MIAMI, FL (May 22, 2001) � Renovations and upgrades from owners and partners of Bass Hotels & Resorts (BHR) [LON:BAS, NYSE:BAS (ADR)] upscale division properties throughout Latin America, have totaled more than US$175 million over the past three years, announced Alvaro Diago, Area President, Bass Hotels & Resorts Latin America.  

The renovation of the properties, consisting of Inter-Continental and Crowne Plaza brands, reaffirms the commitment by BHR�s partners in the region to afford guests the highest quality product and services.  BHR is Latin America�s largest international hotel company.  

�BHR has been aggressively expanding its portfolio in the region over the past 24 months,� said Diago.  �While most of the new BHR properties were mid-scale Holiday Inn products, we were simultaneously working with the owners of our upscale Inter-Continental and Crowne Plaza hotels to ensure the consistency and modernization of those properties.  The result is the most well-rounded, multiple-brand hotel portfolio in the region.�

�Our franchisees and partners in the region have made a significant investment in modernizing and expanding their properties,� he continues.  �With a 43% increase in properties last year, coupled with these renovations, BHR is now the definitive hotel company in the region, with more properties, more hotel rooms, and more facilities in more countries, than any other hotel company in Latin America.�

The changes vary greatly from property to property, but include the construction of additional rooms, new convention centers, complete renovations, and significant technological upgrades, such as the addition of high-speed internet access. 

Key points of each property�s renovations follow on a hotel-by-hotel basis:

Argentina
Crowne Plaza Panamericano Buenos Aires 

• The hotel doubled in size from 200 to 400 rooms with the addition of a second tower.
• New tower has 14 meeting rooms.

Brazil Inter-Continental Rio  The convention center was remodeled and enlarged.  ISDN lines were installed enabling real time image transmission and video conferencing, allowing for more sophisticated events to take place in the hotel. The renovation also included the installation of digital telephone lines.

Hotel Inter-Continental Rio Av Prefeito Mendes de Morais 222 São Conrado Rio de Janeiro Brazil

• The lobby, lobby bar, and reception area were completely remodeled.
• The conventions area was expanded, as well as the hotel�s outside arrival/departure area.
• Guest rooms were remodeled and a new telephone system was installed.
• Helipad is under construction.

• A new tower with 200 new rooms, added to the existing 103.  
• A new 1500 square meter convention center was built.

• Total interior and exterior rehab of property.
• Technological upgrades, providing Internet access in guest rooms.

• Complete guest room renovation.
• Renovation of all food & beverage outlets.

• The Hotel Inter-Continental Convention Center, located adjacent to the hotel, opened last October, and includes a 4000sqm state-of-the-art facility with capacity up to 2000 people. 
• Conversion of 7th and 8th floors into Club Inter-Continental floors, 9th floor into Club Inter-Continental Lounge.
• The hotel lobby, pool and kitchen are currently under renovation.

• Construction of new Club Inter-Continental floors and lounge
• Guest room renovations. 
• The Presidential Suite, the Executive Meeting Center, the restaurant and bar were also remodeled.

• Guest room were completely renovated. 
• Lobby, meeting rooms and fitness center were remodeled.

• A new Casino will be added to the hotel.
• Renovation of the pool area, the fitness center.
• New convention and meeting center in progress.
• Addition of a Club Inter-Continental floor.