Taj Announces $100 Million Renovation for the Pierre

Newly Renovated Banquet Spaces Remain Open and Events are Planned

Throughout 2008

    NEW YORK, Nov. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Taj Hotels Resorts & Palaces announced
 today that The Pierre, New York's landmark hotel on Central Park and Fifth
 Avenue, will enter the second phase of renovation beginning January 1,
 2008. All 200 guest accommodations, including the 11 Grand Suites with
 apartment- like quarters and private terraces, 41 suites and all guest
 rooms will be upgraded and renovated, as will the corridors, public areas,
 Cafe Pierre and the bar. Estimated overall cost associated with the
 renovation program is $100 million. Overseeing the design is James Park
 Associates, whose past projects include the Taj Lake Palace Hotel, Udaipur,
 India; Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Maldives; Taj Exotica Resort, Mauritius,
 as well as the redesign of Singapore Airlines' first-class cabins.
     The first phase of the Pierre renovation was completed in January 2007
 by Alexandra Champalimaud & Associates, and included the Grand Ballroom,
 the Cotillion Room and foyer. All banquet spaces on the second floor will
 remain open, fully staffed and operative throughout the second phase of
 renovation, and will remain accessible by a private entrance on 61st
 Street. Advance bookings for 2008 are very strong, according to General
 Manager Heiko Kuenstle, with weddings, non-profit charity events, bar/bat
 mitzvahs, corporate events, holiday parties and financial conferences
 planned.
     While banquet business continues as usual, the hotel will cease taking
 guest reservations December 30th and the guest rooms and restaurant will
 not be open as of noon, December 31st. The Pierre will fully reopen in
 early 2009 and will begin taking reservations for the newly renovated
 accommodations in late 2008.
     "As stewards of this hospitality icon, our goal is to retain the
 classic ambiance of The Pierre while adding a fresh look of 21st century
 elegance and technology that will appropriately transform the property,"
 said Mr. Kuenstle. "We know our loyal guests will be pleased and we look
 forward to welcoming them back."
     "Taj has a 105-year history of luxury service and is dedicated to
 restoring this hotel to perfection," added Mr. Kuenstle. "Sensitivity and
 taste are hallmarks of how Taj refreshes a classic, as can be seen in their
 acclaimed renovations of authentic Indian palaces."
     Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces
     Established in 1903, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces is one of Asia's
 largest and finest groups of hotels, comprising 56 hotels in 39 locations
 across India with an additional 17 international hotels in the Maldives,
 Mauritius, Malaysia, Seychelles, UK, USA, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Africa and the
 Middle East. From world-renowned landmarks to modern business hotels,
 idyllic beach resorts to authentic Rajput palaces, each Taj hotel offers
 warm hospitality, world-class service and modern luxury. The Taj, a symbol
 of Indian hospitality, has recently completed the centenary of its landmark
 hotel, The Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, Mumbai. Taj Hotels Resorts and
 Palaces is part of the Tata Group, India's premier business house. For more
 information, please visit www.tajhotels.com.
 
 

SOURCE Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces