May 15th 2006 was a special day for the Saxon State Capital of Dresden, Germany, and the German Maritim Hotel Company.

After great local and regional anticipation, Dr. Monika Gommolla, Chairlady of the hotel company, cut a symbolic ribbon to open the new Maritim Hotel Dresden.

The First mayor of Dresden, Dr. Lutz Vogel and the CEO of AXA Investment Management, Dr. Karl-Josef Herrmanns-Engel were also present at the ceremony.

The hotel is the 45th in the Maritim Hotel portfolio. Everybody in Dresden has been waiting for this moment and is very pleased that the former urban warehouse, which lay waste for many years, is now used again expediently.

This impressive hotel with its exceptional architecture is ideally situated on the banks of the river Elbe, close to the State Parliament, the Semperoper and many other parts of the historic old town centre of Dresden.

The International Congress Centre Dresden, which is immediately adjacent to the hotel, opened two years ago and is also operated by Maritim. It offers the largest and most up-to-date convention facilities in the region with capacity for up to 6,000 people.

Guests can move comfortably between the two buildings via a short subterranean passage. In realizing the Maritim motto of "meeting and living under one roof", Dr. Monika Gommolla is confident that this complex will become the prime resource for large conferences and conventions in Dresden and Saxony.

The hotel's managing director, Gerhard Riegger, supports his view: "Advance hotel bookings for 2006 exceed all expectations. This, accompanied by the outstanding popularity of the International Congress Centre which welcomed over 230,000 guests in 2005, suggests that Dresden is without doubt moving into the champion's league of European Congress cities".

The Maritim Hotel Dresden offers 328 rooms including 40 suites of various categories. The Presidential Suite on the eighth floor covers 165 square metres and can be expanded further into neighbouring rooms.

It meets the most rigorous security standards and fulfils the highest requirements of any guests, be they important state visitors or private international travellers. It also offers a delightful panorama of the famous baroque skyline of Dresden.

The hotel restaurant is set in the largest winter-garden in the city. It caters for up to 415 diners and has superb views over the River Elbe. Before or after dinner, the comfortable piano bar offers a relaxing environment for a drink and a chat. The fitness area covers 450 square metres with a variety of options.

There is a swimming pool, a Roman steam bath, a Finnish sauna and a gymnasium. Above the pool, 120 light points set in a glittering cloudscape create a delightful and relaxing ambience. The hotel also provides underground parking facilities for 118 vehicles with a further 263 spaces available at the adjacent International Congress Centre.

Because of its pleasant riverside setting and its proximity to the famous old town, the Maritim Hotel Dresden is a perfect base for visitors. Both lively city life and cultural attractions are readily accessible.

Saxon-baroque landmarks such as the Frauenkirche, Zwinger, Semperoper are well worth a visit as is the entire Dresdner Elbtal. From the Pillnitz Palace in the east to the Übigau Palace in the west, the unique culture of the area will leave any visitor with unforgettable memories. In 2004, this area was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites Germany.

For enquiries & bookings, please contact: Maritim Hotel & Conference Centre, Dresden, Tel: 0049 (0)351 2160 Fax: 0049 (0)351 216000 E-mail: info.dre@maritim.de