Shangri-La 's Far Eastern Plaza Hotel, Tainan To Open Third Quarter 2008
	Asia Pacific's leading luxury hotel group, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, has signed a contract with Far Eastern Group to manage Shangri-La's Far Eastern Plaza Hotel, Tainan, opening the third quarter of 2008.
The partnership marks the second hotel in Taiwan owned by the prominent Far Eastern Group and managed by Shangri-La, following Shangri-La's Far Eastern Plaza Hotel, Taipei which opened in 1994. Shangri-La's Far Eastern Plaza Hotel, Tainan will be adjacent to the Tainan Rail Station and a 20-minute drive from the High Speed Rail Station (THSR) with connections throughout Taiwan. The hotel adjoins the Far Eastern Group's FE21 Mega shopping complex and is located near the famous National Cheng Kung University. The 336-room, 38-floor atrium hotel is designed as the most luxurious international deluxe hotel in southern Taiwan, with interior design by Hong Kong-based AB Concept and Taiwan-based Metro Space Design as architects. The hotel will feature the largest guestrooms in the city with an average size of 50 square metres. The Horizon Club, featuring 51 guestrooms and suites, will offer a host of special amenities and privileges such as express check-in and check-out service, exclusive club lounge for daily breakfast and evening cocktails, and meeting facilities. Story continues below ↓ Advertisement Dining options will include a Chinese restaurant on the 38th floor offering Huaiyang, Cantonese and Taiwanese specialties and 360 degree city views, an all-day cafe featuring international cuisines at interactive cooking stations, and a comfortable Lobby Lounge. Additional facilities will include a health club, spa and outdoor swimming pool. The hotel will also provide a total 2,293 square metres of function space, including a 1,055-square-metre pillarless ballroom as well as a 300 square-metre auditorium and intimate function rooms totalling 550 square metres. Mr. Emil Leung has been appointed general manager of the hotel. Mr. Leung has been with Shangri-la Hotels and Resorts for more than 10 years, most recently at Shangri-La's Far Eastern Plaza Hotel, Taipei. 'We are privileged to partner again with the prestigious Far Eastern Group and we feel certain that this hotel will capture the same degree of acclaim as our Taipei property,' said Giovanni Angelini, chief executive officer and managing director of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts. Shangri-La's Far Eastern Plaza Hotel, Taipei has been named Asia's Best Hotel in Taipei by Asiamoney, one of the Top 50 Asia Hotels by Conde Nast Traveler (US), Best Hotel in Taipei by Euromoney and many other accolades since its opening. 'The delivery of Shangri-La's service excellence has a proven track record of success for us,' said Douglas Tong Hsu, chairman and chief executive officer of Far Eastern Group. 'After more than a decade of collaboration with Shangri-La's Far Eastern Plaza Hotel in Taipei, we are confident this new hotel will be a superlative addition to the Tainan hospitality industry.' Until the end of the 19th century Tainan, in southwest Taiwan, was the political, economic and cultural center of Taiwan. The city is known as the ancient cultural capital of Taiwan and still displays abundant historic buildings and references, with a well-developed industrial and economic infrastructure. Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Asia Pacific's leading luxury hotel group, currently owns and manages 55 hotels under the five-star Shangri-La and four-star Traders brands, with a rooms inventory of over 28,000. The group has over 50 projects under development in Austria, Canada, mainland China, France, India, Japan, Macau, Maldives, Philippines, Qatar, Seychelles, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United States. For more information and reservations, please contact a travel professional or access the website at www.shangri-la.com. Far Eastern Group was established in 1937 following the founding spirit of 'Sincerity, Diligence, Thrift and Prudence.' The Far Eastern Group has grown to include eight public listed companies engaged in 10 different industries such as textile and synthetic fibre, cement, retailing, petrochemicals, transportation, construction, financial services, hotel, telecommunications and social responsibilities. FEG has not only developed in Taiwan, expanded into China and global markets, but also entered into strategic partnerships with the world's renowned enterprises. FEG is now considered Taiwan's best managed conglomerate for globalization and innovation.