Jumeirah will manage the first new luxury resort to be built in Bermuda, in 35 years, pending approval by government agencies.

With contemporary, innovative design and the highest levels of amenities, the Jumeirah Southlands Resort will dramatically raise global awareness of Jumeirah as it brings a new standard of luxury resort experience to one of the most enduringly popular vacation destinations in the Americas.

The resort, opening in mid-2008, will play a key role in Jumeirah's ambitious plans to grow its international portfolio of luxury hotels and resorts to 40 by the end of 2009. The Dubai-based group's properties, including Burj Al Arab, the world's most luxurious hotel, and six other luxury hotels and resorts in Dubai, are among the most innovative and iconic in the world, having won numerous international travel and tourism awards. The international expansion, which targets many of the world's most sought-after leisure and business destinations, already includes two luxury hotels in London, the Jumeirah Carlton Tower and the Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel and the Jumeirah Essex House in New York. Other projects currently under development worldwide include the HanTang Jumeirah Shanghai; The Jumeirah Private Island Resort, Phuket Thailand; and the Jumeirah Hotel at Beetham Tower in London; the Jumeirah Dubai Towers in Doha, Qatar; Saraya Aqaba in Jordan; and additional properties in Dubai -- all scheduled to open over the next four years.

Announcing the management agreement in Bermuda, Gerald Lawless, Executive Chairman of Jumeirah Group, said, "Bermuda is one of the most enduringly popular luxury leisure destinations in the Americas. The standards and expectations set by the tourism industry and government are beyond compare and we are privileged to be appointed to manage this resort. Jumeirah hotels and resorts are distinguished by their innovation, exceptional standards of service and amenities, and their global respect. All of these factors were taken into consideration in deciding to join Southlands in this extraordinary opportunity."

"Jumeirah Southlands will be an exceptional resort by any standards, fully competitive with the very finest in the world. For the North American market, it represents a unique new choice for anyone seeking a one-of-a-kind, top-of-the-line resort experience," said Frank van der Post, Senior Vice President of the Americas for Jumeirah. He added that construction will begin as soon as the Special Development order and the appropriate building permits are issued.

Speaking for the resort's Bermudian owners, Craig Christensen said, "Jumeirah Southlands will be one of the most exciting resorts in the world. Because we are fully committed to making this a resort all Bermuda can be proud of and will benefit from, we have gone to extremes to seek out the most innovative architects, the very finest designers working in the global resort industry and what we believe to be the world's best hotel company."

Situated on 37 acres of natural beauty on Bermuda's prestigious South Shore, Jumeirah Southlands will have 300 spacious balcony suites, including 17 incomparable two-story suites built into beach cliffs, as well as five restaurants and bars, a nightclub and outdoor entertainment space, a complete spa, over 1,700 feet of beach, numerous pools, an executive conference center and an equestrian center. There will also be a collection of luxury boutiques on-property. Approximately half the accommodations will be offered for fractional Vacation Residence ownership.

In design and ambiance, Jumeirah Southlands will be a bold statement for Bermuda and appeal to a new generation of inquisitive, sophisticated world travelers.

Seamlessly incorporated into nature by the extensive use of glass and seemingly endless vistas are a series of dramatically 21st century structures, stairways and open plazas that encompass the suites, ridge-top town houses overlooking the ocean, restaurants and other public areas. The resort will be ideally located 15 minutes from Hamilton, Bermuda's capital and 30 minutes from the airport.