June 2007
IHGs Patrick Imbardelli named Asia Pacific
Hotelier of the Year 2006
A. Patrick Imbardelli, Chief Executive of IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) Asia Pacific, has been named Hotelier of the Year 2006 at the 10th Asia Pacific Hotel Investment Conference, organised and hosted by Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels.
The eighth recipient to receive the prestigious award, Mr. Imbardelli has been leading many high-profile developments for the group since he took on his role at IHG Asia Pacific in 2003.
IHG today has grown to 188 hotels in the region, with 105 more in the development pipeline. The company is now one of the largest international hotel groups in Greater China, well on track to achieving its goal of having 125 hotels opened by 2008. The recently formed IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan a joint venture with All Nippon Airways also makes IHG one of the biggest international hotel operators in Japan. The company is also growing in India, another strategic business tourism market within the region.
A veteran hotelier, Mr Imbardelli has over 24 years of experience in the hotel and tourism industry. A member of the Young Presidents Organisation, he has held key appointments in industry bodies and other advisory boards, including the Global Hoteliers Society. Both the Fred Hollows Foundation and the Variety Club International have recognized him for contributions to the disadvantaged and underprivileged children in Australia and Southeast Asia.
Each year, the Asia Pacific Hotel Investment Conference honours an Asia Pacific Hotelier who has had the greatest impact on the regions hospitality industry. The Hotelier of the Year award was first presented at the 3rd Asia Pacific Hotel Investment Conference in 2000. Mr. Imbardelli joins the list of past winners which include:
Mr. Kwek Leng Beng, Executive Chairman of Hong Leong Group
Dr. Hari Harilela, Chairman of The Harilela Group
Mr. Richard Hartman, Managing Director of InterContinental Hotels Group
Mr. Gwee Liang Kheng, President and Chief Executive Officer of publicly listed company Hotel Plaza Limited, and also President and CEO of United Overseas Land
Mr. David Baffsky, Chairman of Accor Asia Pacific
Dr. Lo Ka Shui, GBS JP, Deputy Chairman and Managing Director of Great Eagle Holdings and Chairman of the Langham Hotels International Group
Mr. Giovanni Angelini, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts
Held annually in Singapore, the Asia Pacific Hotel Investment Conference brings together senior decision-makers of hotel owning and operating companies as well as investors.
Kitchen nightmare for Gordon Ramsay in New York
Gordon Ramsay's New York restaurant has come under fire from neighbouring residents, who have launched an official campaign against the eaterie alleging health and building code violations.
The campaign represents another challenge for Ramsay's first US operation, which opened on 16 November.
It comes less than a month after staff reportedly threatened to walk out in a row over tips.
Residents of 150 West 55th Street, which is adjacent to the London Hotel and Gordon Ramsay at the London, have held a meeting with NYC councillor Daniel Garodnick complaining about "endless aggravation" caused by the establishment.
Violations cited include the blocking of pavements, noise disturbances by air conditioning and exhaust fans, unhealthy air quality, damage to pavement tree boxes, and blockage of public walkway space.
Hilton Hotels sells 10 hotels to Morgan Stanley Real Estate
Hilton Hotels Corporation has announced a deal today to sell 10 European hotels to Morgan Stanley Real Estate (MSRE) for €566m (£387m).
Long term management agreements have been put in place for Hilton in five of the hotels in Dusseldorf, Dresden, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Strasbourg and Zurich.
As part of the deal MSRE will invest immediately €18m (£12m) to upgrade the properties.
Long term management agreements with Hilton for the hotels in Barcelona, Luxembourg and Brussels are expected to be finalised soon.
The Los Zocos Club Resort in the Canary Islands is being sold without contract and the Weimar hotel in Germany will remain under a short term agreement pending an evaluation.
Robert La Forgia, executive vice president and chief financial officer for Hilton, said: "This transaction is a significant step for Hilton as we continue to focus on our strategy of growing our managed and franchise business, while reducing asset ownership and strengthening our balance sheet."
The proceeds from the sale will be used to pay down debt. On completion of the deal, Hilton will have sold over $4.5b (£3.08m) of assets.
Four Seasons shareholders OK privatization plan
Four Seasons Hotels said on Thursday its shareholders have approved a plan to take the luxury hotel chain private.
The company said 69 percent of the holders of limited voting shares approved the plan proposed by a syndicate of investors that includes Microsoft Corp.'s Bill Gates, Saudi Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud and his family, and Four Seasons' Chairman Isadore Sharp.
