The spiritual stress-free haven of Sound of Siam journey start with 30 minutes of Thai Herbal Steam followed by 30 minutes of natural scrub of Tamarind body blast that helps gently remove dead skin and reveals the skin with natural radiance. Relax with 60 minutes of Thai Herbal Compress that help improving circulation and respiratory function, yet relaxing muscles as well as reduce stress.

Western Rhyme, the total body tuned-ups start with 30 minutes of Aromatic Steam which help relaxing, balancing, and refreshing mind and body. Followed by 30 minutes of Lavender Sea Salt scrub that polishes and smoothes the skin to a glow then relaxing the muscle with 60 minutes of Sport Massage that gently stretching the joints and muscles together with enhances flexibility and induces the state of tranquility.

Both Sound of Siam journey and Western Rhyme journey are at THB 4,500 nett per person and are available until the end of 2009. Package includes use of our Spa pool and relaxation lounge and includes warm ginger tea and fruit refreshment. For more information or reservation, please contact huahin@anantara.com or telephone, +6632 520250

Classic romance. Seaside luxury. Thai traditions.

Tee off as the sun rises over a wide stretch of blue sea on a Hua Hin golf course. Walk in the footsteps of royalty in nearby open-air palaces that wind along the coast. Unwind with an age-old Thai massage and herbal scrub surrounded by lush seaside gardens. Find untold serenity at Anantara Hua Hin.

Located on the Gulf of Siam, this Hua Hin resort feels reminiscent of an ancient Thai village. Thai-inspired interiors invite you to lose yourself in quaint luxury. Lush tropical gardens invite romantic sunset strolls, hand-in-hand. The best of Hua Hin golf courses are within swinging distance, while from this beach resort, Hua Hin the seaside town is easy to explore. Impeccable design, attentive service, and the surrounding tropical gardens make this Hua Hin beach resort one of the most romantic and luxurious hideaways in Southeast Asia.

Nestled in 14 acres of beautifully luxuriant tropical gardens along the beaches of the Gulf of Thailand, Anantara Resort Hua Hin offers a romantic honeymoon hideaway or the ultimate family getaway in the classic seaside town of Hua Hin.

Only a short drive from Bangkok, our Hua Hin resort feels worlds away, with long stretches of golden beach, unforgettable ocean sunrises, Hua Hin’s golf courses – some of the best in Thailand – sailing, water skiing and water sports activities, night markets with Thai arts and crafts, serene Buddhist temples and historic sites winding along the East Coast of Thailand. At this Anantara beach resort, Hua Hin – a cultural and historic vacation destination – stands at the centre of the experience.

Each of the 187 guest rooms in our Hua Hin beach resort features a balcony or terrace with built-in sofas overlooking the tropical gardens. Our spacious Lagoon Rooms feature high ceilings, hardwood floors and bathrooms that open onto the bedroom, with access to the exclusive lagoon pool. For the ultimate in luxury, 12 Anantara Suites combine traditional Thai art with modern design, featuring double balconies, spacious open bathrooms with oversized terracotta tubs for two and upgraded bath amenities from the Anantara Spa.

Guests seeking a pampering Hua Hin resort holiday will be spoiled for choice.  Unwind in one of our two infinity-edged swimming pools. Enjoy a Thai massage or traditional herbal healing at Anantara’s luxurious Hua Hin spa after playing on one of the famous Hua Hin golf courses. Finally, explore a world of cuisines at our seven bars and restaurants, featuring Italian, Thai, fresh-grilled steaks and seafood and mouth-watering fine dining and wines from around the world.

The 100-room Hyatt Regency Oubaai Golf Resort and Spa is part of the 263-hectare Oubaai
Golf Resort, an upscale residential and golf development overlooking the Indian Ocean on
Herolds Bay. Located on the Garden Route, which extends along the Western Cape from Cape
Town to Port Elizabeth, the development also features the country’s first Ernie Els
championship golf course.

Located five minutes from George Airport in an area renowned for its pristine beaches,
indigenous forests and nature reserves, the hotel’s position between the ocean and the majestic
Outeniqua Mountains naturally lent itself to the development of an exclusive resort. In addition
to the Hyatt Regency, the property will also consist of residential villas and apartments, and an
upscale shopping center.

“Hyatt Regency Oubaai Golf Resort and Spa will offer guests a complete holiday experience by
blending Hyatt’s authentic hospitality with exceptional facilities and an unmatched natural
landscape,” said Gebhard Rainer, managing director, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts – Europe, Africa
and the Middle East.

“The hotel’s opening will not only build our presence in Africa, but also will add to our long
history and reputation of international, world-class hotel offerings,” added Rainer.
Accommodation and Design

Leading firms, including QTS – Quadtrisir Architects and LLP – Design, were selected to handle
the interior design of Hyatt Regency Oubaai Golf Resort and Spa. The hotel offers 100 stylish
guestrooms and suites equipped with the latest in communication and entertainment
technology, all featuring spacious bathrooms with glass-enclosed showers and separate baths.

The Presidential Suite, two Executive Suites and six Junior Suites are designed and furnished
to accommodate the requirements of a discerning traveler.

Room sizes range from 45 to 54 sq m (440 to 530 sq ft) for standard rooms. Junior Suites begin
at 96 sq m (870 sq ft to 1,080 sq ft), the Executive Suites are 120 sq m (1,300 sq ft) and the
Presidential Suite is an impressive 191 sq m (1,700 sq ft).

For guests who desire an extra level of personalized service, the hotel offers Regency ClubTM
accommodation. Regency Club guests may utilize the services of a dedicated concierge, and
enjoy a private lounge for complimentary continental breakfast, evening canapés and cocktails.
Regency Club guests will also receive complimentary access to the airport lounge.

Resort Services and Facilities

Freesia Spa at Hyatt Regency Oubaai is a new addition to the collection of Hyatt PureTM spas
around the world, which are all designed to embrace the local culture and provide an authentic
indigenous experience. Returning to the true definition of spa, “sanitas per aquas”, which is
Latin for “healing by waters”, treatments and services promote wellness and renewal. The hotel
also features a state-of-the-art fitness facility.

Hyatt Regency Oubaai Golf Resort and Spa offers guests a range of first-class services,
including airport transfers on request, concierge assistance, babysitting by prior arrangement,
24-hour room service, a business center, wireless Internet access in public areas, and a
dedicated retail center.

Food and Beverage

Guests of the hotel will have a choice of three restaurants, each offering a distinctive and
personal dining experience. The hotel’s Cucina Restaurant, featuring picturesque floor-to-ceiling
windows, a show kitchen, and outdoor seating, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. A large wine
wall accents the private dining room, and a fireplace lounge, adjacent to the restaurant, offers
seating and cocktails.

Located in the village of the resort, the Waterside Bar and Grill serves afternoon snacks as well
as drinks and dinner. The bustling atmosphere here covers an extensive outdoor seating area, a
show kitchen, and an oyster bar counter. A lounge adjacent to the seafood restaurant will offer
cozy seating arrangements, an outdoor terrace and a unique bar, with service available from
indoors and out.

The Visitors’ Clubhouse provides a scenic dining option for breakfast and lunch, with windows
providing stunning views over the mountains and the driving range.

Convention and Meeting Facilities

The hotel offers more than 1,200 sq m (12,900 sq ft) of conference and banqueting space with a
ballroom divisible into two sections, four meeting rooms, and a spacious boardroom. There are
indoor and outdoor pre-function areas as well as multimedia facilities with WiFi connectivity
available in all meeting rooms.

A unique feature of Hyatt Regency Oubaai Golf Resort and Spa is a wedding chapel for guests
who seek a perfect, picturesque location in which to be married.

Recreation and Relaxation

Oubaai is a naturally undisturbed site nestled in the heart of South Africa’s Garden Route. Once
the site of a prehistoric settlement, it is bordered on one side by a river valley, on one side by
the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, and on its two other sides by woodland and natural
vegetation.

