General Manager Appointed for Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund

With a career spanning over 15 years at Hilton Hotels Corporation, Dirk has extensive experience working in hotel management in Brussels, New York, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and China. Prior to taking on his new role at Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund, he held the position of Pre-opening General Manager of Conrad Shanghai, and General Manager at the Hilton Sanya Resort & Spa on Hainan Island in China since 2005, during which time the resort received a myriad of awards for outstanding service and operational excellence.

In the lead up to the opening of Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund, Dirk will be responsible for appointing a team of experienced professionals to operate the hotel and deliver one of Shanghai's most luxurious guest experiences.

Martin Rink, President Hilton Hotels - Asia Pacific, said, "Dirk's vast experience in the luxury hotel industry, as well as his outstanding leadership qualities, will ensure a smooth start for the Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund. We are excited about this upcoming property, which will mark the debut of the legendary Waldorf Astoria brand in Asia Pacific."

The 286-room Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund will comprise two buildings. The first will be the heritage building, located at No. 2 on the Bund, which was previously home to the Shanghai Club, an exclusive Gentlemen's Club in the 1920s. Scheduled to open in mid-2010, the heritage building will feature several uniquely designed restaurants and bars as well as a glamorous ballroom and 20 suites. Connected by a courtyard and positioned on Sichuan Road behind the Bund, a new 266-room tower will be completed in early 2011.

The Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund will become the first Waldorf Astoria hotel outside United States. It will have three stunning restaurants, two lounges, a bar and a library. Extensive banqueting facilities will aim to position the hotel as the first choice for Meetings as well as wedding receptions in the city. A swimming pool, health club and spa will provide guests with luxury amenities to rest, rejuvenate and relax.

Editor's Notes:

About Waldorf Astoria(R) hotels

Waldorf Astoria is the prestigious luxury brand from the Hilton Family of Hotels that is founded on the timeless, cultured and legendary traditions that are synonymous with the Waldorf Astoria name. This distinguished luxury brand anticipates and fulfills the needs of today's luxury global traveler by providing guests the opportunity to live the Waldorf Astoria legacy of personalized experiences. Future Waldorf Astoria hotels will be located in gateway cities worldwide and are expected to include: The Waldorf Astoria Orlando (2009), The Waldorf Astoria Sarasota (2010), The Waldorf Astoria Montreal (2011), the proposed Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills (2011) and the Waldorf Astoria Philadelphia (2012). The Waldorf Astoria is a member of Hilton's Luxury and Lifestyle Brands along with The Waldorf Astoria Collection and Conrad Hotels & Resorts. For further information on Waldorf Astoria please visit www.waldorfastoriacollection.com.

About Hilton Hotels Corporation

Hilton Hotels Corporation is the leading global hospitality company based in McLean, VA, with more than 3,300 hotels and 550,000 rooms in 77 countries and more than 130,000 team members worldwide. The company owns, manages or franchises some of the best known and highly regarded hotel brands including Hilton, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton Grand Vacations, Homewood Suites by Hilton, the Waldorf Astoria and the Waldorf Astoria Collection, as well as the recently launched Home2 Suites by Hilton. The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors(R).

Hilton Hotels Corporation is an Official Sponsor of the U.S. Olympic Team, which will extend through the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver, the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London, the 2010/2012 U.S. Paralympic Team and the 2011 U.S. Pan American Team.

The Hilton Family of Hotels adheres to founder Conrad Hilton's philosophy that, "It has been, and continues to be, our responsibility to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality." The company put a name to its unique brand of service that has made it the best known and most highly regarded hotel company: be hospitable(R). The philosophy is shared by all brands in the Hilton Family of Hotels, and is the inspiration for its overarching message of kindness and generosity.

For more information about the company, please visit www.hiltonfamily.com.

SOURCE: Waldorf Astoria

For further information, images or interviews please contact: 
Faith Thoms 
Director PR & Communication, Hilton Hotels Asia Pacific (Singapore) 
Tel: +65 6833 9762 
faith.thoms@hilton.com 
or 
Fiona Chang 
Account Executive, Mindsac Consulting 
Tel: +86 21 6433 3934 x 16 / Mobile: +86 1306 2633 881 
fiona.chang@mindsac.com