The company said the transaction will be completed in the second quarter of 2007. A final court hearing on the deal is scheduled for April 13.
The hotel company agreed in February to a $3.37 billion offer to be taken private by the group. Shareholders will receive $82 a share.
Four Seasons shares were down 67 Canadian cents at C$94.07 on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
($1=$1.15 Canadian)
Barry Sternlicht's New Brand "1" Hotel and Residences Planning a 31 Story Mixed-use Green Tower across from Bryant Park, New York City
Starwood Capital Group today announced that the recently launched "1" Hotel and Residences, the world's first luxury, eco-friendly global hotel brand, will open New York City's first five-star green hotel on West 40th Street in Manhattan, across from Bryant Park. The "1" Hotel and Residences will be part of a proposed 31-story mixed-use green tower being developed by 40th Street Development, LLC, an affiliate of Ascent Real Estate Advisors, LLC, of New York. The new luxury project, which will also feature condominium residences and dining concepts developed by restaurateur Stephen Hanson, will be a green project built to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Standards.
The "1" Hotel and Residences at Bryant Park will open during the first half of 2010. It will demonstrate that green principles can coexist and enhance a luxury hospitality experience and healthy residential lifestyle. The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is serving as an advisor on "1" with the goal of helping Starwood Capital set a new standard for environmental excellence. The "1" Hotel at Bryant Park will also donate one percent of its profits to local environmental organizations guided by a steering committee with NRDC representation. Other "1" Hotels are currently being planned for Seattle, Scottsdale, Az., Ft. Lauderdale, Fl., Mammoth Lakes, Ca., Washington, D.C. and Paris.
Shangri-La announces new Traders Hotel in Beijing to open August 2008
Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Asia Pacific’s leading luxury hotel group, today signed a management agreement with Beijing-based Super Shine Co. Ltd. to operate a new Traders Hotel, located on Xiao Yun Road, in Upper East Beijing. The Traders Hotel, opening early August 2008, in time for the Beijing Olympic Games, will be the group’s second Traders Hotel in the city. The Traders Hotel will be conveniently located in the north east of Beijing’s Central Business District by the 4th Ring Road, and within 20 minutes drive of Beijing Capital International Airport.
Hilton announces new chief executive
Hilton Hotels Corporation has announced that Matthew Hart, its president and chief operating officer (COO), will replace retiring chief executive Stephen Bollenbach on 1 January 2008.
Hart, 54, joined the hotels giant in 1996 as chief financial officer. He was named president and COO in 2004 and was elected to the board in January of this year.
Hart will become only the fourth chief executive officer in the company's nearly 90-year history, following Conrad Hilton, Barron Hilton and Bollenbach.
Bollenbach, who announced last January he would retire on 31 December, will continue as co-chairman and a consultant.
He said: "With his nearly 30 years of experience in the lodging industry, and the breadth of his responsibilities here at Hilton since 1996, including driving our financial and operational activities, Matt is uniquely suited to lead our company into the future and strengthen our position as the premier global hotel company,".
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Pascal Forotti becomes the General Manager of the InterContinental Toronto, succeeding Yannis Anagnostakis, who will be leaving the company. Forotti had, a year ago, been promoted from Hotel Manager at the InterContinental Buckhead to the same position at the InterContinental Chicago.
Raphael Guillien transfers to Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa in Siem Reap, Cambodia as General Manager.
Hanno Stamm takes his place as General Manager at the Victoria Phan Thiet Beach Resort & Spa.
Carola Buck, a graduate in economics from Germany’s Bayreuth University, and Heidelberg’s Hotel Management School, is the new Front Office Manager at Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa. She joins from Hotel Splendid Conference & Spa Resort in Montenegro. Her career previously took her to Abu Dhabi, with Le Meridien, and the Reethi Rah Resort in The Maldives.
Francois Foulon is new Sales Manager at Victoria Head Office. For the past two years he has managed the Victoria Express Train.
Eric Simard, General Manager of Victoria Hotels & Resorts, said: “I’m delighted to welcome our new team members, and confident our resort manager shuffles will continue our mission to create the most outstanding chain of boutique resorts and spas in Indochina."