Guests can take advantage of the hotel’s location by surfing and fishing in the crystal clear
waters of Herolds Bay Beach and exploring the Oubaai Heritage trail, which offers more than 5
miles of hiking trails.

The resort also features an outdoor swimming pool, a separate children’s wading pool and
access to the Lifestyle Centre, which includes a tennis court, two outdoor swimming pools,
including a heated lap pool, a squash court, and an exercise facility and studio for group
classes.

Other activities to enjoy include bird watching, dolphin and whale watching from the on-site
deck, and tours to nearby wineries.

The development features the first Ernie Els signature golf course in South Africa. The 7,126 yd
(6,516 m) 18-hole links-style golf course was completed four years ago and is fully operational.
In the design, the three-time winner of major championships, Ernie Els, and his team have taken
full advantage of the spectacular landscape. Furthermore, they had the full support of Nicklaus
Design, the privately held company of golf legend Jack Nicklaus and family, which served as
technical advisor on the project.

Special opening rates and packages for the new Hyatt Regency Oubaai Golf Resort and Spa
are available by calling the hotel or a Hyatt Worldwide Reservations Center, or by visiting
www.hyatt.com.

Resort Address and Contact Information
Hyatt Regency Oubaai Golf Resort and Spa
406 Herolds Bay Road
George, 6530
South Africa
Telephone: +27 44 851 1234
Website: www.oubaai.regency.hyatt.com

About Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company
with a proud heritage of making guests feel more than welcome. Thousands of members of the
Hyatt family in 45 countries strive to make a difference in the lives of the guests they encounter
every day by providing authentic hospitality. The company’s subsidiaries manage, franchise,
own and develop hotels and resorts under the Hyatt®, Park Hyatt®, Andaz™, Grand Hyatt®,
Hyatt Regency®, Hyatt Place® and Hyatt Summerfield Suites™ brand names and have
locations under development on five continents. Hyatt Vacation Ownership, Inc., a Hyatt
Hotels Corporation subsidiary, develops and operates vacation ownership properties under
the Hyatt Vacation Club® brand. As of September 30, 2009, the company’s worldwide portfolio
consisted of 415 properties. For more information, please visit www.hyatt.com.

Premier Inn, the UK’s biggest hotel chain, has launched its first hotel in India and announces plans to open nine further hotels in India in the next five years.

Premier Inn is expanding in India to capitalise on the country`s developing business traveller market. Currently there are a limited number of budget hotel brands in India – and this represents an excellent opportunity for Premier Inn, with its strong budget hotel model.

Premier Inn India Managing Director, Aly Shariff, said: “Large Indian corporates, multi-national companies, SME’s and small privately owned firms are the kinds of customers we are targeting – there is a huge and rapidly growing junior and middle management population that represents an excellent opportunity for us. We have planned 10 hotels in five years, with our Bangalore hotel now open, following this will be properties in Delhi (2010) and Pune (2011), as well as looking at other potential sites.”

Patrick Dempsey, Managing Director of Premier Inn UK, said: “India represents one of the fastest growing economies in the world today, and we are confident that Premier Inn will be successful in India. Our strong budget hotel model of great quality combined with excellent value will no doubt be an attractive proposition for business and leisure travellers alike.”

Premier Inn Bengaluru will cater for its guests with 105 rooms, a multi cuisine restaurant, bar, gymnasium and a conference room.

Premier Inn’s development in India comes just 18 months after Premier Inn launched its first international hotel in Dubai. Premier Inn Dubai now has 2 hotels, with the third site opening in December 2009.

Binion’s has been making Las Vegas history since 1951 when Texas gambler, Benny Binion, bought the property at 128 Fremont Street. Benny Binion was a true innovator who understood the wants and needs of downtown Las Vegas visitors: offering a better deal for their money and an experience like no other. Benny pioneered Las Vegas-style customer service installing carpet and air conditioning for the comfort of his players at a time when neither was standard. In addition, he was the first casino owner to provide transportation for his players to and from the airport. In 1970, what began as an intimate poker game with 10 of Benny’s friends evolved into the World Series of Poker that today, is one of the largest and most prestigious poker tournaments in the world. Although the World Series of Poker no longer occurs at the property, Binion’s is still recognized among poker enthusiasts as the place that made poker famous. Las Vegas visitors and locals alike know Binion’s Hall of Fame Poker Room is the ultimate test of their playing skills.

