Shanghai group appoints Jumeirah to manage Shanghai's leading hotel development, at Xintiandi.

Jumeirah manager of the world famous Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai, has been appointed by Shanghai Lixing Hotel Limited, a joint venture between Shanghai Hotel Investments Limited and Shui On Private Group, to manage Shanghai's most prominent and prestigious new hotel development in the downtown Luwan District.  The project brings to reality the vision of Leo Koguan, Chairman of Shanghai Lixing and through the appointment of Jumeirah creates a partnership of excellence. This partnership is expected to redefine the luxury hotel standard in China.

HanTang Jumeirah Shanghai will be part of Xintiandi, the exciting food & beverage, retail and entertainment component of a master-planned 52 hectare development in the heart of downtown Puxi, Shanghai, which will encompass prestigious office space, high-end residential complexes and quality retail facilities.

The luxury hotel, designed by New York based Kohn Pedersen Fox Architects and Japanese interior design firm Super Potato, will feature 338 spacious guestrooms, suites and villas, extensive, state-of-the-art conference & banqueting facilities as well as a luxury spa. The hotel will also feature unique food & beverage concepts that will reflect the commitment to quality and innovation that will be evident throughout the development. The hotel is scheduled to open in mid 2008.

Shanghai is considered to be one of the world's most vibrant and progressive cities, striving to become one of the most prominent financial centers in the world. The unique nature of this development will further enhance the destination's global standing and will create a memorable experience for both business and leisure travellers to the city.

This management agreement with Shanghai Lixing follows Jumeirah's recent announcement of its intention to accelerate its portfolio growth, and closely follows the group's entry into the North American market with the launch of Jumeirah Essex House in New York on January 15th this year.

Leo Koguan, Chairman of Shanghai Lixing commented: "Life is magical and precious, therefore we have to celebrate life. I am delighted to partner up with Jumeirah and together we will redefine the meaning of luxury. We will treat each of our guests as a VIP and provide facilities that enable them to celebrate his or her life to the maximum."

Gerald Lawless, CEO of Jumeirah commented: "We feel privileged to have been appointed by Shanghai Lixing to manage this luxury hotel in the heart of downtown Shanghai, China's primary commercial city, and are proud to be associated with such a high profile and prestigious development." He added: "The essence of Jumeirah can be expressed in two words – ‘Stay Different' – and we believe that this hotel development represents a unique opportunity to create one of the world's greatest and most individual hospitality experiences."