November 2007
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts debuts in Africa
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts announced today the Fairmont Mara Safari Club has opened following an extensive renovation program. Surrounded on three sides by the Mara River, and on the edge of the world's Seventh "New" Wonder of the World - the Masai Mara - Fairmont Mara Safari Club is the epitome of tented luxury.
The resort will be joined by two additional renowned Kenyan properties in the coming months; in total, US$35 million of phased enhancements have been invested into Fairmont Mara Safari Club, Fairmont The Norfolk and Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club, providing rich and distinctive offerings to guests.
About Fairmont Hotels & Resorts:
A leader in the global hospitality industry, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is an extraordinary collection of luxury hotels that truly reflect the essence of their destination. Featuring iconic landmarks like The Fairmont San Francisco, The Fairmont Banff Springs, and London's Savoy, Fairmont hotels are more than a place to stay; they are one-of-a-kind properties where sophisticated travelers can discover storied life experiences. Situated in some of the most exclusive and pristine areas in the world, Fairmont locations provide access to activities that are culturally rich and authentically local. From inviting beaches and tranquil spas to challenging golf courses and exhilarating ski hills, guests can fulfill their lifelong desires at Fairmont. With an enduring connection to the land and communities where we do business, Fairmont is also committed to responsible tourism and is an industry leader in sustainable hotel management with its award-winning Green Partnership program. With over 50 distinctive hotels in 12 countries, and more than 20 properties currently in development, Fairmont is committed to growing its portfolio of world-class hotels and plans to add properties in coveted international destinations like Cairo, Shanghai, Dubai, and Beijing over the next few years. Fairmont is owned by Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, a leading global hotel company with over 80 hotels in 25 countries worldwide under the Raffles, Fairmont and Swissôtel brands. The company also owns Fairmont and Raffles branded Residences, Estates and luxury private residence club properties. For more information visit www.fairmont.com
Scandinavian ice hotels: A totally cool experience
In Lapland, the winters are long and cold and if there is anything in abundance, then snow and ice are it. The stuff can be used not only to build snowmen, but entire buildings too - and not just little Eskimo-style igloos.
More and more often, real hotels of snow and ice are coming up, such as in Jukkasjarvi, in northern Sweden above the Arctic Circle. In Kemi in Finland and most recently in Hunderfossen Winterpark, near Lillehammer, Norway. The ice hotel in Hunderfossen lays claim to being the southernmost one in Scandinavia.
The best-known structure of its kind goes by the name ICEHOTEL and rises anew each year, as soon as the outdoor temperatures are consistently below freezing point.
The hotel is in Jukkasjarvi, less than 20 km from the northern Swedish town of Kiruna. For several weeks beginning in late autumn, the small village of Jukkasjarvi is a big construction site.
Huge blocks of ice weighing about 10,000 tonnes are taken from the Torne river, which flows past Jukkasjarvi and freezes over in winter. The ice, together with 30,000 tonnes of snow, is used as building material.
ICEHOTEL consists of 65 rooms and suites, an ice church, an ice bar, and a sauna that, for obvious reasons, is located in a separate building. Ice artists from various countries come to create the complex. The "ice rooms" are made completely of ice and snow.
The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. attracts record number of applicants in 2007
The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. has attracted an unprecedented 1,300 inquiries - in just the first nine months of 2007 - from hotels seeking membership in the prestigious organization. Of that record number, 90 were inspected and 41 accepted thus far.
While this level of interest has far exceeded levels seen in all previous years, it really is not surprising, because Leading Hotels continues to deliver steadily increasing business - in revenue and reservations - for its members.
Sustaining a solid trend through the third quarter of 2007, the company had generated hotel revenue at an all-time high of USD 494 million. Internet sales also are strong, with its online division - Leading Interactive Reservations - producing hotel revenue of USD 87 million. In the meetings and groups segment, Leading Group Sales produced USD 25.7 million thus far for the year.
£100M Rebirth of the Savoy Hotel
It has played host to Sir Winston Churchill and Hollywood stars Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor, and Hollywood stars Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor, who spent her first honeymoon there.
Hellraising actor Richard Harris lived there while in London. It is also where the dish Peach Melba was created. Oscar Wilde entertained his gay lover there and sex siren Marlene Dietrich claimed to have a lover on every floor of the hotel.
Built on the site of a former palace, the Savoy was opened by Richard D'Oyly Carte in 1889 and is regarded as the most modern hotel in the world, the first to boast hot and cold running water and electric lighting throughout.
Following the purchase of the world-famous hotel by Canadian company Fairmont Hotels in 2005, the West End landmark - which can cost between £249 and £539 for a room - is to undergo a major programme of refurbishment, including some of the 263 guest rooms, bars, restaurants and the Savoy court.
