotels and hospitality related ownerships the preferred choice for the guests, producing financial returns for shareholders and in turn, increasing distribution and returns on the properties. The Group first diversified its interests into hotels in 1961 with the acquisition of Imperial Hotel, Hong Kong.  The portfolio now includes: Holiday Inn hotels - SixContinents Hotels; Sheraton and Westin (Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.); and the Group's very own limited service brand, Ambassador Hotel Services Pte Ltd, operating at one of the world's leading airport - Singapore Changi Airport.

Tara Bernerd
British Designer, Tara Bernerd heads design at established interior architecture practice, Target Living and has recently launched Tara Bernerd & Partners, a vehicle for the company's latest international and high end bespoke projects.  Bernerd's business interests continue to grow, working increasingly on a global platform.  Key clients include the Olayan Foundation,Henderson Land, Thompson Hotels, Grosvenor Asia, Blackstone, The Crown Estate, and Marco Pierre White, amongst a list of luxury brands.

EPR Architects
EPR Architects provides a comprehensive architectural design service. This encompasses urban design, masterplanning, planning supervision and architecture for major office, retail, leisure, residential, hotel, industrial  and other commercial projects.  From offices in London, design work includes new buildings and the refurbishment/restructuring or restoration of older buildings, in both the private and public sectors. Over the past 50 years, EPR has completed many outstanding and distinctive buildings across the UK and Europe. EPR is best known for its modern approach to building design, incorporating sustainable and environmental practices, which have made a significant impact in London and elsewhere.