Corinthia adds another property to its name

Corinthia Hotels International has taken over the running of the four-star Corinthia Antwerp Hotel in Belgium.

The hotel chain signed a 15-year lease agreement for the stylish, glass fronted hotel, situated in the heart of Antwerp's thriving business and financial district, 10 minutes away from the city centre and close to the main motorways to Brussels, Germany and the Netherlands.

Corinthia appointed Frank De Neef, a well-known figure on the Belgian hotel scene, as the hotel's new general manager.

The hotel, formerly the 'Diamant Antwerpen', has 215 rooms and suites. Conference and banqueting facilities are extensive and accommodate up to 500 guests. The property will shortly undergo major refurbishment to bring it in line with the high standard of other Corinthia properties worldwide.

"This new property represents another significant development for Corinthia Hotels International," said CHI acting chairman Karmenu Vella.

"At a time when many hotel companies are proceeding cautiously, faced with difficult market conditions, Corinthia is moving ahead aggressively to position the brand as a major player in the European market."

The Corinthia Antwerp Hotel is one of three Corinthia properties due to open before the end of 2002. The Grand Hotel Royal in Budapest and the Corinthia Towers Hotel in Tripoli are scheduled to open in December.

The Corinthia Antwerp Hotel joins a list of 22 upscale four and five star city and resort hotels operating under the Corinthia Hotels International brand in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Libya, Malta, Portugal, Russia, The Gambia, Togo, Tunisia and Turkey.

The chain also operates a network of regional sales offices in France, Germany, Italy, Malta, Russia, Scandinavia, Spain, The Netherlands, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.