MEDIACOMM RELEASE

23 September, 2016 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Hotel Royal Savoy Lausanne officially inaugurated

Lausanne,

The legendary Hotel Royal Savoy Lausanne in Switzerland has been officially inaugurated in a grand opening celebration signifying the hotel’s official launch after an ambitious remodelling exercise that restored the hotel to its historic aesthetic charm this Friday, 23 September 2016.

« After a long period of development and construction, we are very proud to re-open the legendary Hotel Royal Savoy Lausanne, which has been magnificently renovated and repositioned to a 5 star property,» said Alain Kropf, General Manager of the Hotel Royal Savoy Lausanne.

The official opening programme started with the Time Capsule Ceremony in the morning: a historic and symbolic moment for the Hotel Royal Savoy Lausanne. His Excellence M. Hamad Abdulla Al-Mulla (CEO of Katara Hospitality), Mr Bruno H. Schöpfer (Managing Director of The Bürgenstock Selection), Mr Alain Kropf (General Manager of the Hotel Royal Savoy Lausanne), Michelin Star Chef Marc Haeberlin (Signature Chef Hotel Royal Savoy Lausanne) and Mrs Natacha Litzistorf (Local Councillor of the City of Lausanne) have participated at this unique ceremony at the heart of the hotel by adding each an object or documents of their choice to the Time Capsule. Under the patronage of H.E Sheikh Nawaf Bin Jassim Bin Jabor Al-Thani (Chairman of the Board of Directors Katara Hospitality) and H.E. Dr. Mubarak Kleefiefh K. Alhajri (Ambassador of ), the Hotel Royal Savoy Lausanne then hosted over 600 highly esteemed guests, such as local politicians or officials – amongst them Pierre- Antoine Hildbrand (Official Representative of the City of Lausanne) as well as certain local personalities for a culinary and discovering journey throughout the

renewed establishment. Another highlight of the evening included the concert of local super star singer Bastian Baker, who has made himself known way beyond the Swiss border. On this occasion, H.E Sheikh Nawaf Bin Jassim Bin Jabor Al-Thani, Chairman of Katara Hospitality said: “We are honoured to witness the official reopening of Hotel Royal Savoy Lausanne, as it revives the property’s prestigious past while marking a new step forward in the region’s long tradition of hospitality. Katara Hospitality is globally renowned for creating landmark hospitality gems that enhance the tourism landscape in the markets we operate, and such a momentous occasion further illustrates our continued success within the global luxury tourism sector.”

Mr. Hamad Abdulla Al-Mulla, Chief Executive Officer of Katara Hospitality added: “The legendary Hotel Royal Savoy Lausanne epitomises the opulence and impeccable service standards characteristic of Swiss hospitality. It is Katara Hospitality’s distinguished pleasure to unveil a beautifully restored historical building and luxury hotel, which adds to the cosmopolitan allure of the city of Lausanne, while appealing to the tastes of our esteemed guests,” he added.

In line with Katara Hospitality’s mission to preserve the heritage of iconic hotels around the world, Hotel Royal Savoy Lausanne, located in the heart of the city of Lausanne and overlooking Lac Léman, recently underwent a multimillion dollar extensive yet masterful redesign.

The iconic hotel is the second hotel to open under The Bürgenstock Selection, a collection of luxurious hotels which fall under Murwab Hotel Group, the standalone operating arm of Katara Hospitality which manages an international collection of boutique upscale hotels and brands offering contemporary hospitality steeped in cultural heritage.

Welcoming to Lausanne a supreme splendor reminiscent of the reigning spirit and elegance of Swiss hospitality, the luxurious 5-star property features 196 rooms and suites, the unique Sky Terrace which offers a unique panoramic view of the city of Lausanne, Lake Geneva and the Alps, as well as a host of facilities and services to enchant the most discerning of contemporary tastes.

Instantly recognisable in the heart of the city of Lausanne, Hotel Royal Savoy is a haven for tranquility, opulence and juxtaposition of Art Nouveau style of décor and contemporary design. From fine in-house food and beverage establishments complete with the gastronomic delights of Michelin-starred chef Marc Haeberlin, to well- appointed guest rooms, fully functional meetings and events facilities with the latest

in innovative tools for business and leisure travelers, Royal Savoy Lausanne offers the ultimate relaxation experience on the backdrop of cultural immersion, leisure attractions and historic charm.

- End - About Katara Hospitality:

Katara Hospitality is a global hotel owner, developer and operator, based in Qatar. With more than 45 years’ experience in the industry, Katara Hospitality actively pursues its strategic expansion plans by investing in peerless hotels in Qatar while growing its collection of iconic properties in key international markets. Katara Hospitality’s portfolio has grown to include 34 owned and / or managed hotels and the company is now focused on achieving its target of 60 hotels in its portfolio by 2026. As the country’s flagship hospitality organisation, Katara Hospitality supports Qatar’s long term economic vision. Katara Hospitality currently owns properties spread across three continents in Qatar, , , UK, , Germany, , , Switzerland, The , and . While it partners with some of the finest hotel management companies, Katara Hospitality operates owned and non-owned hotels through its standalone operating arm, Murwab Hotel Group.

Katara Hospitality has gained global recognition for its contributions to the Qatari and international hospitality landscape, through numerous prestigious accolades from the industry.

About Hotel Royal Savoy Lausanne:

The Hotel Royal Savoy Lausanne is part of "The Bürgenstock Selection". Katara Hospitality Switzerland AG, headquartered in Zug, is the Swiss hotel management company for Katara Hospitality, . Under the leadership of its Managing Director, Bruno H. Schöpfer, it develops concepts for renovated, rebuilt and reopened legendary hotels. Currently, the company portfolio includes the Hotel Royal Savoy Lausanne, Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne and the Hotel Schweizerhof in Bern. While the Hotel Schweizerhof was successfully reopened in June 2011, the Hotel Royal Savoy Lausanne started operations in November 2015 and The Bürgenstock Resort will open later in 2017.

About Murwab Hotel Group:

Murwab Hotel Group is Katara Hospitality’s standalone operating division which manages an international collection of boutique upscale hotels and brands offering contemporary hospitality steeped in cultural heritage. The Murwab Hotel Group currently manages properties under its three main areas of business: Murwab Hotels, The Bürgenstock Selection as well as a collection of independent non-branded upscale properties.

For media information, please contact: Lucy Tallo PR/TICULAR OWNER Mob: +41 79 393 42 66 Email: [email protected] www.royalsavoy.ch