Fairmont Hotels & Resorts adding another exotic resort

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts adding another exotic resort
Brand announces new development on Mexico's famed Riviera Maya 


TORONTO, April 27  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Inc.
("FHR") (TSX/NYSE: FHR) has entered into an agreement with Obrascon Huarte
Lain, S.A. ("OHL") to manage a 401-room luxury resort near Playa del Carmen,
Mexico. FHR's luxury management company, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, will
operate "The Fairmont Mayakoba, Riviera Maya", scheduled to open in late 2005.
In addition to securing a long-term management contract, FHR will invest
approximately   $10 million for an equity interest of approximately 15% in the
resort. FHR will also have the option to participate in the development of an
adjacent luxury vacation ownership complex.

The Fairmont Mayakoba will be part of the Mayakoba master plan resort
community, which encompasses approximately 1,605 acres on the 112 miles of
coastline known as the "Mexican Caribbean". Located approximately 40 miles
south of Cancun near the town of Playa del Carmen, on the Tulum corridor in the
province of Quintana Roo, this rapidly growing tourist destination is renowned
for its pristine beaches, lush jungle, Mayan ruins and world-class diving and
snorkeling.

Mr. William R. Fatt, Chief Executive Officer, FHR commented on the
announcement, saying, "We are excited to be part of this exclusive new resort
destination on the Mayan Riviera. Development of this resort is a strategic
move to build on Fairmont's presence in Mexico, where we have already
established strong brand identity with our two Acapulco resorts."

The Fairmont Mayakoba will be located in the heart of the tropical jungle and
around the area's natural interior lagoons. Guestrooms and suites will be in 97
two-storey units set in clusters throughout the jungle, including 33 one-, two-
and three-bedroom casitas, some with ocean views. In addition, the hotel will
offer approximately 30,000 sq. ft of meeting space. The region's diverse
natural vegetation and lagoons inspired the resort's design developed by
Dallas-based 3 Architecture and Unidad-Diseno SC.

The resort will manage and have priority access to a Greg Norman designed
18-hole championship golf course, one of two courses at the Mayakoba
development. A 16,000 sq. ft. Willow Stream spa will also be introduced with 19
treatment rooms, including deluxe massage rooms and two couple's rooms. Willow
Stream, Fairmont's unique spa collection introduced in 2001, has quickly earned
acclaim for its outstanding design, service and treatments. After a session at
the spa, or a round on the links, guests will have the option of dining at one
of the resort's three restaurants, or unwinding in the health club, tennis
courts or 10,000 sq. ft. pool. The Fairmont Mayakoba will also feature a
special children's play area and pool.

While the sun, sand, golf and spa elements essential to any warm weather resort
are in place, The Fairmont Mayakoba will also offer exciting alternatives for
the eco-tourist, the adventurer and the culture enthusiast. Guests will be able
to take nature tours of the resort grounds filled with exotic mangrove trees
and a wide variety of native flora and fauna, or visit one of the local
eco-reserves like Sian Ka'am. The Riviera Maya boasts the world's second
largest coral reef and is a popular destination for scuba diving and
snorkeling, including exploration of mystical underwater cenotes, luminous
caverns that were once a source of fresh water for the Mayans. The resort is
also close to the magnificent Mayan sites of Tulum, Coba and Chichen Itza.
Nearby Playa del Carmen offers exuberant nightlife, in addition to
sophisticated boutiques and fine dining.

About Obrascon Huarte Lain, S.A.

Obrascon Huarte Lain, S.A, ("OHL"), an international construction and
development company based in Madrid, Spain. OHL is one of the largest
construction and services groups in Spain and a major contractor in Mexico and
South America. It is publicly listed on the Spanish stock exchange.

About Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Inc.

FHR is one of North America's leading owner/operators of luxury hotels and
resorts. FHR's managed portfolio consists of 83 luxury and first-class
properties with more than 33,000 guestrooms in the United States, Canada,
Mexico, Bermuda, Barbados and the United Arab Emirates. It holds an 83.5%
controlling interest in Fairmont Hotels Inc., North America's largest luxury
hotel management company, as measured by rooms under management. Fairmont
manages 44 distinctive city center and resort hotels such as The Fairmont San
Francisco, The Fairmont Banff Springs and The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. FHR
also owns Delta Hotels, Canada's largest first-class hotel management company,
which manages and franchises 39 city center and resort properties in Canada. In
addition to hotel management, FHR holds real estate interests in 23 properties
and an approximate 35% investment interest in Legacy Hotels Real Estate
Investment Trust, which owns 24 properties.

For more information on Fairmont Hotels & Resorts or reservations, please

call 800-441-1414, or visit us online at http://www.fairmont.com/mayakoba 

DATASOURCE: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Inc.



CONTACT: Emma Thompson, Executive Director Investor Relations, Fairmont

Hotels & Resorts, [phone], ; Laura

Fairweather, Executive Director Public Relations, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts,

[phone], 

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