Disposal

Whitbread PLC
11 November 2004


11 November 2004

WHITBREAD AGREES SALE OF ITS COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT BUSINESS


Whitbread PLC announced today that it has exchanged contracts for the sale of
its group of Courtyard by Marriott hotels for £79 million.  The property assets
have been purchased by a company formed by a syndicate of private investors,
brought together by Chiltern Mondiale.

The assets will be leased to a company in the Kew Green Hotels Group, which will
run the hotels under the Courtyard by Marriott brand, through a franchise
agreement with Marriott International.

Chiltern Mondiale is a property investment company with considerable expertise
in managing transactions in the hotel industry.

Completion is expected to take place on 9th December for the nine freehold
properties. Sale of the two leasehold properties will complete once the
necessary consents have been obtained.

The consideration will be paid in cash on completion, with £30 million remaining
in escrow until completion of the leasehold property transfers.

Earlier this year, Whitbread announced it would be exiting the mid-market hotel
sector.  Under its franchise with Marriott International, the Whitbread Hotel
Company operated 11 Courtyard by Marriott hotels, comprising 867 bedrooms, all
located in the UK.

Alan Parker, chief executive of Whitbread PLC, said:  'Whitbread is now focused
on driving superior returns from its upscale Marriott hotels and on developing
the brand through management agreements. Our contract to operate the Victoria
and Albert Hotel in Manchester is a good example of this approach, as are our
proposals for the developments at St Pancras in London and at Twickenham
Stadium.

'The value of this deal reflects the strength of the Courtyard by Marriott brand
as well as the trading performance of the individual properties.'

Whitbread PLC will continue to operate its upscale Marriott hotels across the
UK.  CB Richard Ellis Hotels advised on the sale process.



                                    - ends -


Press/City contact:
Whitbread PLC                                        CB Richard Ellis Hotels
Dan Waugh                                            Heather Thomas
020 7806 5442                                        0207 182 3949
07799 581763

Julie Weldon                                         Joni Smith
020 7806 5443                                        0207 182 3947




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