MELBOURNE, September 6, 2006 – Leading five-star luxury property The Langham Hotel, Melbourne, takes another leap forward with the opening of its newly refurbished adjoining lounge bar, ARIA, on September 1, 2006.

A multi-million dollar refurbishment by the Buchan Group is revolutionizing Australian hotel dining. The transformed Melba brasserie on the podium level features innovative open kitchens that evoke a vibrant and sophisticated food market atmosphere. Guests can observe culinary creations on site from a series of themed kitchens. The stunning design offers unprecedented views over the Yarra River and the Melbourne city skyline.

The elegant new Aria Lounge features a long center bar, plush velvet and leather seating along with distinctive steel and bronze lace screens. The hotel’s exceptional location on Southgate, amongst the city’s art venues, apartments and offices, makes it one of Melbourne’s most prized meeting points.

Since the hotel’s rebranding in January 2005, The Langham Hotel, Melbourne has invested significant capital to elevate the property to the forefront of Melbourne’s five-star hotels. Melba’s remarkable transformation and the creation of the Aria Lounge and Bar further enhance the hotel’s already impressive reputation.

Melba

Seats: 245 guests

Hours of operation

Breakfast 6.00am-10.30am

Sunday brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Lunch 12:00-16:00

Dinner 18:00-12:00

With floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Yarra River and the Melbourne city skyline, Melba Restaurant is named after Dame Nellie Melba, the famous Melbourne opera singer of the early 20th century.

Dame Nellie Melba was highly acclaimed, modern and accomplished and all of these sentiments will be expressed in the revamped Melba.

Melba’s dynamic new design includes a series of open, interactive kitchens and cooking stations where guests can communicate with chefs and select from a wide range of international and local culinary offerings. The innovative, multi-million dollar renovation features a vibrant, state-of-the-art design that includes an Asian wok and dumpling section, an Indian tandoori oven and spice kitchen, a rotisserie kitchen, and an expansive chilled seafood section displayed in a block of backlit and independent marbelo ice. stables. There will also be a decadent dessert display offering a wide selection of indulgent treats. The eclectic menu will satisfy a wide variety of tastes and will showcase premium Victorian produce and local wines.

Aria

Seats: 70 diners

Hours of operation:

Every day from 7:30 to 1:00

Snacks 10:30 – 12:00

Bar 11.00am-1.00am

The newly created Aria Ballroom at The Langham Hotel, Melbourne will be an elegant and central meeting point located on the podium level of the hotel. The lavishly decorated ballroom will feature a long central bar and enclave seating divided by elegant steel and bronze lace screens. With traditional leather and velvet upholstery and a relaxed yet elegant residential feel, the salon is an ideal meeting place for day or night.

Aria will offer refreshments and light meals throughout the day, including the hotel’s famous Afternoon Tea experience with a choice of Chocolate Indulgence, traditional Viennese Afternoon Tea or the exotic Chuan Spa Revive Afternoon Tea. Each afternoon, the bar will serve classic and innovative cocktails, premium champagne and fine craft wines, including a significant selection of Tasmanian and Victorian Pinot Noirs by the glass.

To book, call reservations on 1800 641 107 or email [email protected]

Langham Advantage Club membership is available and provides members with ongoing food and beverage incentives as well as value when booking hotel accommodations or Chuan Spa services. Gift certificates are also available through the hotel.

Background Notes:

Located in the exclusive riverside precinct of Southbank and with stunning views of Melbourne’s city skyline, the Yarra River and Federation Square, The Langham Hotel, Melbourne offers an opulent experience on the doorstep of the city. The property has 387 rooms and extensive conference and meeting facilities. In September 2006, the property opened the stylish new Aria Lounge and re-launched the exciting and interactive Melba Brewery. The property offers an executive club lounge complete with personalized butler service, which is a member of Leading Spas of the World. Ranked Melbourne’s most popular hotel for international travelers by Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Travel Awards for 2005, the 25-Floor Hotel is a member of the prestigious Leading Hotels of the World.

About Langham

Langham has a legendary hotel heritage dating back to 1865, when The Langham Hotel in London originally opened as Europe’s first Grand Hotel. For 140 years, this flagship hotel has been at the forefront of gracious and sophisticated hospitality. Today, all Langham hotels around the world inherit the same philosophy that reflects elegance, continuous innovation and genuine hospitality creating a truly unique hotel experience.

About Langham Hotels International: Langham Hotels International (LHI) has six properties with more than 2,700 rooms in five gateway cities on four continents, including London, Boston, Hong Kong (2), Melbourne and Auckland. In each city, Langham Hotels is associated with the prestigious group “The Leading Hotels of the World”, which represents some of the best luxury hotels in the world.

LHI is wholly owned by Great Eagle Holdings Limited, a publicly traded company (HKSE: 41), founded in 1963 and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 1972.