HAMILTON, BERMUDA— Orient-Express Hotels Ltd., owners/operators of 37 hotels, tourist trains, restaurants and a river cruiser in 14 countries, has acquired La Residencia in Deia, Mallorca, Spain and Virgin Hotels of Le Manoir Aux Quat Saisons in Oxfordshire England. The company has also purchased a half interest in the Petit Blanc restaurant chain with outlets in Oxford, Cheltenham, Birmingham and Manchester, England. The purchase price was $40 million. Le Manoir Aux Quat Saisons is located just off the M40 motorway between London and Birmingham, it is a 15th century manor house set in 27 acres of gardens. A $10 million expansion has been recently completed. The hotel has 32 suites, each decorated in a different theme derived from Raymond Blancs travels. La Residencia, located in Deia, Mallorca, Spain, has 63 rooms and occupies 30 acres. The core was created from 16th and 17th century houses. Three of the suites have their own pools and there is a large main pool and tennis courts. Simon Sherwood, president of Orient-Express Hotels, said that it was a great benefit to the group to have such a “star” as Raymond Blanc in the family. He stressed that these properties have not been affected by September 11th and serve the European market rather than the U.S. market. James Sherwood, chairman, said that these 3 properties bring Orient-Express Hotels total to 40. He said that further acquisitions were currently under serious consideration and although the company generally tries to limit its purchases to 3 or 4 per year, industry conditions following September 11th have created a number of veryspecial opportunities which need to be pursued.