ANAYELA ANNOUNCES GRAND OPENING IN MARRAKESH

Palace with a Legacy Inspires Boutique Hotel

(MARRAKESH, Morocco, Feb. 21, 2008) — Amid the bustling energy of the Medina district, AnaYela Riad stands apart as a tranquil oasis for the senses. Upon arrival, guests slip out of their shoes and into a complimentary pair of babouches, traditional Moroccan slippers. A porter whisks away your bags as you are ushered through this extraordinary riad—a Moroccan palace with an interior courtyard—and transported into a world not unlike that of the “1001 Nights.” The 300-year-old palace has been converted into an upscale place of inspiration by Bernd Kolb, the German entrepreneur, Internet mogul and style arbiter.

AnaYela officially opens to the U.S. market on March 14, following months of historic restoration and a soft opening in Oct. 2007. Every piece of furniture, every lamp, even the flatware, was designed by Kolb and individually finished by Moroccan artisans. The hotel’s name translates literally to “I am Yela,” and pays homage to a beautiful woman named Yela who once lived in the palace and left behind a manuscript in a secret room describing her first love. A renowned Koranic calligrapher has engraved Yela’s passionate story on the 10’ silver doors hung throughout the hotel.

The riad offers five inspiring rooms and suites, starting at an average of $430 USD per night, based on double occupancy. Travel agents will receive a 10% commission on accommodations booked at the AnaYela. Onsite features include an opulent lounge, open-air restaurant, heated outdoor pool, terrace with spectacular views of the city, meeting spaces and a salon ouvert. Rates include local airport transfers, complimentary breakfast and use of a printer, FAX, wireless Internet and broadband. Guests may rent Dell laptops for $36 USD per day.

For creative seminars, meetings and corporate incentives, the AnaYela can be privately rented for an average cost of $2520 USD per night. Several spaces have been designed for small and large meetings. An intimate presentation room accommodates 10 guests and is equipped with A/V capabilities, including an HD monitor. A large, open parlor provides ambiance for cocktail parties and the upper terrace accommodates 100 guests. Guest excursions to the Berber villages and nearby mountains may be booked directly through AnaYela.

Already a haven for European artists, the AnaYela is poised to become legendary among American travelers seeking a truly authentic and restorative experience in Morocco.

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