Thistle Hotels Crown Social Restaurant Wins Two AA Rosettes

LONDON, May 20, 2011 - Thistle Hotels has announced that just two months from its opening, the
Crown Social restaurant at The Parc by Thistle in Cardiff has been awarded
two prestigious AA rosettes by the association's independent restaurant
inspectors.

The contemporary, restaurant in Cardiff
(www.thistle.com/en/hotels/united_kingdom/cardiff/the_parc_hotel/restaurants_and_bars/hamons.html);
a joint venture between Thistle Hotels and Crown Hotels & Restaurants, is
headed up by former Michelin-accredited celebrity chef Martin Blunos. Both
Martin and his team, including sous chef Lance Keirle, were praised by
the AA inspector for their 'fine cooking' and were awarded a standout
score of 92% for their dishes.

The inspector particularly enjoyed Crown Social's unique 'sharing'
concept; whereby diners are encouarged to sample different tasting plates
together. The Cardiff hotel restaurant
(www.thistle.com/en/hotels/united_kingdom/cardiff/the_parc_hotel/restaurants_and_bars/hamons.html)
uses fresh and local produce throughout the menu and a contemporary take
on traditional Welsh dishes which was also highly praised.

The Parc by Thistle
(www.thistle.com/en/hotels/united_kingdom/cardiff/the_parc_hotel/index.html)
was also awarded an impressive AA merit score of 85% and retained its 4
star rating. In particular, the staff scored highly in the service category,
achieving an overall service score of 90% and attaining the maximum 5 star
qualifier rating.

Johnny Davies, director of the Monmouthshire-based Crown Hotels &
Restaurants, said: "The two AA rosettes are very well deserved recognition
for Martin Blunos and his entire Crown Social team who have all worked
extremely hard first to create the Crown Social and then deliver this superb
dining experience. Crown Social now stands even more proudly alongside our
existing fine dining restaurants; our Michelin star Crown at Whitebrook, near
Monmouth and our three AA rosette Crown at Celtic Manor."

The Parc by Thistle's general manager, Richard O'Riordan added: "The
whole team and I are thrilled to have been awarded such a high honour so soon
after the Crown Social's opening. Since our launch night, the people of
Cardiff have shown a real interest in what the restaurant has to offer as a
different dining concept - now that we've been awarded these two rosettes, we
hope to entice even more people through our doors and bring further success
to the Parc by Thistle."

About Thistle:

Thistle Hotels (www.thistle.com/en/index.html) is part of Guoman
Hotel Management (UK) Limited which operates hotels throughout the UK.
Thistle has 33 hotels across the country, many in city centre locations,
including eleven in central London. With a selection of restaurants and a
choice of 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.

    For further press information please contact:

    Kymberley Hill
    Thistle press office
    Red Consultancy
    41-44 Great Windmill Street
    London
    W1D 7NF
    +44(0)20-7025-6664
    www.thistle.com

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