CELEBRATED RESTAURANT GUO FU LOU TO OPEN AT THE MURRAY, END-2017

Hong Kong, 9 May 2017 - The Murray, , a Niccolo Hotel located on Garden Road, today announces an agreement with Fook Lam Moon Restaurant Group to open Guo Fu Lou, a prominent restaurant at the Hotel. Scheduled to open together with the Hotel in late 2017, Guo Fu Lou at The Murray, Hong Kong is expected to attract its devoted patrons, including Hong Kong’s most prominent and influential movers, shakers and epicureans.

"Since the founding of the Guo Fu Lou brand in 2010, we have been looking for an ideal premise to be the permanent home for this modern and boutique restaurant brand of the Fook Lam Moon family. Guo Fu Lou at The Murray is the result of the exclusive partnership with the Hotel and will be the only one in Hong Kong," says Duncan Chui, executive director of Fook Lam Moon Restaurant Group. "The Hotel’s location, along with the carefully curated interior design of the new space, will be accentuated by our legendary cuisine and outstanding service. It will be a new dining destination for the people of Hong Kong as well as guests of the Hotel and the city who are looking for top quality Cantonese food with a stylish and elegant ambience."

Facing Champion Tower (formerly Citibank Tower), the restaurant is situated within a two-storey pavilion adjacent to and across from the Hotel's main entrance. Andre Fu, founder of the multiple award-winning AFSO design studio, leads the interior design team in creating the new Guo Fu Lou. Featuring sensuous interiors reinforced by the firm's rigorous pursuit of new Asian sensitivities, the restaurant’s spaces are designed to inspire and indulge. The 90-seat restaurant will boast a contemporary chic and authentically inspired design. Guests who prefer more privacy may choose to book one of the private dining rooms which can accommodate between 6 to 40 guests. A sprawling terrace, with an additional 48 outdoor seats beneath the Hotel's courtyard heritage tree, provides the perfect vantage point to observe the Hotel's thought-provoking arrival and departure activities. The distinctive setting is ideal for outdoor dining, a unique feature among Chinese restaurants in Hong Kong and the region.

Duncan Palmer, managing director of The Murray, Hong Kong remarked, "We are proud to have Fook Lam Moon Restaurant Group as a partner bringing their acclaimed culinary experience to The Murray. Their boutique restaurant brand Guo Fu Lou is the perfect match for the Hotel as a contemporary urban chic lifestyle destination. "

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Guo Fu Lou

Guo Fu Lou is a boutique restaurant brand established by the Fook Lam Moon Group in 2010. Guo Fu, refers to ‘Blessings and Good Luck bestowed by the Heavens'. The ‘Fu' character in the restaurant name was first scribed on a tablet in 1673 by Emperor Kangxi. Combining the Chinese character "longevity" and "auspiciousness", the calligraphy also contains the character of "sons", "talent" and "wealthiness" symbolising these five important blessings. The Kangxi ‘Fu' calligraphy shows the royal prestige that represents eternal happiness and longevity. Guo Fu Lou encompasses five elements of fine dining: culinary skills, finest ingredients, meticulous service, relaxing ambience and wine pairing, bringing out the best Cantonese dining experience.

With the team's persistence in sourcing only the finest ingredients and preparing dishes with perfect consistency, the Guo Fu Lou, Wanchai branch has, since 2013, maintained a one-star rating by the Michelin Guide – Hong Kong & Macau.

Fook Lam Moon

Long established as the premier brand for exquisite in Hong Kong, Fook Lam Moon which means "good fortune arriving at your door," opened its first restaurant in 1972 in Wanchai, Hong Kong followed by a second branch in 1977 at Tsimshatsui, Kowloon. Tracing its roots from Fook Kee catering service founded in 1948 by Mr Chui Fook Chuen whose guiding principle was to choose only the finest ingredients, the establishment epitomises the traditions of Cantonese cooking with a personal twist. Now with more the half a century of dedication to the art and tradition of the craft, Fook Lam Moon has successfully grown to become Hong Kong's definitive haute Cantonese cuisine restaurant for the city's elite and epicures. In August 2015, the brand opened its overseas branch in Macau to much acclaim. Over the years, Fook Lam Moon restaurants have earned numerous reputable awards and accolades locally and internationally, including the Michelin Guide Hong Kong & Macau, Asia's 50 Best Restaurants, Monocle Restaurant Awards, Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards, and was voted the Restaurant of the Year (Regional) by the World Gourmet Summit in Singapore in March 2017.

Further details on Guo Fu Lou and Fook Lam Moon are available at fooklammoon- grp.com.

The Murray, Hong Kong, a Niccolo Hotel

The Murray, Hong Kong, opening in late 2017, is a high-profile preservation project led by British international studio for architecture and integrated design Foster + Partners. Part of Hong Kong’s Conserving Central Project, the Hotel which was the stand-alone Murray Building is one of the city's most iconic landmarks. A member of Global Hotel Alliance’s Ultratravel Collection, the US$1 billion contemporary urban chic sanctuary will feature 336 oversized rooms and suites spanning 25 floors. Other facilities include a stunning rooftop bar with breath-taking views of the central business district and the green oasis of , a series of signature restaurants and bars, as well as creative meeting and event spaces.

Further details on The Murray, Hong Kong are available at themurrayaniccolohotel.com

Ultratravel Collection

Ultratravel Collection brings together hotels of distinction for the discerning traveller. Its membership is reserved for the very best hotels and resorts in the world – genuinely luxurious and iconic properties that deliver the finest service and personalised guest experiences. Member hotels share an integrated global platform for guest recognition and loyalty rewards, the DISCOVERY programme from partner Global Hotel Alliance, as well as beneficial relationship with the multi-media brand Ultratravel, the other founding partner of Ultratravel Collection. For more information visit ultratravelcollection.com

For press enquiries please contact:

Anton Kilayko Michelle Miu Director of Communications Public Relations Manager The Murray, Hong Kong, a Niccolo Hotel The Murray, Hong Kong, a Niccolo Hotel (852) 6318 3086 (852) 6332 0221 [email protected] [email protected]

Images:

Connected by a bridge to the city, the Guo Fu A new dining destination, Guo Fu Lou at Lou pavilion terrace on The Murray’s Garden The Murray, Hong Kong offers an option Level is an atmospheric setting beneath a for al fresco dining, a unique feature heritage tree. amongst fine Cantonese restaurants in the city.

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