Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts today announced the addition of Le Meridien Versailles - Montreal to its growing portfolio of international properties. The deluxe 15-story hotel, formerly known as the Hotel Versailles, is the second Canadian property for London-based Le Meridien, which owns and manages the historic `grande dame` of Toronto, Le Royal Meridien King Edward. Located in one of the city`s most desirable districts, Le Meridien Versailles - Montreal will continue to be owned and managed by Hampshire Hotels & Resorts Group LLC, while Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts has a license agreement with the property and will oversee its global sales, marketing and support efforts.

`The cosmopolitan and vibrant city of Montreal, Quebec has been on the top of our priority list for growth`, said Juergen Bartels, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts. `Le Meridien Versailles is a welcome addition to our international portfolio and we look forward to working with Hampshire Hotels & Resorts to increasing the hotel`s global customer base.`

Vikram Chhatwal, a former investment banker who is now Vice President of Hampshire`s boutique hotel division added, `We are very excited to be collaborating with a prestigious hotel chain such as Le Meridien. We feel their luxurious product, high standards of service, and sense of innovation are a perfect match for our boutique property in Montreal. We certainly look forward to being involved in more projects together.`

Situated just 20 minutes from Dorval International Airport on Sherbrooke Street West in Montreal`s “Golden Square Mile” of high-end shopping and commerce, Le Meridien Versailles - Montreal is a true reflection of the city`s spirit of joie de vivre. The Versailles, which originally opened in 1989, maintains the small and intimate elegance of a “boutique” hotel. Together with its sister property, Ch‰teaux Versailles, which is also owned by Hampshire Hotels & Resorts, Le Meridien Versailles - Montreal underwent a $12.5 million Canadian ($7.9 million US) renovation from 1998-2000 at the behest of Vikram Chhatwal.

Contemporarily chic and infused with European flair, Le Meridien Versailles - Montreal has 106 guestrooms, including two Presidential suites on the Penthouse level, 21 Junior Suites and two Executive floors, all tastefully decorated with sleek elegance and modern comforts by Montreal designer Stephanie Kouri. All rooms feature a working desk with data port, dual-line phones with voice mail; cable television with in-room movies and Nintendo; CD player; in-room safe deposit box, coffee maker and mini-bar; full bathrooms with custom bath products from Quebec-based Fruits et Passion; iron and ironing board; luxurious bathrobe and hair dryer; same-day dry cleaning and laundry service.

The recently opened 125-seat Restaurant-Bar la Ma”tresse has turned Le Meridien Versailles - Montreal into one of the city`s choicest dining spots. The eye-catching avant-garde bistro-style interior, which includes a forty-foot illuminated onyx bar, neon-lit “bleeding” mirrors and royal purple colour scheme was created by well-known designer Michael Joannidis. The distinctive atmosphere is complimented by a signature “cuisine du marché” of seasonal delicacies and fresh ingredients. Full room service is also available from the restaurant.

For business travellers and meeting professionals, Le Meridien Versailles - Montreal has 3,100 square feet of meeting space divisible between five rooms, each named after a wine region of France. The hotel also maintains a self-service business centre, as well as a modest and comfortable fitness centre with universal weight machine, treadmill and stationary bicycle.

Le Meridien Versailles - Montreal`s General Manager Brenda Rodricks has been with the hotel for the past three years. A 25-veteran of the accommodations industry, Rodricks spent 14 years with Hilton at various hotel locations throughout Canada before joining Hampshire. The property is located at:

1808 - Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec H3H 1E5 Canada; Telephone: +1 514 933 8111, Fax: +1 514 933 7102, E-mail: [email protected]

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