Architect Pierre-Yves Rochon, who is well known for his work on the Four Seasons Georges V in Paris and the L'Hermitage in La Baule, will complete the work in 2009.
"It is going to be a new chapter in the Savoy's grand history," says Kiaran Macdonald who has been the hotel's manager for just over a year. "It's not the end of the book just yet.
Legendary Paris hotel renovates and relaunches
Sofitel, the French luxury hotel brand, is relaunching the historic Scribe hotel in the heart of Paris after the completion of a comprehensive two year programme of renovations, undertaken by renowned French interior designer, Jacques Grange.
Located a few steps from the Opéra Garnier and the Place Vendôme, the hotel was entirely renovated and offers new spaces ready to welcome the most discerning guests including an exclusive day spa, the "Le Café Lumière", the "La Maison de Thé" and a fitness center.
About Accor:
Accor, the European leader and a major global group in hotels, the global leader in services to corporate clients and public institutions, operates in nearly 100 countries with 170,000 employees. It offers to its clients over 40 years of expertise in its two core businesses:
• Hotels, with the Sofitel, Pullman, Novotel, Mercure, Suitehotel, Ibis, All Seasons, Etap Hotel, Formule 1 and Motel 6 brands, representing more than 4,000 hotels and nearly 500,000 rooms in 90 countries, as well as strategically related activities, such as Lenôtre.
• Services, with 23 million people in nearly 40 countries benefiting from Accor Services products in human resources, marketing services and expense management.
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Peter Knoll, who, after assignments at various hotels, joins the Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest as of October 1, as Resident Manager.
Zoltán Somlyai who has been with the Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest since its opening, in Reception and the Front Office, and will assume responsibilities as Director of Sales and Marketing as of September 1.
Philippe de Meyer will be the opening General Manger of the Kempinski Hotel Charles Cinq in Bruges. He is a former Area Director of Operations for Pestana in Madeira, and also served as General Manager of the Montfleury in Cannes.
Marcos Bekhit moves across town to the Four Seasons Istanbul at the Bosphorus as General Manager and Regional Vice President. He was most recently at the Four Seasons Istanbul at Sultanahmet as General Manager and Regional Vice President.
Nicolas Pezout has been appointed Food and Beverage Manager at the Mövenpick Hotel and Casino Geneva, taking over from Olivier Phocas. Most recently, Pezout oversaw the banquet and food and beverage operation at the Hotel de Crillon in Paris. In addition, he has held similar positions at the Paris Hilton, Hilton Charles de Gaulle and the Martinez in Cannes.
Devi Chima has been appointed Senior Business Development Manager at Sofitel Hotel and Resorts. She was most recently the Acting Director of Sales and Marketing at Brown’s, Rocco Forte Hotels.
Tom Donovan has been appointed General Manager of the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, slated for re-opening in January 2008. He was most recently in the same position at the Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch. He has been with the company for 17 years in various positions in Phoenix, Jamaica and Philadelphia.
Marco Battistotti is the new General Manager at the G Hotel in Penang. He was most recently overseeing the Le Méridien Singapore. He has previously held senior managerial positions with the St. James’s Club in London, Movenpick, Sheraton and Westin.
Thomas Hoeborn moves to Bangkok to lead the Millennium Hilton Bangkok. He was most recently at the Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa, which he managed for two years.
Jimmy Chan has joined the Four Seasons Macau as Director of Human Resources. He comes from Macau’s StarWorld Hotel and Casino, where he held the same title. Prior to that, he was the Director of Human Resources at the Grand Stanford InterContinental Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
At Shangri-La, Cornell grad Barbara Pang has been promoted to Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing, reporting directly to Chief Operating Officer Symon Bridle. Pang moves up from the position of Vice President Marketing she held since 2003. Prior to that, she held key sales and marketing positions with Hyatt International, including that of opening Director of Marketing at the Grand Hyatt Shanghai.
Marriott International has appointed Anthony Armas Thailand Director of Marketing. Since 2005, he has served as Cluster Director of Marketing for Minor International. He joined Marriott in 1995 and has held various roles for the company in San Juan, Santo Domingo, Costa Rica and Mexico.
Marc Handl has joined the Grand Hyatt Seoul as Executive Assistant Manager-Marketing. His previous positions include Director of Food and Beverage at the Park Hyatt Chicago, Assistant Director of Food and Beverage at the Grand Hyatt Beijing. In addition, he has held various positions with Hyatt in Tokyo, Paris, Sao Paulo and Hong Kong.
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