Asia's leading luxury hotel group, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, announces that 12 of its properties have been presented with the prestigious 2004 Five Star Diamond Award by the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences, in recognition of the hotels' overall excellence in service and outstanding commitment to hospitality.

The 2004 Five Star Diamond Award winners include:
§ China World Hotel, Beijing
§ Pudong Shangri-La, Shanghai
§ The Kerry Centre Hotel, Beijing
§ Shangri-La Hotel, Dalian, China
§ Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong
§ Kowloon Shangri-La, Hong Kong
§ Far Eastern Plaza Hotel, Taipei
§ Makati Shangri-La, Manila
§ Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore
§ Shangri-La Hotel, Jakarta
§ Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur
§ Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok

Formed in 1989, the Academy is governed by a board of internationally renowned trustees that oversees the decision to select the best hotels, restaurants, airlines, cruise ships, chefs and wineries worldwide.

Establishments are visited anonymously and ambience, gastronomy, cleanliness and hospitality are evaluated to ensure that the high standards set by the Academy are continuously maintained.

Commenting on the awards, Shangri-La's chief executive officer and managing director, Giovanni Angelini said: "We are greatly honoured to have received so many Five Star Diamond Awards this year from the distinguished American Academy of Hospitality Sciences. These awards belong to our employees, who truly embody our guiding philosophy of 'Shangri-La Hospitality From Caring People'."

Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts currently manages 42 hotels in Australia, mainland China, Fiji, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates, with a rooms inventory of over 21,000. It has over 20 projects under development in Australia, mainland China, India, Malaysia, Maldives, Dubai, Oman, Qatar and Thailand.