April 2011
Ritz Carlton Hong Kong opens as world's highest hotel
The 312-bedroom Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong, has opened as the world's highest hotel. Located at the top of the International Commerce Centre (ICC) in Hong Kong, the hotel occupies floors 102 to 118.
Guests arrive at the hotel via the 9th floor before being transported to the hotel lobby on the 103rd floor.
The hotel offers six dining venues: Tin Lung Heen, serving Cantonese cuisine, Tosca (southern Italian) and The Lounge & Bar are on the 102nd floor, while The Chocolate library is situated on the 103rd floor and a patisserie on the 9th floor.
Ozone, serving contemporary tapas and cocktails, is the hotel's signature restaurant. Located on the 118th floor at 490 metres high, it includes the world's highest al fresco terrace with far-reaching views over the city.
There is also a Ritz-Carlton Spa by ESPA with nine treatment rooms, a fitness centre, indoor infinity pool, 10,000 square feet ballroom and four meeting rooms.
Herve Humler, president and chief operations officer of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, said the opening of the hotel was the culmination of many years of hard work and dedication to delivering the very best product, facilities and services.
"We have been able to create something truly spectacular to welcome our guests not just to the highest hotel in the world, but also to one of the very best hotels in the world," he said.
"We are taking luxury to new heights in every sense."
The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong, is the latest addition to the brand's portfolio of 75 luxury hotels worldwide and its 16th property in Asia.
Steigenberger plans to open six or seven hotels in UK
The Steigenberger Hotel Group, Germany's largest collection of branded hotels, is looking to enter the UK market by launching six to seven properties here in the next two to three years.
The company would like to open two hotels within its five-star Steigenberger Hotels and Resorts brand - one in London and one in another leading city - as well as launch four or five InterCityHotels, which are the group's three-star, mid-range business brand.
Founded in 1930 by the Steigenberger family, the company remained in family hands until September 2009 when it was bought by Egyptian tourism entrepreneur Hamed El Chiaty, owner of the Travco Group International, which comprises 57 hotels and 22 Nile cruise ships.
El Chiaty wants to expand the portfolio of 80 Steigenberger hotels beyond the borders of Germany, Switzerland and Austria where the company is concentrated.
It also has one hotel in Holland and four in Egypt.
Chief executive of the group, Arco Buijs (pictured), was appointed last July from his previous role as chief executive of the 58 NH Hotels in Benelux, France, UK, and Africa to head Steigenberger's expansion.
He said that the company is looking for management, lease and franchise opportunities in what he described as a "dynamic UK market."
Buijs is not deterred by the recent spate of five-star hotel openings in the capital.
"We are very keen to have a presence in London as the city always performs well, even in a crisis," he explained. "High occupancies are almost guaranteed here."
Steigenberger is also looking to expand into Mediterranean countries, North Africa, Middle East and Asia, as well as investing €100m (£88m) in upgrading its existing hotels.
Its landmark properties include the Frankfurther Hof in Frankfurt and the Parkhotel in Düsseldorf
Hotel pricing during Olympics under discussion
Key figures involved in a row over the pricing of hotel packages for London 2012 are to hold a meeting today in a bid to discuss the situation.
Representatives of the British Hospitality Association (BHA), the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) and Thomas Cook will all come face-to-face after news last week that Thomas Cook was charging high prices for some Olympic packages, including up to £14,000 for a four-night stay at the Waldorf Hilton with five events.
The BHA is refuting claims that hotels are profiteering from the event. Ufi Ibrahim, BHA's chief executive, said that the industry's priority is to play a full part in making the 2012 Olympic Games a success.
"Recent press comment concerning the prices that agents appointed by LOCOG - in particular Thomas Cook - are charging for Olympic ticket and hotel packages has suggested that London hotels are profiteering," she said.
"This is certainly not the case. London hoteliers have no control over the prices that agents are charging."
Paul Deighton, chief executive of LOCOG, said that those London hoteliers who had been part of the agreement with LOCOG had fully conformed to its fair pricing agreement, offering room allocation to LOCOG at below market rates for the Olympic Games.
"This was a core factor in the success of the London 2012 bid," he said.
Ibrahim said that London's major hospitality companies had signed agreements to provide a total of 56,000 rooms to LOCOG.
"These agreements stipulate that all participating hotels will charge room rates calculated on an agreed formula, which restricts hotel operators from increasing prices beyond Consumer Price Index increases and ensures fair pricing.
That rate broadly represents the average of a hotel's room rates between 2007 and 2010.
"Without exception, the prices charged by the hotels that are part of the LOCOG agreement are at a rate which is fair and reasonable."
Deighton said that LOCOG was very grateful for the support of London's hoteliers.
"We are confident that the thousands of guests who stay in these hotels will appreciate the fair pricing, great standards of service, and admirable commitment these hotels have made to delivering a Games which shows London and its tourism industry in the best possible light.
"London's hotels are great supporters of London 2012 - and we very much appreciate their support."
Andrew Cosslett to step down as IHG chief executive
Andrew Cosslett is to step down after six years as chief executive of InterContinental Hotels Group (IGH).
He will be succeeded by current chief financial officer and head of commercial development Richard Solomons in July.
IHG chairman David Webster said he was sorry to Cosslett go but knew the company would be in safe hands under Solomons.
He added: "In Richard Solomons we have an able and worthy successor.
Richard is a highly respected executive, with deep knowledge of our industry, our business and our brands. He is the board's first choice to take the company forward.
"Richard and Andy have worked very closely over the last six years and in making this appointment the board is ensuring continuity in management and in our strategy to drive growth."
Cosslett said he was proud of having implemented IHG's asset light business model, while creating a strong people culture.
"We have a powerful portfolio of brands, including a now fully rejuvenated Holiday Inn, and established leading positions in the biggest and fastest growing markets of the world, including China," he said.
An IHG employee since 1992, Richard Solomons said he was delighted to be given the chance to lead the company in the next stage of its development.
"We have an industry-leading development pipeline and will continue to build on our success by harnessing the quality of our people, the loyalty of our owners and the strength of our brands," he said.
"We can look to the future with great confidence."
A search process is now underway for a replacement chief financial officer.
Marriott International Increases Sales Focus on Russia
Marriott International announced today the launch of a new global sales strategy to significantly improve the delivery of its sales and account management services in Russia. This new sales structure and focus on Russia reflects Marriott's commitment to this growing customer base and the importance of the country as a key global source market.
Marriott International is well on its way of meeting its goal of doubling its presence in Europe from 40,000 rooms to 80,000 rooms from 2010 to 2015. The company sees expansion in Russia as a key driver in continuing to facilitate that growth. With 12 properties in Russia including the recently opened Courtyard Kazan, Marriott has three additional hotels currently under development in Russia including the Courtyard Irkutsk City Center and the Courtyard Moscow Pavelestskya, both scheduled to open later this year. In addition, the Krasnodar Marriott Hotel is set to open in 2012.
As Marriott continues to expand its presence and focus on Russia as a key source market it is introducing a new sales structure and enlarging its Global Sales Organization (GSO). With a more robust GSO in Russia, the company is able to serve more accounts across the Marriott portfolio of brands and capture more business from key buyers who have significant local and international lodging requirements.
Neal Jones, vice president of Marriott's Global Sales Europe said "Our new approach to global sales in Russia reaffirms our commitment to this important market and will serve to further strengthen our position as Russia's preferred lodging supplier with true global reach. We see significant growth in both regional and outbound travel from Russia, and are now prepared to better serve our customers."
|
|
Marco Franck is now in the Turks and Caicos as General Manager at Amanyara. He was most recently the Resident Manager in the Seychelles for the Ephelia Resort. Franck is a former Resident Manager of the Athenaeum InterContinental, and Executive Assistant Manager Food and Beverage of the Shangri-La Singapore and the Westin Kuala Lumpur.
Davide Barnes has joined the Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills as Hotel Manager. He was most recently with the Four Seasons Austin as Hotel Manager. He had previously served with the Four Seasons Philadelphia as Hotel Manager, and the Four Seasons Prague as General Manager. In Beverly Hills, he replaces Avi Haksar who has transferred to the Four Seasons Bangkok.
Guillaume Paupy has joined the Palacio Duhau Park Hyatt Buenos Aires as Executive Assistant Manager Food and Beverage. For the past two years, he had been the Director of Food and Beverage at the Four Seasons Singapore. He had previously served in the same position for the Grand Hyatt Sao Paulo.
Romain Renard has transferred to the Beverly Wilshire as Executive Pastry Chef. He was most recently in the same position at the Four Seasons Florence. He had previously served in various pastry positions for the Four Seasons Washington, D.C. and Restaurant Daniel in New York.
Jean-Marc Michel has returned to Le Mirador Lake Geneva. He joined as General Manager after serving as Assistant General Manager and Controller from 1995-1998. He was most recently serving as General Manager at the Ephelia Resort in the Seychelles after stints as Resort Manager for the One&Only Le Saint Géran and Hotel Manager at Reid's Palace in Portugal.
At the Société des Bains de Mer, Luca Allegri, who had joined the group in October 2007 as General Manager of the Hotel de Paris, becomes Group Director of Operations, succeeding Michel Sabot. Prior to joining the Hotel de Paris, Allegri was the Assistant General Manager at the Plaza-Athénée in Paris.
Orient-Express has appointed Leon Larkin Managing Director, Russia. He will oversee the Grand Hotel Europe in St. Petersburg. He most recently opened and managed the InterContinental Kiev. Larkin had previously served as General Manager of the St. Regis Beijing, Area Manager for Parkroyal Hotels in Singapore and General Manager of the InterContinental Prague.
Walter Neumann has been named General Manager of the Hotel Astoria in St. Petersburg. He was most recently with Travel Charme Hotels & Resorts where he was Managing Director, Operations. He had previously served as Rooms Division Manager at the Grand Hotel Europe, followed by a role as Executive Assistant Manager in the pre-opening team at the Clarion North Crown Hotel.
Fernando Rojo has been named General Manager of the Barvikha Hotel & Spa Hotel in Moscow. He was most recently with Casa Fuster in Barcelona as General Manager. Rojo was previously the Area Director for Eurostars Hotels and pre-opening Deputy General Manager at the Grand Hotel Rodina. In addition, he previously served as Hotel Deputy Director at the Hotel Claris in Barcelona.
Guillaume Marly has moved to the Ritz London as Hotel Manager. He was most recently with the Connaught London in a similar role. He had previously overseen food and beverage for Claridge's, the Jumeirah Carlton Tower and the Dorchester.
Christian Zandonella has joined the Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin as Executive Assistant Manager Food and Beverage. He was most recently the Hotel Manager for the Capri Palace Hotel & Spa and had previously overseen food and beverage for the Hotel Arts Barcelona for Ritz-Carlton.
The Four Seasons George V has promoted Sylvie Rolland to Senior Human Resource Director. She joined the hotel in 2005 as Director of Human Resources.
Ruth Jones has been promoted to Executive Assistant Manager,Marketing and Development, at the Ritz London. She joined the hotel in 1998, overseeing the sales and marketing team.
Mathilde Rose has been appointed Director of Group and Incentive Sales for the One&Only Mazagan Beach Resort and Atlantis. She joins following three years in a similar position for the sixteen hotels of the Groupe Lucien Barrière. Rose also handled the MICE markets for Starwood in Europe and for Oberoi.
Rachel Louis has been named Director of Sales for the Dorchester London. She was most recently the Director of Sales at the InterContinental London Park Lane and Assistant Director of Sales at the Maybourne Hotel Group. Previously, she was Regional Assistant Director of Sales for the Morgans Hotel Group, responsible for St. Martin's Lane and the Sanderson.
Karim Gharbi has been promoted to Director of Rooms at the Four Seasons George V. For the past two years, he had been serving as Assistant Director of Rooms.
Stefan Huemer has joined the Jumeirah Group as Area General Manager – Maldives. He was most recently the General Manager at the InterContinental Los Angeles Century City. Huemer was previously based in the Maldives as Regional General Manager and Island Chief for the Kuredu & Komandoo Island Resort & Spa for five years.
Sharon Fraser has been named General Manager for the InterContinental Chongqing. She had previously served as Executive Assistant Manager at the Holiday Inn Shanghai Vista and had overseen sales and marketing for the Crowne Plaza hotels in Shanghai and Beijing.
Andreas Pfister has moved as General Manager to the InterContinental Hua Hin, taking over from Pattama Yoshimura. Pfister was most recently the pre-opening General Manager for the InterContinental and Holiday Inn Mayur Vihar in Delhi. He is the former General Manager of the InterContinental Beijing Beichen.
The Fairmont Jaipur has named Atul Lall General Manager. He was most recently with Keys Hotels.
Alexander Pichel has been named General Manager for the Fairmont Baku in Azerbaijan. He was previously the General Manager with Rocco Forte's Hotel Astoria in St. Petersburg and at the Hyatt Regency Bishkek.
Brice Borin has moved to the Regent Phuket Cap Panwa as General Manager. He was most recently running the Regent Maldives. He had previously served as Hotel Manager for the Anantara Resort Hua Hin and the Anantara Resort Maldives.
Matthew Pickett has been named Resort Manager for the Kauai Beach Resort. For the past five years, he had been with the Halekulani and Waikiki Parc Hotels, most recently as Restaurant Manager for Orchids.
Anthony Gill has been named General Manager for the Life Heritage Resort Hoi An in Vietnam. He was most recently with Six Senses in Phuket and had previously served as Director of Food and Beverage at the InterContinental Doha. His previous Vietnam experience includes holding the title of Executive Assistant Manager at the Evason Ana Mandara in Nha Trang for two years.
Antoine Melon has moved to the Maldives to take over as Resident Manager at the Six Senses Laamu Resort. He was most recently with the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong as Food and Beverage Director.
David Daguise has joined the Sofitel Krabi Prokeethra Golf and Spa in Thailand as Resident Manager. He was most recently with the Huvafen Fushi in the Maldives as Resort Manager.
Sylvain Boussard is the new Food and Beverage Manager at the Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa in the Maldives. He is a former General Manager for the Carlisle Bay Resort and Director of Food and Beverage for the Hotel Hesperia Tower in Barcelona.
Jumeirah has named Alexandre Hulen Director of Sales and Marketing – Maldives. He was previously with the Anantara Group, overseeing sales and marketing in the Maldives.
Damien Marchenay has joined the InterContinental Hong Kong as Assistant Director of Food and Beverage. For the past two years, he had served as Assistant Director of Food and Beverage at the Hotel de Paris in Monaco. He had previously served in food and beverage positions at the Warwick Barsey Hotel in Brussels, Raffles Singapore and the Park Hyatt Vendôme in Paris.
Todd Cilano transfers as General Manager, from the Four Seasons Alexandria at San Stefano to the Four Seasons Mauritius. His first General Manager stint with Four Seasons started in September 2007 at the Four Seasons Chiang Mai and the Tented Camp.
|
|
