Hotel News in Brief

Sep 25, 12 | 12:09 am

Some current conversation starters...

Both Wyndham Worldwide and Hilton Worldwide this week reported progress on reaching their respective sustainability goals.

In its second annual Sustainability Report, Wyndham announced a 5% reduction in its carbon footprint over 2010 based on energy per square foot. The company is working toward a goal of reducing emissions by 12% by 2016 with the help of its Wyndham Green Toolbox eco-software program. Other accomplishments highlighted include co-leading the development of a standard method for calculating carbon emissions for hotels and resorts in the industry; joining the Energy Efficiency program of the Clinton Global Initiative as well as the U.S. Department of Energy's Better Buildings Challenge; and continuing to grow its green supply chain in 2011, with 16% of the company's total US$1.5 billion spend made with suppliers who meet the Wyndham Green Supplier criteria. Hilton announced the 2011 results of LightStay, the company's proprietary sustainability measurement system. Every brand and hotel globally is required to measure and make improvements to their overall sustainability results as part of LightStay. Property-specific initiatives include Hilton Americas - Houston Texas converting to biodiesel as a preferable fuel, allowing the hotel to recycle 14,000 pounds (6,350 kilograms) of kitchen oil. Overall, the company reported US$147 million in cumulative savings from efficiency projected for hotels reporting through LightStay. Additionally, Hilton Worldwide has achieved its five-year goal to reduce total waste output by 20%, a full two years ahead of schedule.

The Six Senses Spa at Six Senses Ninh Van Bay is the first spa in Vietnam to launch Intraceuticals® Oxygen Treatments and Oxygen Detoxification Wellness Programs.

These are complimented by Beauty and Wellness Spa Holidays, which include a full course of Oxygen infusion and inhalation therapies. Intraceuticals® predominantly focuses on facials, addressing the major underlying causes of fine lines, wrinkles and loss of elasticity caused by premature aging. The infusion of oxygen and vitamin enriched serums from botanical extracts maximizes skin regeneration and moisture, leaving the skin noticeably firmer and glowing with a visible lift. Treatments include: Rejuvenate Infusion, Opulence Infusion, Atoxelene Infusion, Rejuvenate and Atoxelene Infusion. Oxygen inhalation therapies assist in maintaining oxygen levels in the body, a vital process for health, vitality, physical stamina and endurance. Taken as individual sessions or combined with appropriate treatments, oxygen therapy is among the most efficient methods of calming, detoxifying and purifying the body.

500 jobs at risk as Kuoni looks to offload loss-making businesses.

Kuoni Group is looking to offload its tour operating businesses in Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium and Russia, and its consumer online hotel platform Octopustravel. It said the businesses have been loss-making for several years. "Kuoni no longer wants to run these activities and will explore exit options depending on circumstances for each of the various businesses, which may include complete or partial sale, management buy-out, or even termination of activities if no sustainable solutions can be found," it said in a statement today. Kuoni said it is starting consultations with staff in accordance with local statutory requirements. The businesses being sold employ around 500 staff. Kuoni said jobs could be saved in the event of a sale or management buy-out. The group said the move should eliminate annual operating losses of around CHF17 million in the future. Kuoni acquired Octopustravel as part of its purchase of Gullivers Travel Associates from Travelport for $720 million in 2011.

Key Appointments in the Industry

Congratulations to these new appointments...

Fairmont Raffles Hotels International today announced the appointment of Wayne Taylor as executive vice president, global development.  In this senior management role, Taylor will be responsible for the growth objectives of the company, a mandate that includes signing new hotel management agreements, successfully opening new builds, transitioning and re-flagging acquisitions, and strengthening the company's overall position as a global leader in the hotel marketplace. He'll also look to build on the company's 2012 momentum, which has already seen FRHI sign, open or acquire a number of hotels including the Swissôtel Resort Phuket; Swissôtel Grand Mumbai; Swissôtel Dresden Am Schlos; Swissôtel Chengdu; Swissôtel Jadaf Dubai; Fairmont Austin, Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa; Fairmont Ajman; Fairmont Jaipur; Fairmont Grand Hotel Kyiv; and Fairmont Heritage Place, El Corazon.  Most recently, Taylor served as the company's senior vice president for hotel transactions. Prior to this, he was the vice president of development at Delta Hotels & Resorts and also held a number of operational and senior management positions with the Canadian-based hotel group.

Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group today announced the appointment of Franck Courmont as general counsel, Asia Pacific with effect on November 1. Based in Singapore, Franck will report directly to Simon Barlow, president for Asia Pacific. Prior to this appointment, Franck was vice president, legal, at Rezidor Hotel Group in Brussels for seven years. At Rezidor, Franck successfully negotiated more than 100 management agreements and licences for Radisson Blu, Park Inn by Radisson and Hotel Missoni in EMEA. He was also responsible for setting up and managing joint ventures for real estate investments in emerging markets. He has 20 years of legal experience and has previously held positions including global head of legal at AXA Investment Managers and legal team leader at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, based in London. He also worked at Willkie, Farr & Gallagher; White & Case; as well as Arthur Andersen International in Paris.

The Latest in Hotel Openings

W Hotels Worldwide today announced the opening of the first W Hotel in Singaporewith the debut of W Singapore-Sentosa Coveand The Residences at W Singapore - Sentosa Cove. Owned and developed by an affiliate of City Developments Limited, W Singapore is an urban oasis located on Sentosa, the city's most glamorous island only minutes away from downtown Singapore. Designed by London-based architects WATG and renowned design firm Rockwell Group, W Singapore has been inspired by the buzzing energy of the city set against Sentosa's natural surroundings to create a new scene in this international capital. Adjacent to the 228 W-branded residences, the hotel offers a fully integrated lifestyle experience, featuring 240 guest rooms and suites, two signature restaurants, a destination bar, the W Lounge experience, WET pool deck and bar, Away Spa, and more than 1,500 meters of modern meeting and event space.

Brenwood Hospitality Group recently introduced the J House and eleven14 Kitchen, a multifaceted contemporary hotel respite and dining destination located in Greenwich, CT.  Since opening its doors in mid-May and announcing the official opening of the entire property on Sunday, September 23, the hotel and restaurant have been earning rave reviews as a premiere luxury hospitality destination in Fairfield County, Connecticut. In addition to the early enjoyment of the property's stunning outdoor dining room, bar and lounge areas, as well as the ultra-sleek indoor main dining room and bar, the J House recently introduced Executive Chef Francois Kwaku-Dongo's Chocolate Lab, a unique chocolate shop and café located in the J House hotel in Greenwich, CT. Chef Kwaku-Dongo's pure, rich cocoa creations feature handmade truffles and filled chocolates, all handsomely packaged, as well as pastries, confections, espresso and coffee drinks, and an assortment of loose leaf teas.

Design Hotels™has added six new member hotels to its community, bringing the total number of new properties to more than 25 this year. Whether located in the heart of a buzzing city like London, Paris, Buenos Aires and Istanbul or in the cradle of stunning landscapes on Portugal's Northwestern coast of Caminha and the remote Swedish island of Gotland - each of these properties absorbs you into the local scene. "As the collection of Design Hotels™properties evolves each year, we look beyond their bricks and mortar to the actual experiences that they open up. Each hotel is colored with the passion of its owner, be it cuisine, art or regional wines. These facets add rich layers to the discovery of new and familiar places," says Claus Sendlinger, CEO of Design Hotels™.  The list of six new members with opening dates is below.

ARGENTINA

Hotel Pulitzer, Buenos Aires (March 2011)

FRANCE

Hotel de Nell, Paris (November 2012)

PORTUGAL

Design & Wine Hotel, Caminha (May 2012)

SWEDEN

Fabriken Furillen, Gotland (January 2000)

TURKEY

Gezi Hotel Bosphorus, Istanbul (September 2010)

UNITED KINGDOM

South Place Hotel, London (September 2012)