Skycity Grand Hotel Exceeds Expectations

Skycity Grand Hotel Exceeds Expectations On Opening

Only one week after opening, SKYCITY's new 5 star Grand Hotel has substantially exceeded booking expectations.

This weekend the new $85 million SKYCITY Grand Hotel is fully booked, as is the property's 4+ star SKYCITY Hotel. With all 660 rooms at the SKYCITY Auckland site full, this weekend represents the greatest number of visitors ever to stay on the SKYCITY site, now Auckland's largest single site accommodation provider.

SKYCITY General Manager Marketing New Zealand Jill Birch, said the interest and confirmed bookings received from both the local leisure, conference and incentive market and international and corporate markets demonstrates the real need that existed for an additional 5 star facility in Auckland.

"We are delighted to see this level of support so soon after opening. Expressions of interest from high end international guests has been very encouraging with the Grand Hotel's exclusive Grand Suite already sold and occupied for the full $3,000-plus room rate."

The opening of SKYCITY's new 5 star hotel completes the major capital project at SKYCITY which saw the opening of the state of the art SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre in July last year. The availability of 5 star accommodation in addition to the existing 4+ star hotel, enables SKYCITY to attract larger international and high yielding incentive groups to the property, utilising a broad range of facilities.

SKYCITY recently secured the high profile Gartner Premier Global Reward "Winners Circle" Incentive Program to be held in Auckland during April 2006. Attracting 850-900 participants from USA (55%) and other international countries (45%) it promises to be the nation's largest pure incentive event. The event has confirmed a total 'buy out' of the 316 room five-star SKYCITY Grand Hotel with an over-flow of around 100 rooms at SKYCITY's existing 344 room four-plus star hotel.

Ms Birch said SKYCITY is very pleased to have been selected as the venue for this significant event, which will benefit the city and New Zealand tourism, with high on-spend from these international visitors.

The location of the 'Grand Hotel' above SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre and linked by over-bridge to SKYCITY Auckland, means large scale convention guests have a world of accommodation and entertainment options conveniently located on the one site.

"In the past Auckland has only been able to cater for an event of this magnitude by splitting delegates over various hotels and convention sites around the city. SKYCITY is now able to offer a one-stop-shop complex that providing 660 4+ and 5 star rooms, convention facilities, entertainment and dining experiences under the one roof. This is particularly attractive to large high yielding incentive groups who will use many of the facilities on offer," said Ms Birch.

Research indicates that visiting convention delegates spend nearly 10 times more per day than the average international tourist, indicating why competition in the $1 billion industry is so intense.

The new SKYCITY Grand Hotel features 21 levels and 316 rooms of uncompromising quality. The rooms comprise a range of luxury accommodation options including The Grand Suite, eight Premier self- Contained Suites, 11 Executive King Suites and 296 Luxury King rooms.

For enquiries and additional information on the SKYCITY Auckland Grand Hotel phone SKYCITY on 0800 SKYCITY or www.skycitygrand.co.nz

SKYCITY Grand Hotel

- 21 levels of contemporary elegance and facilities above Albert St. - Two restaurants - an on-site buffet restaurant - 'The Terrace' - and the new 'dine by Peter Gordon' signature restaurant. - Private members club lounge offering 24 hours guest service and complimentary wireless and broadband connectivity. - A 25m lap swimming pool, gym (latest equipment and personal training sessions by Les Mills personal trainers upon request), sauna and spa pool. - Full range of guest services including latest technologies and the East Day Spa (expected to open late April). - Four point bathrooms (bath, shower, toilet and basin separate). - 42-inch plasma screens in each of the 17 top-end suites. - Central city location. - Leading New Zealand artwork throughout from some of New Zealand' s most prominent artists including stunning new artwork commissioned especially for the Grand by Shane Cotton, Dick Frizzell, Graham Fletcher, Terry Stringer, Michael Hight, Max Gimblett, Robert Ellis and Karl Maughan. Photography featured in every room is from the acclaimed collection by the late Robin Morrison (which SKYCITY now owns and every room has at least three of his photographs which are different in each room).

ENDS

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