Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts, the
midscale, full-service brand that is part of Minneapolis-based Carlson Hotels
Worldwide, today announced plans to open its first South American property
in Brazil.  São Paulo, Brazil-based Atlantica Hotels International is the development
partner expected to introduce the brand to the Brazilian market as Park
Suites in July 2004, when it converts an existing hotel.  Atlantica Hotels is
the largest multi-brand hotel operator in Latin America and the largest
independent management company in Brazil.

“This is an important acquisition to Atlantica Hotels’ portfolio, mainly for the
launch of the Park Plaza product in Brazil, since the property’s facilities
represents the brand’s standards and is located in one of the most desired
address,” says Paul Sistare, president and CEO of Atlantica Hotels
International.  “The Vila Ol’mpia neighborhood, the city’s newest commercial
center, is a concentration of new office buildings and offers a wide variety of
nightlife entertainment options - including fashionable restaurants, bars and
nightclubs,” he added.

“The Park Plaza product, which enjoys a strong international reputation, is an
excellent alternative for international travelers looking for consistency and
outstanding product quality in a competitive environment,” said Sam
Winterbottom, executive vice president of development for Carlson Hotels
Worldwide. 

The arrival of Park Suites brand to the Brazilian market, and more specifically
to São Paulo, marks an important entry into one of the most important
business capitals in Latin America. According to the city’s Convention & 
Visitors Bureau, São Paulo receives nearly 7 million visitors annually - the vast
majority being business travelers. 

According to Mr. Sistare, Atlantica expects to announce additional Park Plaza
products in key cities in Brazil prior to the end of the year. 
The Park Suites ITC São Paulo will offer 308 well-appointed guestrooms with
full bathrooms, cable TV, Internet access, over-sized work stations, business
center, three flexible meeting rooms with capacity for 150 persons, a
conference center that accommodates up to 250 people, 24-hour room
service, parking for 350 vehicles and an international cuisine restaurant. 

The hotel will also have a heliport to help business travelers get quickly to
and from both the international and domestic airports or around the city.  São
Paulo ranks second to New York for its frequency of private helicopter travel. 

The property also offers guestrooms especially adapted for disabled guests
and an exclusive women’s floor, designed to welcome business women with
customized facilities, amenities and security. 

The Park Suites ITC São Paulo includes a leisure area equipped with an indoor
and out door swimming pool, sauna and fitness center.  Two restaurants
serve the hotel including the regionally known Vienna Restaurant. 

The Park Suites ITC São Paulo represents the third Carlson brand being
developed by Atlantica Hotels in Brazil. In December 2001, the company
launched the Radisson Faria Lima, located in one of São Paulo’s most
sophisticated neighborhoods. Its management has brought excellent results
and, recently, integrated the selected group of President’s Award winners. 
Atlantica Hotels has also announced, in partnership with the construction
company Metacom, the opening of the first Park Inn in South America, which
will be constructed until 2006 in Campinas with a population of 1.6 million
people in the state of São Paulo.
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