The Parc by Thistle Announces New Partnership With Crown Hotels and Restaurants

LONDON, March 21, 2011 - The Parc by Thistle has announced it will be going into partnership with
South Wales-based Crown Hotels and Restaurants.

The joint venture will see the launch of a new, high-end restaurant
concept within the Cardiff hotel, (
www.thistle.com/en/hotels/united_kingdom/cardiff/the_parc_hotel/index.html)
the Crown Social. As part of this partnership, Michelin-accredited chef
Martin Blunos becomes the executive chef of the Cardiff restaurant.(
www.thistle.com/en/hotels/united_kingdom/cardiff/the_parc_hotel/restaurants_and_bars/hamons.html)

Having recently undergone a full refurbishment, The Parc hotel's
contemporary new-look restaurant and champagne bar will cater for those
seeking a pleasant wining and dining experience in the heart of the Welsh
capital.

Universally recognised as one of the UK's leading chefs, Martin Blunos
recently joined Crown Hotels & Restaurants as executive chef with a special
emphasis on expanding the restaurant business into new areas.

Blunos, born and raised near Bath by his Latvian parents, has held two
Michelin stars for more than fifteen years. He is a familiar face on TV with
his distinctive walrus moustache. He said: "The opening of the Crown Social
at The Parc Hotel, (
www.thistle.com/en/hotels/united_kingdom/cardiff/the_parc_hotel/restaurants_and_bars/index.html)
one of Cardiff's most established hotels, is very
exciting and something completely new for the city. I've assembled a first
class team for Crown Social and now can't wait to get started."

Michael Davies, director of the Monmouthshire-based Crown Hotels &
Restaurants, said: "We're thrilled and delighted to be linking with The Parc
Hotel and opening this wonderful new addition to Crown Hotels and Restaurants
which brings an entirely different, exciting style of eating right into the
heart of the city of Cardiff."

Darren Patt, Regional Operations Director comments: "We're thrilled to
announce this partnership with such a credible restaurant group; already
renowned for their excellence in award-winning fine dining and boasting
successful concepts: The Crown at Whitebrook, near Monmouth and The Crown at
Celtic Manor.

"The Parc by Thistle has the ideal city-centre location and naturally-lit
space to create an inviting, eclectic dining experience - we're confident
that with the joint reputations of Crown Hotels and Restaurants and Martin
Blunos, we will quickly establish Crown Social as one of the finest dining
destinations in South Wales."

Martin will work closely with The Parc by Thistle's general manager
Richard O'Riordan, to make a true mark for Crown Social on Wales' quality
dining map.

Crown Social will offer a contemporary take on classic Welsh dishes
already served in restaurants in Cardiff.(
www.thistle.com/en/hotels/united_kingdom/cardiff/the_parc_hotel/restaurants_and_bars/index.html)
It will be a city hotspot where guests can
informally meet, drink, dine and socialise.

(Due to the length of the above URLs, it may be necessary to copy and
paste this hyperlink into your Internet browser's URL address field. Remove
the space if one exists.)

About Thistle:

Thistle Hotels is part of Guoman Hotel Management (UK) Limited which
operates hotels throughout the UK. Thistle has 33 hotels across the country,
many in superb city centre locations, including eleven in central London.
With a selection of restaurants and a choice of excellent health and leisure
facilities, Thistle has something to offer everyone.

Thistle Hotels is the first hotel group to achieve Hospitality Assured
accreditation, across its entire UK portfolio. Created by the Institute of
Hospitality, the Hospitality Assured standard measures the quality within
customer facing businesses across the hospitality, tourism and leisure
industry.

    PR contact:

    James Watts
    Siren PR
    Room on the Roof
    Riverside Studios
    Crisp Road
    London
    W6 9RL
    +44(0)208-237-1210
    www.sirenpr.co.uk

PR contact: James Watts, Siren PR, Room on the Roof, Riverside Studios, Crisp Road, London, W6 9RL, +44(0)208-237-1210