http://www.binions.com/index.php

CITY OF GOLD: VEGAS’ CITYCENTER EARNS SIX LEED® GOLD CERTIFICATIONS FOR HOTELS, RESIDENCES AND RETAIL DISTRICT OPENING THIS DECEMBER
Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas and Veer Towers Awarded LEED® Gold Certification

LAS VEGAS – November 20, 2009 – Affirming its commitment to bring a new level of environmental consciousness to the Las Vegas Strip, CityCenter has earned its fifth and sixth LEED®† Gold ratings from the U.S. Green Building Council with the certification of Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas and Veer Towers. The accomplishment completes the certification process for all CityCenter components opening this December, and marks the highest LEED achievement by any hotel, retail district or residential development in Las Vegas. The 18-million-square-foot metropolis is one of the world’s largest sustainable communities.

“From its inception to design, development and construction, we had one single goal in mind for CityCenter: create a destination that is not only built in an environmentally sustainable manner, but also operates every day with an equal commitment to conserving natural resources,” said Bobby Baldwin, president and CEO, CityCenter. “As we approach CityCenter’s opening next month, now with six LEED Gold recognitions, we’re very close to sharing with the world a remarkable demonstration that a community can be both beautiful and sustainable.”

Due to its size and purchasing power, CityCenter is driving green economies of scale in multiple industry segments, paving the way for other entities to build and operate sustainably. The Forest Stewardship Council-US (FSC-US®) recently honored CityCenter as the best commercial project of 2009 in the fifth annual Designing & Building with FSC Awards. CityCenter’s dedication to the use of sustainably harvested FSC-certified wood products is unprecedented in scale and resulted in a significant market transformation, including multiple wood suppliers receiving their FSC chain of custody certification to supply wood to the development. CityCenter has moved beyond existing green practices to empower industry-wide innovations. Sustainable highlights:
• First energy-generation on The Strip through its 8.5 megawatt natural-gas co-generation plant, providing efficient electricity on site, reducing emissions and using “waste heat” to provide domestic hot water
• World’s first fleet of stretch limos powered by clean-burning compressed natural gas (CNG)
• Water conservation technology and programs that will save between 30% and 43% of water within the buildings and 60% in outdoor landscaping, for an overall savings of approximately 50 million gallons annually
• Energy-efficiency initiatives providing a savings equivalent to powering 8,800 households annually
• Development of slot machine bases that serve as floor air-conditioning units, efficiently cooling guests from the ground up, rather than wasting energy on empty space by cooling from the ceiling
• Creation of a large-scale recycling operation that enabled the recycling or reuse of more than 260,000 tons of construction waste, more than 80% of the imploded Boardwalk Hotel
• Collaborating with the nation’s foremost sustainability and LEED consultants, CityCenter has introduced more than 10,000 construction trade and craftsmen to green building techniques that can be implemented at future developments
• More information on CityCenter’s Green initiatives can be found at: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/mgm/39529/

S. Richard Fedrizzi, President, CEO and Founding Chair, USGBC, said, “From its intense focus on water conservation to the multiple strategies for energy efficiency, the CityCenter team has delivered several exceptional properties that qualify for the LEED Gold rating. Extreme climates challenge the most creative of project teams, and the CityCenter team has risen to the occasion and then some. We congratulate them on their significant achievement.”

Designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox, Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas is the first hotel in the prestigious Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group to receive a LEED rating. A sophisticated sanctuary of modern elegance, Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas will feature 392 rooms and suites and 225 residences. Opening December 4, 2009, the 47-story, non-gaming hotel and residences bring the legendary service of the renowned hotel group to Las Vegas for the first time.
Veer Towers, CityCenter’s only purely residential development, is a masterful translation of energy and excitement into physical form; its two 37-story glass towers shimmer day and night. Inclined at five-degree angles – a feature celebrated by the development’s name – the towers seem to dance with each other. Designed by famed architect Helmut Jahn, each tower will house approximately 335 modern condominium residences. Residential occupancies are slated to begin mid-January 2010.
Tony Dennis, executive vice president, CityCenter Residential Division, said “The LEED Gold certifications of CityCenter’s residential buildings are a brilliant example of sustainable development. In satisfying the growing demand for smart and environmentally responsible living, CityCenter’s green commitment is a meaningful point of pride for our homeowners and an element of value that is as important as our quality and service.”
CityCenter’s LEED certification effort was led by MGM MIRAGE’s Energy and Environmental Services Division along with a recognized group of sustainability consultants including CTG Energetics, Green Building Services, Viridian Energy & Environmental and Fore Solutions and Simon & Associates. CityCenter’s previous LEED Gold awards include ARIA Resort’s hotel tower, ARIA’s convention center and theater, Vdara Hotel & Spa and Crystals.

About CityCenter
CityCenter is an unprecedented urban metropolis opening in December 2009 on 67 acres between Bellagio and Monte Carlo resorts on the Las Vegas Strip. CityCenter is a joint venture between MGM MIRAGE (NYSE: MGM) and Infinity World Development Corp, a subsidiary of Dubai World. CityCenter features ARIA, a 61-story, 4,004-room gaming resort; luxury non-gaming hotels including Las Vegas’ first Mandarin Oriental and Vdara Hotel & Spa; Veer Towers, the development’s only strictly residential buildings; and Crystals, a 500,000-square-foot retail and entertainment district. Vdara, Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas and Veer Towers boast approximately 2,400 residences total. Additionally, The Harmon, a 400-room luxury boutique hotel, is slated to open at CityCenter in late 2010. CityCenter also will feature Viva ELVIS™ by Cirque du Soleil® celebrating the timeless musical legacy of Elvis Presley; and an unparalleled Fine Art Collection with works by acclaimed artists including Maya Lin, Jenny Holzer, Nancy Rubins, Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, among others. CityCenter is a design collaboration between MGM MIRAGE and eight internationally acclaimed architectural firms including Pelli Clarke Pelli, Kohn Pedersen Fox, Helmut Jahn, RV Architecture LLC led by Rafael Viñoly, Foster + Partners*, Studio Daniel Libeskind*, David Rockwell and Rockwell Group, and Gensler. At the forefront of sustainability, the 18-million-square-foot metropolis is one of the world’s largest green communities. CityCenter has earned LEED® Gold certification for ARIA, Vdara, Crystals, Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas and Veer Towers, marking the highest LEED achievement by any hotel, retail district or residential development in Las Vegas. The Harmon also is pursuing LEED certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.
For more information about CityCenter, please visit www.citycenter.com.

† The LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high-performance green buildings. The ‘LEED Certification Mark’ is a registered trademark owned by the U.S. Green Building Council and is used by permission.

* As a consultant to AAI Architects, Inc.

Amersfoort (NL), 12 October 2009; Golden Tulip Hospitality Group is proud to announce the latest addition to its Dutch hotel portfolio: the Golden Tulip Noordwijk Beach.

Golden Tulip Noordwijk Beach Hotel

Golden Tulip Hospitality Group and Golden Green hotels will strengthen their cooperation by signing a new franchise agreement. Golden Tulip Noordwijk Beach will be the fifth Golden Green, positioned on the market as Golden Tulip hotel. Other Golden Tulip hotels owned by Golden Green hotels are Golden Tulip Leiden Centre, Tulip Inn Leiden Centre, Golden Tulip Zoetermeer Center and Tulip Inn Zoetermeer Centre.

Golden Tulip Noordwijk Beach, a former Accor hotel, is centrally situated at the boulevard of Noordwijk, at 20 meter distance from the beach. The hotel has 82 rooms which will all be renovated by the beginning of 2010. Besides a restaurant and modern conference facilities, the hotel also features a beautiful indoor swimming pool with sauna, whirlpool and Jacuzzi.

