Hong Kong, 20 February, 2004. Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group today announced that it will manage an exclusive 128-villa resort and spa currently under development on a pristine section of the secluded Riviera Maya coastline. The resort is being developed by Desarrollos Marinos del Caribe (DEMA), a company with significant experience in Mexico’s construction, hotel development and financial industries.

Mandarin Oriental Riviera Maya, Mexico is located 42 kms south of Cancun and a 30 minute drive from Cancun International Airport. Due to open in autumn 2005, the resort will be a luxurious hideaway set among 36 acres of lush, tropical jungle that meets the white, sandy beaches of the unspoiled Yucatan coastline. A naturalist’s paradise, the property will include protected mangrove reserves, crystal-clear water from naturally formed lagoons and streams, highlighted by a spectacular cenote, a deep, freshwater open lake, sacred to the ancient Mayan, created by the erosion of rainwater through soft limestone soil over millions of years.

All of the development’s exclusive, oversized villas will enjoy outstanding water views of the remarkable cenote, the tranquil lagoons or the turquoise-coloured Caribbean Sea. Guests will be able to paddle quietly on small canoes through light-dappled mangroves, as they navigate through the natural waterways of the resort to the beach. Offering complete privacy, each villa encompasses its own spacious, private terrace or garden, some with individual plunge pools and all with secluded garden bathrooms. All villas have been designed with exquisite interiors, using native exotic woods and stone, and incorporate seamless technology and superior entertainment systems to enhance the guest experience with Mandarin Oriental’s renowned attention to detail.

The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Riviera Maya will set new standards of holistic well-being offering rejuvenating experiences that soothe, heal, restore and revitalize. The spacious 20,000 square feet spa, adjacent to the cenote, will feature a variety of water-based therapies and tailor-made spa cuisine. Honouring the ancient Mayan who inhabited the nearby lands, the spa will reflect aspects of Mayan philosophy, which deemed that the body belongs to the earth and the spirit to the universe. Guests will be guided in their spa choices by a team that is thoroughly educated in wellness and dedicated to serving the individual needs of each client. As with all Mandarin Oriental spas, the heritage of the Group is brought to the fore with the embodiment of mind-body-spirit rituals also rooted in Asian custom.

“Mandarin Oriental Riviera Maya will be a breathtaking hideaway that offers tranquillity and well-being to travellers seeking the ultimate sanctuary during their leisure time. Our guests will enjoy an unparalleled experience of pampering and rejuvenation in one of the world’s most naturally beautiful locations. Visitors will find a level of privacy and intimacy rarely experienced at luxury resorts, while still enjoying award-winning levels of service for which Mandarin Oriental is renowned,” said Edouard Ettedgui, Group Chief Executive of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.

“We are proud to be working with Mandarin Oriental on the development of this prestigious project,” said Gilberto Borja Suarez, CEO and Chairman of DEMA. "When Riviera Maya opens in autumn 2005, this exclusive hideaway will embody Mandarin Oriental’s legendary service philosophy and the unique sense of place inherent to all its hotels. We welcome Mandarin Oriental to Mexico and Latin America, and look forward to a very long and successful partnership,” Mr. Borja concluded.

Alfresco dining will be provided by a variety of restaurants and bars offering spectacular ocean views and an eclectic choice of contemporary cuisine. Guests will also have access to two 18-hole championship golf courses, located within a five mile radius of the resort. Three swimming pool experiences will front the ocean, spa and cenote, and long stretches of sandy white beaches also await guests. The clear ocean waters are fringed with abundant coral reefs alive with colorful fish, offering ideal conditions for those who snorkel and dive. The mysteries of the ancient Mayan civilization can be explored through the region’s important archeological sites nearby and contemporary Mayan culture – infused with Mexican and Spanish influence today – lives on in the many small towns and villages along the Yucatan.

Mandarin Oriental is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the world’s most prestigious hotels and resorts. In total, the Group operates 18 luxury hotels in key business and leisure destinations, with a further six hotels under development: Washington D.C. (opening spring 2004); Chiang Mai (opening late 2004); Hong Kong and Riviera Maya (opening 2005); and Tokyo and Boston (opening 2006). Mandarin Oriental now operates some 7,500 rooms in twelve countries with 12 hotels in Asia, nine in The Americas and three in Europe. Mandarin Oriental International Limited is a publicly listed company and is a member of the Jardine Matheson Group.