HPL Hotels & Resorts to Take over Management of Soneva Gili, Maldives

- New management assures Business as Usual

SINGAPORE, June 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- HPL Hotels & Resorts, the subsidiary of Singapore-based Hotel Properties Limited and operator of hospitality establishments throughout the Asia-Pacific region, hereby announces that they will be taking over the management of Soneva Gili, Maldives on 1 July 2012.

HPL Hotels & Resorts assures that it will be business as usual, with plans for the resort restricted to rebranding it as Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives and minor enhancements going forward.

"Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives will complement the current HPL portfolio of hotels," said Stephen Lau, Chairman of HPL Hotels & Resorts. "We intend to keep the spirit of the resort accordingly; guests booked after the change in management can be assured that the terms and conditions of their reservations will remain unchanged. And the Gili Lankanfushi team looks forward to welcoming them to our island paradise in the Maldives."

Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives is positioned as an upmarket boutique resort that stands at the forefront of the eco-luxury sector and acts as a benchmark for luxury resorts. The environmentally-sensitive resort is hidden away on Lankanfushi Island, in a lagoon on the North Male Atoll. All of its 45 over-water villas, crafted in a traditional style from natural materials, reflect the harmony of life by the water's edge. For ultimate privacy, guests can stay in one of the seven Crusoe Residences or the Private Reserve, accessible only by personal boat. All villas at this luxury island resort offer a private water garden, open air bathroom, and roof-top terrace and over-water sundecks. The interiors recreate a natural habitat, using sustainable woods, natural materials and traditional fabrics, whilst still offering all the modern amenities and providing the comfort of true luxury.

"As an eco-sensitive resort, we are committed to the principles of environmental sustainability, which plays an important part in Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives corporate philosophy," said lain McCormack, General Manager of Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives. "We've tailored the operations of the resort around this philosophy."

"We have on staff a marine biologist, who is responsible for several ecological conservation programmes relating to the ocean. We also maintain our own organic herb and vegetable garden, which provides fresh and local ingredients used in the resort's kitchens. An active recycling program of using waste for building materials is practiced."

Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives' corporate responsibility extends beyond the resort's perimeter as well, with several programs currently active and will be continued following the name change.

Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives marks the parent company - Hotel Properties Limited's fifth property in the Maldives. The other properties within the group are Four Seasons Resort at Kuda Huraa and Landaa Giraavaru; Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma; and Rihiveli Beach Resort.  Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives is the 12th hotel managed by HPL Hotels & Resorts.

ABOUT HPL HOTELS & RESORTS

Headquartered in Singapore, HPL Hotels & Resorts is a hospitality management company, operated and wholly-owned by Hotel Properties Limited (HPL), a Singapore main-board listed company.  HPL Hotels & Resorts manages the activities of twelve hotels and resorts in Asia Pacific and the Indian Ocean.  These include Concorde Hotel Singapore, Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Concorde Hotel Shah Alam, Concorde Inn Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Hard Rock Hotel Bali, Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya, Hard Rock Hotel Penang, Casa del Mar - Langkawi, The Lakehouse - Cameron Highlands, Casa del Rio – Melaka, Rihiveli Beach Resort Maldives and Gili Lankanfushi Maldives.  For more information, please visit www.hplhotels.com.