Mr. Jean-Maurice (Maurice) Bertrand is appointed Food & Beverage Manager at Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort & Spa. The graduate of Geneva’s Hotel Management School joins from Sheraton Oran Hotels and Towers in Algeria, where he was Conferences and Banqueting Director. His hospitality career has taken him from hotels in Switzerland to Brazil, where he managed a restaurant, and Myanmar.
The Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest welcomes Roland Holzer, new Executive Chef.
Mr. Holzer started his employment in the Kempinski hotel group in 1998 as Executive Sous Chef, then Executive Chef at the Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow in Russia, where he was in charge of no less than 42 chefs and 19 stewards. In 2004 he moved to the Hotel Kempinski Amman in the same capacity and overseeing a similarly sizeable team while making preparations for a grand opening in 2005.
A warm welcome to Simon Zaglmann, who joins the Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest in the capacity of Director of Food & Beverage to oversee the hotel’s restaurants, the banquet and catering activities as well as the associated responsibilities. He arrived from the Kempinski Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Munich where he held the same position.
The Kempinski Hotel Corvinus welcomes its long-time colleague Balázs Csidei in a new position as of April, Human Resources Manager. Mr. Csidei studied Hospitality Management in Budapest as well as in Kempten (Germany), and he also has a valuable background in law.
Suzanne Chabre has joined Pinnacle Entertainment as Vice President-Brand Marketing. She joined the company from MGM Mirage, where she served as Vice President of Marketing, Residential Division for the City Center project in Las Vegas. Previously, she served as a marketing integration team leader during and after Harrah's Entertainment acquisition of Caesars Entertainment.
Hubert Desmarais has joined the Fairmont Turnberry Isle as Executive Chef. He spent seventeen years at what is now the Four Seasons Palm Beach, taking part in its opening under its original name of Ocean Grand.
Claudio Melli has joined the Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa in Edinburgh as Executive Assistant Manager. He most recently served as Executive Assistant Manager in charge of Food and Beverage at the Regent Taipei.
Andrew Steele has been promoted by Shangri-La to General Manager of the Shangri-La New Delhi. He was previously the Resident Manager at Shangri-Laís Tanjung Aru Resort in Malaysia.
Andrew Houghton has been appointed General Manager of the JW Marriott Shanghai. He replaces John Northen who is taking on a new role as General Manager of the soon-to-open Renaissance Zhong Shan Park in Shanghai. Houghtonís most recent role was Brand Executive Vice President, Full Service Brands for Marriott International corporate headquarters in Washington, DC.
Esther Boudara has transferred to the InterContinental Bora Bora Moana Resort as Hotel Manager. She comes from Paris where she was most recently the Club and Business Center Manager at the InterContinental Paris Grand Hotel.
Fabio Piccirillo has been promoted to Chief Executive Officer of Sun Resorts Ltd. in Mauritius. He was previously the Regional Executive Director, One&Only Resorts, Mauritius.
Raul Salcido has been promoted to General Manager of the Ritz-Carlton Istanbul. He started with the company in 1993 at the Ritz-Carlton Cancun and has held various positions at the Ritz-Carlton Washington D.C., the Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach and the Ritz-Carlton Santiago, among others. Most recently, he has held the position of Hotel Manager at the Hotel Arts Barcelona.
Armin Zerounian was transferred by Hilton to General Manager of the Conrad Istanbul. He was previously the General Manager of the Hilton Prague. In Istanbul, he takes over from Asaad Farag, who has returned to the United States.
Sylvain Chauvet has been named General Manager at the Corinthia Atlantic Hotel in West Africa. He comes from Tanzania where he was the General Manager at Karafuu for the past five years. Prior to that, he spent four years as Director and Operations Manager for Tanganyika Wildlife Safari Company also in Tanzania.
Charlie Parker has been promoted to Resort Manager at the Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh. He comes from the Four Seasons Doha where he was most recently the Director of Rooms.
Fabrice Canelle has been named Executive Chef at the Burj Al Arab in Dubai, taking over from Jean-Paul Naquin. Canelle was the Executive Chef at the Ritz-Carlton Istanbul. Previously, he held the position of Director of Culinary Operations at the Pudong Shangri-La and Executive Chef at the Kempinski Ciragan Palace.
Jean-Paul Naquin will move over to the Atlantis Palm Dubai as Executive Chef. He comes from the same position at Hotel Burj al Arab also in Dubai. Previously, he has served as Executive Chef at Raffles Singapore, the Ritz-Carlton Seoul and the Atlantis Bahamas.
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