Haike Blaauw, Senior Vice President Franchise Operations Golden Tulip, comments: “We are very pleased to welcome this new hotel to our group. This expansion symbolizes our successful relationship with Golden Green hotels. Golden Tulip Noordwijk Beach complements our existing portfolio, offering business and leisure guests yet another exciting destination in the Netherlands.”

Willem Gossens, Director of Operations Golden Green hotels, adds: “Golden Tulip Noordwijk Beach is the fifth hotel for which we have signed a franchise agreement with Golden Tulip. The success of Golden Tulip & Tulip Inn Zoetermeer Center and Golden Tulip & Tulip Inn Leiden Center has convinced us that branding this hotel as Golden Tulip hotel, will add value to the market and will result in an increase of turnover. Due to synergies with Golden Tulip in distribution, reservations and sales & marketing, the benefits for our five Golden Tulip hotels will be massive. Noordwijk welcomes the new Golden Tulip Noordwijk Beach, and is excited with the many opportunities of this hotel!”

About Golden Green Hotels
Golden Green Hotels is a dynamic company, founded in 1992 by Cor van Duijn. Today the group consists of 5 multi-branded hotels in the mid scale market segments, located in Leiden, Noordwijk and Zoetermeer.

The basic principle of this hotel management company is that the decisive ingredients for the satisfaction of the guests are the atmosphere and the service of a hotel. That is why these two aspects are of constant attention to the staff of the joining hotels.
Specific for the group its strategy is the ownership of both hotel properties and hotel operation. Further growth of the group is scheduled for 2010, which will be realized by increasing the room number of existing hotels and expansion of the portfolio with a new opening in the Leiden region.

About Golden Tulip Hospitality Group
With nearly 50 years experience as hotel franchisor, Golden Tulip Hospitality Group (www.goldentulip.com), with its head office in Amersfoort, Netherlands, is a worldwide hospitality company offering services in the mid- upper- and luxury scales to over 230 hotels representing 27.000 rooms in more than 40 countries.

The 3 brands present in Europe, the Middle East & Africa, the Asian Pacific Region and the Americas, promise International Standard of services and facilities throughout hotels which retrain their own unique flavours and personality.

Tulip Inn are three-star properties in convenient locations usually in city centres or close to major access routes. Each hotel benefits from its regional situation, but they all provide comfortable and functional accommodation along with friendly service. All hotels are designed to offer business and leisure travellers an exceptional value for money.

Golden Tulip are four-star properties by means of modern facilities, personal service and international standards of comfort. Each hotel offers its own individual character, whilst reflecting the flavours of its location. The hotels enjoy a perfect situation in business or leisure destination, aiming to exceed guest expectations.

Royal Tulip encompasses five-star properties offering the most elegant and luxurious facilities with a deluxe level of comfort and delicate service. Situated in gateway city centres and business districts, all hotels are equipped with ultra-modern amenities to ensure an exceptional stay. Royal Tulip hotels provide the discerning traveller with security, exclusivity and discrete excellence.

Since the signing of a commercial alliance with Louvre Hotels group, representing the Premiere Classe, Campanile, Kyriad and Kyriad prestige brands, the total portfolio combine 1072 hotels representing 83.000 rooms and covering all hotel categories, creating the 8th biggest hotel chain worldwide.

Noordwijk is a modern village in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland, with a rich history . Situated at the seaside. It is the energetic heart of the famous bulb-growing region, with an eyecatching 13 km of fantastic sandy beaches. The village also boasts bustling boulevards, an old friendly town centre, rugged dunes and magnificent woodlands. It’s the best place to be for a relaxed break, a business meeting  or a wonderful holiday. This hospitable seaside resort with excellent restaurants  , events and a lively entertainment scene is never boring. Moreover the cities of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Leiden and the Hague are to be found within a 40km radius. There are plenty of options for a day out before returning to this delightful sea-side: Noordwijk is not only captivating, but tempts one to stay!

