Hard Rock International and Sol Melia Hotels and Resorts announced that their joint-venture company, Lifestar Hoteles Espana S.L., will manage Europe`s first Hard Rock Hotel in Madrid. The 201-room Tryp Reina Victoria Hotel, which is held by Sol Melia under a long-term lease, is in the heart of Madrid`s old city in the western end of the pedestrianized Plaza de Santa Ana. The hotel will undergo an extensive refurbishment to commence immediately, following which it will be re-branded the Hard Rock Hotel Madrid. The refurbishment will not compromise the facade of the building, representative of Madrid`s urbanism.

Scheduled to open late 2005, Hard Rock Hotel Madrid will be a luxury hotel offering the finest services and facilities for both business and leisure travelers. The joint venture will manage the hotel under the terms of a long-term management contract.

The Hard Rock Hotel Madrid is extremely exciting for us. This property brings our hotel brand to one of Europe`s most thriving and charismatic cities, and also provides Hard Rock Hotels with a platform for our future development in Europe, said Trevor Horwell, vice president of hotels and casinos, Hard Rock Cafe International. In developing and operating the Hard Rock Hotel Madrid, we look forward to delivering Hard Rock`s outstanding music, food, design and service excellence to business travelers and tourists alike.

Overlooking the Plaza Santa Ana with its abundance of bars and restaurants, the former Tryp Reina Victoria is situated in one of Madrid`s most vibrant locations, near the city`s creative and media business communities. The hotel is opposite the Teatro Espanol, the oldest theatre in the city, close to the museums of El Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen, triangle of the arts, and a brief walk from the Plaza Mayor, Spanish Parliament, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Puerta del Sol. The majestic building was built in the 20s of the last Century over the former Ariza`s palace, property of the Count of Montijo.

With world class properties throughout Madrid, Sol Melia will bring to our loyal guests and locals, the most exciting destination hotel concept that Madrid will enjoy, said Sebastian Escarrer, Vice-Chairman and CEO, Sol Melia Hotels and Resorts. Guests will be able to enjoy a first-rate experience with the highest technological amenities in every room, including a DVD player, top-notch stereo system and high speed Internet connections. The hotel will also boast meeting rooms, Gym and Spa. The Hard Rock Hotel Madrid will be a valuable asset for the city while also serving as an ambassador for future European Hard Rock Hotels.

Keith Hobbs of London-based United Designers has been selected as the project`s interior designer, whose previous credits include designing the Metropolitan Hotel London, Parrot Cay Turks and Caicos, the Clarence Hotel Dublin, Nobu Restaurant London, amongst many others. The new hotel is set to become a strong force in Madrid from a leisure, business and group standpoint, offering an international destination restaurant on the ground floor, as well as an outdoor terrace covering the roof that overlooks Madrid`s skyline.