CHICAGO, September 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

- Recognized for Industry Service, Extensive Civic and Philanthropic Efforts

Laurence Geller, Chief Executive Officer of Strategic Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: BEE), was honored by the British-American Business Council, Chicago (BABCC) as a recipient of the 2011 British Counsul General Award. The award was presented at the Council's annual awards dinner on September 21, 2011, at the InterContinental Chicago, which is owned by Strategic Hotels.  This is only the second time this award has been presented to an individual. Geller is the first individual from the private sector to receive this recognition.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110926/CG74125 )

The award recognizes Geller, a British national, for his more than 40 years of service to the lodging industry and his extensive civic and philanthropic efforts in both the United Kingdom, the United States and around the world. Having founded Strategic Hotels & Resorts, Inc. in 1997, following executive and leadership positions with Hyatt, Holiday Inn and London's Grand Metropolitan Hotel, Geller's expertise in high-end lodging has helped grow his company to 17 high performing luxury hotels and resorts throughout North America and Europe.  In addition to the InterContinental Chicago hotel, which boasts the recently opened Michael Jordan's Steakhouse to rave reviews, Strategic Hotels also owns the Marriott Grovesnor Square in London, the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, the Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole, and the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco, among 12 other luxury properties.

In addition to his professional achievements, Geller is a prominent steward of various civic initiatives. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Churchill Center in London, of which he is a founding member. In May of this year, Geller was appointed Chancellor of the West London University, the successor to his alma mater, Ealing Technical College.  In addition, he serves on the President's Council of the Midwest Region of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau, the American Jewish Committee and Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago. He has also received several recognitions and awards for his services and achievements, including the Hospitality Investment Leadership Award, the American Hotel and Lodging Association's Award for Outstanding Contributions to Education, and The University of Wisconsin's Real Estate Innovation Award, among many others.

Laurence Geller commented, "It's a tremendous honor and privilege to be recognized by the British-American Business Council. I will forever be a loyal native son of London and a strong advocate for the exchange of commercial and civic goodwill between the UK, the US and the world.  I am humbled by this recognition and sincerely thank the British-American Business Council, Chicago for their efforts to promote trade and the sharing of expertise between our nations and the world."

About the Company

Strategic Hotels & Resorts, Inc. is a real estate investment trust (REIT) which owns and provides value-enhancing asset management of high-end hotels and resorts in the United States, Mexico and Europe. The Company currently has ownership interests in 17 properties with an aggregate of 7,762 rooms. For a list of current properties and for further information, please visit the Company's website at http://www.strategichotels.com/.

SOURCE Strategic Hotels & Resorts, Inc.