The municipality of Noordwijk consists of the communities Noordwijk aan Zee and Noordwijk-Binnen, separated by a narrow green belt. Besides its beaches, Noordwijk is also known for its bulb flower fields. It is located in an area called the “Dune and Bulb Region” (Duin- en Bollenstreek). Noordwijk is also the location of the headquarters for the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC), part of the European Space Agency (ESA). ESA’s visitors’ centre Space Expo is a permanent space exhibition.

http://corporate.goldentulip.com/pressroom/news.aspx?id=280&NewsLanguage=EN&year=&pageAt=1

http://www.noordwijk.info/EN.aspx

Taj Exotica has applied a range of initiatives to reduce its carbon foot print, whilst ensuring that guests continue to experience a high level of comfort, luxury accommodation, culinary offerings, spa and recreational facilities, as well impeccable service – an international hallmark of the Taj group.

Taj Exotica has meticulously analysed the maintenance of energy efficiency, water management, air quality and handling of noxious substances across the resort.

The property is one of very few in the Maldives to have installed a unique hot water system, which instead of using electric geysers, uses three DG sets (Diesel Generator Cooking Paths) to assist in heat recovery and reduce diesel output. Taj Exotica invested in the installation of insulated pipes all around the island, pumping the water around at a constant pressure of 2kg. The result is an annual saving of 109500 litres of diesel.

In the area of water consumption, the property has activated a rain water harvesting system with the yearly collection of 896000 liters. Taj Exotica boasts a bottling plant on site. The ‘Classic Crystal’ tropical bottling system, produces both sparkling and still water and reuses glass bottles, thus saving on the usage of tens of thousands of plastic bottles each year. It should also be noted that the trees and plants, including Jade Tree, Sea Hibiscus and Malikuruva rose, located on Emboodhu Finolhu island, are endemic species and do not require any additional watering. This saves the resort an extra requirement of 10,000 litres of water per day.

These are some of the key initiatives, that, along with the recycling of metal (which is rare in the Maldives), have resulted in a daily saving of 1,045,987 watts of energy and a 22% reduction in daily carbon dioxide emission.

The commitment of the staff to the principles of environment sustainability has been recognised and endorsed by the prestigious Green Globe Certified Silver Status – the second highest level of Green Globe’s benchmarking, certification and performance improvement system in the travel and tourism industry.

In addition to the sustainable operation of the property, Taj Exotica prides itself in offering the only dive centre in the Maldives which is a PADI Project AWARE ECO Operator & Official Partner. All eco operators and official partners are selected to demonstrate a commitment to conservation, whilst providing their clients with experiences which will enhance the visitor awareness, appreciation and understanding of the environment.

Taj Exotica is spread across a pristine beach and over one of the largest lagoons in the Maldives, offering sixty two luxury villas. Heralded for its culinary offerings, guests can choose to dine in one of the resorts’ restaurants, experience 24 hour in-villa dining valet services or choose any location around the island for a memorable al fresco private dining experience. Whether it’s dining on the new Ocean pavilion, suspended over the Indian Ocean or experiencing a Champagne Sunset on a sandbank in the middle of a lagoon, Taj Exotica Resort & Spa promises to cater for every taste.

The pièce de resistance is the Jiva Grande Spa – a private island sanctuary offering a range of Indian wellness signature treatments and rituals. Only 15 minutes by a private luxury speedboat, from Malé International Airport, Taj Exotica is accessible, exclusive and eco aware – a feasible paradox in these uncertain times.

Prices at Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Maldives start from £1761 GBP per person, travelling with Kuoni in July 2009, based on two adults sharing a room for seven nights including international return flights with Sri Lankan Airlines.
About Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces (www.tajhotels.com)
Established in 1903, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces is one of Asia’s largest and finest group of hotels, comprising 65 hotels in 45 locations across India with an additional 15 international hotels in the Maldives, Malaysia, Australia, UK, USA, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Africa and the Middle East and South Africa. From world-renowned landmarks to modern business hotels, idyllic beach resorts to authentic Rajput palaces, each Taj hotel offers an unrivalled fusion of warm Indian hospitality, world-class service and modern luxury. The Taj, a symbol of Indian hospitality, has recently completed the centenary of its landmark hotel, The Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, Mumbai. Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces is part of the Tata Group, India’s premier business house.