WORLDHOTELS Deluxe Collection affiliate The Howard Plaza Hotel Taipei has celebrated its 25th anniversary as one of Taiwan's premier 5-star hotels.

The milestone event, attended by over 300 guests, marks the founding of the acclaimed Howard Hotels, Resorts & Suites brand. The group's Chairman Emeritus, Liao Hsiu Chong, and Chairman, Paul Liao hosted the event at the Howard Plaza Hotel welcoming guest of honor David Hsieh, Taiwan Tourism Bureau Deputy Director.

Located in the citys prosperous financial and government district, the 5-star Howard Plaza Hotel Taipei features 606 elegant rooms, 18 meeting rooms, a grand ballroom, fully-equipped meeting rooms, a business centre with comprehensive services and eight restaurants.

Rosewood offers French favourites; Le Louvre, Champs Elysee and Atrium introduce all-day sumptuous western and continental cuisine; Yangtse River is renowned traditional Shanghainese restaurant, where the chefs create a memorable dining experience. Pearl River brings a taste of Canton province to Taipei, showcasing an impressive choice of Cantonese dishes. Miyama presents an inviting selection of Japanese dishes. Formosa features Taiwanese cuisine, all freshly prepared by expert chefs.

Underlining its ongoing commitment to service and quality, The Howard Plaza Hotel Taipei is also the first Taiwanese hotel brand to achieve both ISO 22000 (Food Safety Management Systems) and HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) accreditations.

ISO 22000 is the worlds foremost food safety management system certification. The international awards recognise Howard Plaza Hotels stringent commitment to monitoring their guests food safety.

Roland Jegge, Vice President Asia Pacific for WORLDHOTELS, said "The Howard Plaza Hotel Taipei can be proud not only of its prime location in the heart of Taipei, but also of its commitment to 5-star service and quality standards that our discerning guests have appreciated for many years."

With over 500 outstanding hotels in 300 destinations across 70 countries, WORLDHOTELS is one of the world's leading marketing and distribution network for independent hotels and regional hotel brands, with a strong emphasis on hotels with character and distinction.

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Note to editors:

About WORLDHOTELS WORLDHOTELS is an exclusive collection of the world's most unique independent hotels. Under the banner "Unique Hotels for Unique People", it now has almost 500 affiliate properties in more than 300 destinations and 70 countries worldwide. For nearly 40 years, the company's mission has been to offer business and leisure travellers easy access to a wide range of accommodation options with a strong emphasis on hotels of character and distinction. WORLDHOTELS' guests benefit from an extensive portfolio of partnerships, including frequent flyer programmes from 20 of the world's leading international airlines, including Air France/KLM, United Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Lufthansa. Through state-of-the-art distribution and technology and global marketing campaigns, WORLDHOTELS gives independent hotels the collective strength of a strong, global hotel brand whilst still allowing them to retain their strong individual character and unique identity.

ASIA PACIFIC Reservation Numbers: Australia Toll free: 1-800-55 35 49 For groups: 61-2-9006 1088 China (North) Toll free: 10-800-650-8221 For groups: 10-800-6 50 00 87 China (South) Toll free: 10-800-2 65 82 21 For groups: 10-800-2 65 00 87 Hong Kong Toll free: 800-96 85 63 For groups: 800-90 85 95 India Toll free: 000-800-6 50 11 60 For groups: 65- 62 27 55 35 Japan Toll free: 0120-55 75 37 For groups: +81 3 6721 8141 Malaysia Toll free: 1-800-80 11 84 For groups: 1-800-80 15 86 New Zealand Toll free: 0-800-44 75 55 For groups: 61-2-9006 1088 Philippines Toll free: 1-800-16 51 01 67 For groups: 65 62 27 55 35 Singapore Toll free: 1-800-2 27 66 26 For groups: 65- 62 27 55 35 South Korea Toll free: 080-747-10 00 For groups: 82-2-756 90 00 Taiwan Toll free: 00801-65 10 95 For groups: 00801 651 423 Thailand Toll free: 001-800-65 66 04 For groups: 65 62 27 55 35

For further information visit worldhotels.com.

Issued on behalf of WORLDHOTELS by Grebstad Hicks Communications.

For further information, please contact:

Grebstad Hicks Communications Ms. Carol Kong Tel: 852 2810 0532 E-mail: carol.kong@ghcasia.com

WORLDHOTELS Mr. Roland Jegge Tel: 65 6227 5535 E-mail: rjegge@worldhotels.com