Already laying claim to the most distinctive collection of landmark and iconic hotels in the world, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts plans to open a number of new and celebrated properties in 2012.  Headlining Fairmont’s robust schedule of 2012 openings, which will see the brand debut in several new global markets, are Fairmont Jaipur in India, Fairmont Grand Hotel Kyiv in Ukraine, and Fairmont Baku in Azerbaijan.

“International growth is a key focus at Fairmont and I fully expect 2012 to be a busy year for us,” said Jennifer Fox, President, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. “With hotels like The Savoy in London, The Plaza in New York, and Shanghai’s Fairmont Peace Hotel, we already watch over some of the world’s top addresses, so to be going into several new and exciting markets, with assets that are truly one-of-a-kind, is very exciting.”

In total, the luxury brand has five hotel projects, representing more than 1,300 guestrooms, slated to open next year.  Noteworthy openings include:

• Fairmont Jaipur – located in the heart of the “Pink City”, a name honoring the distinctive rose-colored architecture of Rajasthan’s capital, the hotel marks Fairmont’s first foray into India. Offering 199 spacious and luxurious guestrooms, nine 1- and 2-bedroom villas as well as a Presidential Suite, the hotel’s atmosphere will reflect the unique character of the region, while also capturing the air of a modern day palace. Guestrooms will include over-sized bathrooms with soaker tubs, state-of-the-art Bose sound systems and 40” flat panel televisions. The brand’s exclusive Fairmont Gold product, a hotel within a hotel concept with 38 luxuriously appointed guestrooms and private lounge facilities, will make its debut in the market as well.  Also tempting hotel guests will be a broad range of culinary options including a full service restaurant featuring regional specialties. Other offerings include a lobby lounge, cigar room, and rooftop bar.  Helping guests relax and recharge will be a Willow Stream Spa featuring over 14,000 square feet of space, as well as a 5,000 square foot health club. To accommodate the area’s growing meetings market, the hotel will also boast more than 45,000 square feet of conference space. (Opening March 2012)
  
  
• Fairmont Grand Hotel Kyiv – while the Ukraine has European football fans buzzing about next summer’s UEFA Euro 2012 tournament, the city of Kyiv is also eagerly anticipating the arrival of its first true luxury hotel, Fairmont Grand Hotel Kyiv. Expected to open in early 2012, well in advance of football enthusiasts flocking to the city, the hotel will feature 257 rooms, including 35 suites, Fairmont Gold and a Royal and Presidential Suite, and will be centrally located on the Dnipro River in the heart of Kyiv’s historic Podil district. As one of the oldest cities in Eastern Europe and a destination with numerous architectural landmarks, the hotel is poised to be a vibrant feature in the locale, boasting a classic, old-world design reminiscent of a stately palace or grand manor home. And while the design aesthetics of the building will undoubtedly be classic and elegant, the atmosphere within the hotel is expected to be cosmopolitan and trendy making it an urban hotspot for the “it” crowd. Other features of the hotel include a range of dining options, including a stylish Champagne bar and chic cigar lounge, 13,000 square feet of meeting and function space, counting a 5,000 square foot ballroom, and a Fairmont Spa with six treatment rooms and a full beauty salon. (Opening March 2012)
  
• Fairmont Baku – upon opening, Fairmont Baku will be one of the tallest and most impressive buildings in the capital city of Azerbaijan. The hotel will be part of the awe-inspiring Flame Towers, a three-turreted, multi-use building paying tribute to the country’s name, which means ‘The Land of the Fire’ when translated in modern Persian. The hotel will boast 318 guestrooms and suites in addition to a prime location on the Absheron Peninsula next to the Azerbaijan parliament buildings and overlooking the Caspian Sea. Guestrooms will be modern and sophisticated with décor reflecting the rich culture and heritage of the city.  The hotel will also feature Fairmont Gold and over 25,000 square feet of meeting space including a 24-hour business centre complete with IT butler service and secretarial support. Dining options will be plentiful with several restaurants, bars and lounges including an authentic French patisserie and a specialty steak-house. Popular with business travelers and executives in oil and gas production, Azerbaijan’s blossoming tourism industry is also quickly becoming a top draw for leisure travelers visiting the region. The destination was the 2011 winner of the popular Eurovision Song Contest and will host the 2012 event in May, offers numerous sightseeing attractions including Baku’s old Inner City, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, and was recently singled out by Lonely Planet as a top ten global hotspot for urban nightlife.

Additional Fairmont hotels expected to open later in 2012 include the 300-room Fairmont Makati, Philippines, which will be conveniently located near the Philippine Stock Exchange, and the 372-room Fairmont Palm Jumeirah on Dubai’s The Palm, Jumeirah. Looking beyond 2012, Fairmont is also working on a number of exciting hotel development projects in markets like Saudi Arabia, Russia, Fujairah, and China and remains focused on international expansion with brand growth targeted for key markets in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa.