Hotel Industry News In Brief

Jun 25, 12 | 12:09 am

Some current conversation starters…

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts will offer a new Chinese Menu Program at its worldwide collection of more than 60 luxury hotels.

The new program, which will be phased in throughout 2012, will provide personalization and enhanced culinary choices for Chinese guests travelling abroad. As part of the new program, Fairmont will offer both menu items and serving styles that reflect Chinese customs. A range of authentic dishes will be offered in catering menus for groups, and guests, including individual travellers, will be able to enjoy items such as congee, traditional rice porridge, for breakfast at Fairmont's restaurants. A variety of loose leaf teas including authentic white, black, green, oolong and flowered teas locally sourced by the Metropolitan Tea Company will be served at meals and will also be made available through in-room dining.

St. Lucia luminary and hospitality veteran Karolin Troubetzkoy, owner, Anse Chastanet and Jade Mountain Resort, has been recognized as the 2011 Caribbean Hotelier of the Year.

Troubetzkoy accepted the honour before an international audience of hospitality and tourism industry leaders assembled for the Golden Jubilee Gala celebrating CHTA's 50th anniversary, hosted at the Montego Bay Convention Center in Jamaica. Troubetzkoy is the 33rd recipient of this coveted award, widely considered the most prestigious in the region. Co-sponsored by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) and MMGY Global, the annual Caribbean Hotelier of the Year Award is the highest professional honor bestowed in hotel and resort operations in the Caribbean. The award recognizes excellence in all areas of operations, as well as a commitment to the training and development of staff, contributions to the community, and a demonstrated commitment to sound environmental practices. Troubetzkoy's passion for guest service, natural leadership and marketing savvy have played an instrumental role throughout her impressive career spanning more than two decades in St. Lucia. As owner and executive director of marketing and operations for the award-winning Anse Chastanet, she currently oversees all aspects of operations while continuing to develop the property's facilities and services. Troubetzkoy guided the resort's first large expansion from 37 to 49 rooms in 1990. Upon completion, she pioneered innovative marketing campaigns that enabled the property to achieve over 90% occupancy between 1992 and 2001. She has also directed the marketing efforts on behalf of Jade Mountain Resort since 2004. Both Anse Chastanet and Jade Mountain are widely celebrated as two of the Caribbean's top resorts, consistently recognized among the world's best by Conde Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure magazines.

The Spa at Sofitel London Heathrow was recently awarded the 5 Bubbles rating by The Good Spa Guide, an independent, comprehensive online guide to UK spas, therapies and treatments.

The Spa was assessed during a visit in May 2012 and a full review can be read on goodspaguide.co.uk. On why the spa was awarded the highest rating, The Good Spa Guide commented “We gave the spa at Sofitel London Heathrow 5 bubbles for its spotlessly clean spa, relaxed atmosphere, and excellent treatments. A half-day in the spa passed pretty easily”. Located at Sofitel London Heathrow, The Spa offers a 24 hour gym with state-of-the-art equipment and five large treatment rooms that can be programmed individually for heat, sound and light to suit each guest’s mood. The Health Spa includes a vitality pool and sauna as well as a relaxation room. The Spa was designed by Khuan Chew of KCA International (renowned for her work at the Burj al Arab in dubai) and adorned with one of David Harber’s (RHS Chelsea winner) enchanting water features.

Key Appointments in the Industry

Congratulations to these new appointments…

Provenance Hotels today announced the hiring of Zie Zie Senzaki as Vice President of Sales & Marketing. Senzaki most recently served as Director of Sales & Marketing at the acclaimed Westin Portland. Under her leadership since 2009, the Westin Portland flourished and earned a reputation as one of the most prominent hotels in Portland. In her new role, Senzaki will lead the Provenance Hotels’ sales teams in the field and spearhead their strategic deployment at the collection’s six owned and operated properties in Portland, Ore., Seattle and Tacoma, Wash., and Nashville, Tenn. She will also be instrumental as Provenance strategically grows their portfolio of hotels, a process that continued most recently with the acquisition of Portland’s historic Governor Hotel. Senzaki boasts more than a decade of hotel and resort sales experience in some of the West Coast’s most competitive destinations. Prior to joining the Westin Portland team, she worked for Viceroy Hotels & Resorts in Southern California where she held sales positions at the Sheraton Delfina, Westin Century City, Avalon Hotel and Maison 140. She is a graduate of the University of Redlands where she earned a Bachelor of Business Administration & International Relations.

The Russian based international hotel chain AZIMUT announces the appointment of new General Director for its first hotel in Moscow. Mr. Bakanov has more than ten years’ experience in the hospitality industry. He began his career in restaurant business in Germany. In 2004 has joined AZIMUT team in Samara, from 2008 until 2011 served as Deputy Director of 1000-rooms hotel AZIMUT in Saint Petersburg. In 2011 was appointed as a managing director of AZIMUT Hotel Novyi Bereg in Moscow Region. Since June 2012 serves as General Director of AZIMUT Moscow Tulskaya Hotel. Mr. Bakanov will be responsible for the overall business operations, solving strategic issues and improving the profitability of the hotel.

The Latest in Hotel Openings

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has announced that it will open a new resort property in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The 237-room Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach is set to open in 2014. The property will be situated on an 11 acre (4.45 hectare) natural waterfront site along the Arabian Gulf about 2 km from Dubai’s central commercial district. Bright Start, Dubai, is developing the new-build resort property and has appointed H&H Investment and Development as the development manager. Construction has already commenced. The hotel is being designed by WATG with interior design by BAMO.

Zurich-based Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts’ portfolio in Turkey is being expanded with two new hotels: a beach resort and a city resort in Bodrum scheduled to open in 2013 and 2014. Swissôtel’s beach resort will be on the waterfront in Turgutreis, approximately 12 miles (20 km) from the center of Bodrum. The main 2-story hotel will comprise 66 rooms and suites in addition to 72 residences. Rounding off the offering are indoor and outdoor pools, Pürovel Spa & Sport and various restaurants. The Bodrum city project is in the hills of Bodrum with a panoramic view over the city and will include 56 rooms and suites, 45 private residences, three restaurants and Pürovel Spa & Sport. The owner and developer is Çagdas Holding, advised by Servotel Corp., and both projects will be designed by architect Gokhan Avcioglu.

Hard Rock International and Aabar Properties are in an agreement to open the Hard Rock Hotel Abu Dhabi. The five-star, 378-room property marks Hard Rock Hotels’ emergence in the Middle East. The hotel will feature restaurants, entertainment and meeting facilities, as well as a Hard Rock Cafe. It will also feature: the Sky Lobby on the fifth floor podium; the Lobby Bar, which includes an outdoor entertainment deck and hookah lounge; and the Sky Bar on the 37th floor, which offers a pool. The Hard Rock Hotel Abu Dhabi will feature more than 12,000 sq. ft. of wellness and spa facilities. It will also offer the Body Rock fitness centre and Rock Spa. Additionally, there will be events and meeting facilities, in addition to a business centre, six meeting rooms and a 5,200-sq.-ft. ballroom.