GÉRARD SINTÈS APPOINTED GENERAL MANAGER OF MANDARIN ORIENTAL, BARCELONA

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has announced that Gérard Sintès will succeed Luis Marcó as General Manager of Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona with effect from 1 April 2010. Mr Marcó is retiring after a 45-year career in the hospitality industry. Mr Sintès, who has almost 30 years of experience in the global luxury hospitality industry, joins Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona from One & Only Cape Town where he held the position of General Manager and was responsible for the hotel opening in 2009. He has held senior management positions in many award-winning properties around the globe, including the role of General Manager at One &Only Le Saint Géran Hotel, Spa & Golf Club in Mauritius from 1999 to 2005. Mr Sintès has also gained significant experience with management postings in Asia, including the position of General Manager of Shangri La, Bangkok from 2005 to 2008. A French national, he is a graduate of Lausanne Hotel School and as well as his native language is fluent in Spanish and English. Christoph Mares, Director of Operations, Europe, Middle East & Africa for Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group said: “Luis’ Marcó’s vast experience and commitment was instrumental in ensuring a highly successful launch of our new Barcelona property. On behalf of all my colleagues at Mandarin Oriental, I would like to thank Luis for his tireless dedication to the Group and wish him a very happy retirement.” “At the same time, we welcome Gérard Sintès to Mandarin Oriental. I am confident he will build on the early successes of Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona. With his extensive international experience of operating luxury hotels around the world, he will be ideally placed to further position this hotel as one of the best in Southern Europe,” added Mr Mares. About Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group’s first hotel in Southern Europe; Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona is an elegant, contemporary establishment in the heart of the avant-garde city’s celebrated Passeig de Gràcia. Located in a renovated mid-20th century building, 98-room Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona, offers exceptional Mandarin Oriental services and facilities within an exquisite interior created by world renowned Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola. About Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the world's most prestigious hotels, resorts and residences. Mandarin Oriental now operates, or has under development, 42 hotels representing over 10,000 rooms in 26 countries, with 17 hotels in Asia, 14 in The Americas and 11 in Europe and North Africa. In addition, the Group operates, or has under development, 14 Residences at Mandarin Oriental, connected to the Group’s properties. Photography of Mandarin Oriental is available to download, in high and low resolution, in the Photo Library of our Media section, at www.mandarinoriental.com. For further information, please contact: Agency Contact Henrietta Carnegy (henrietta@annscott.co.uk) Ann Scott Associates Tel: 020 7823 9988 Katerina Panayotopoulou (katerina@annscott.co.uk) Ann Scott Associates Tel: 020 7823 9988 Corporate Office Jill Kluge (jillk@mohg.com) Group Communications – Global Tel: 020 7908 7810 Catherine Roberts (croberts@mohg.com) Group Communications - Europe Tel: 020 7908 7812