Regent Hotels & Resorts Announces First Development in Latin America

PAPAGAYO, COSTA RICA – (Nov. 21, 2006) – Regent Hotels & Resorts, a global leader in the luxury segment of the hotel industry, today, announced a major expansion in the Latin American market with a 150-room, five-star luxury resort to be constructed in La Punta Papagayo, Costa Rica. The property is being developed by Minnesota-based Kirchert Pakonen Development, LLC and is expected to open in early 2009. It is one of ten new projects announced by the Regent luxury hotel group over a two-year period.

Joining in the announcement today were the president of Costa Rica Oscar Arias Sanchez, Mark Conroy, president of Regent and Blaine Kirchert and Rich Pakonen of Kirchert Pakonen Development. “We’re thrilled to be working with Kirchert Pakonen and are excited to be expanding the Regent hotel brand with developers who share our vision and passion for the luxury standards which it represents,” said Conroy. “Latin America is an important market for us and aligns with our strategy to add resorts in the world’s most desirable leisure destinations.”

Designed by acclaimed architect Ronald Zürcher of Zürcher Arquitectos de Costa Rica and heralded, by Costa Rica President Oscar Arias Sanchez, as one of the country’s most significant development projects, La Punta Papagayo Resort comprises a five-star hotel, villas, estate homes and a retail village. Built on the Pacific coast of Guanacaste province in northwest Costa Rica, the resort will be nestled within dramatic cliffs overlooking the Gulf of Papagayo and the Bay of Colebra. The hotel is located only 20 minutes from Liberia International Airport.

The resort will feature an exceptional array of personalized services and amenities, world-class dining, exotic and traditional spa services, and sparkling white sand beaches. Amenities at the resort will include a helipad, plasma televisions and DVDs, high thread-count linens, Egyptian cotton towels, private balconies with plunge pools and in-room dining.

As with every Regent hotel, the property will embrace The Regent Experience SM, a corporate promise to guests of immersion in local culture, luxury for all the senses, attention to detail and highly personalized and anticipatory service.

Resort guests will have access to three distinct restaurants, including a signature world-class restaurant under the direction of an internationally acclaimed chef.

The Regent Papagayo will also feature a destination spa and wellness center, offering stunning views of the ocean, jungle and lush green ravines. Treatment rooms shaped like tree houses and custom-designed spa suites add to the uniqueness of this world-class spa.

The resort offers two white sand beaches nestled in protective coves, making them ideal for sunning, swimming and beachcombing.

The Regent Papagayo is the only resort in the area to offer an on-premise retail village that is open to guests and non-guests alike. The village will feature distinctive retail boutiques, art galleries and local artisan wares. Guests will also enjoy a gourmet market offering wines, cheese and specialty foods from around the world.

Over the next two years, the Regent brand will double its portfolio with the addition of seven new hotels. Regent’s existing portfolio encompasses six properties in the cities of Shanghai, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Taipei, Berlin and Zagreb. In late 2006, The Regent South Beach and The Regent Beijing will open. Developments in the U.S. will continue in 2007 with the addition of The Regent Palms, Turks & Caicos, the opening of The Regent Bal Harbour, in Fla., and The Regent Boston at Battery Wharf. Future Regent developments in Asia, Europe and the Middle East include properties in Bangkok, Thailand; Beijing and Ningbo, China; Dubrovnik, Croatia; and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. For more information on Regent, visit www.theregentexperience.com.

For development inquiries, please contact Carlson Hotels Worldwide Development at 800-336-3301 or email Bill Sipple, corporate vice president of Carlson Hotels Worldwide full service hotels, at bsipple@carlson.com

The Regent brand is a global leader in the luxury segment of the hospitality industry, encompassing hotels, resorts, residences and cruises worldwide.  Renowned for its dedication to customer service, Regent provides discerning guests with personalized and innovative hospitality through The Regent Experience, designed to continuously exceed expectations.  Regent Hotels & Resorts properties are developed globally with Singapore-based Carlson Hotels Asia Pacific; and Brussels-based Rezidor Hotel Group, which is developing Regent Hotels & Resorts in Europe, the Middle East and Africa  Regent Hotels and Regent Seven Seas Cruises are both part of Carlson Companies, a world leader in the hotel, cruise, restaurant, travel and marketing industries.   For more information on Regent, visit www.theregentexperience.com.