Hotel News In Brief

Nov 12, 12 | 12:09 am

Some current conversation starters…

Mrs Beatrice Tollman, President and Founder of the luxurious Red Carnation Hotel Collection has been awarded Hotelier of the Year at the European Hospitality Awards 2012.

Bea Tollman has been recognised for continuingly unparalleled levels of service, excellence and luxury across all of the collection’s five and four star properties in Europe, which include flagship The Milestone Hotel in Kensington, Guernsey’s only five-star property The Old Government House Hotel and Spa and the famed Hotel d’Angleterre in Geneva. Scooping one of the biggest awards of the evening, Bea Tollman said: “I’m humbled and honoured to have been recognised for doing something that I truly love, each and every day. I thank the judges, the fantastic teams at all of my hotels and of course my wonderful family, many of whom are involved in the business too. My driving passion is to make every stay memorable for every single guest, to make them feel truly welcomed and special and I believe having this at the heart of everything we do, is what has led to this award and many of the others we are lucky to have received.” Summarising their verdict, the judges said: "Personifying the value of having a genuine hotelier running the show, Beatrice Tollman has never lost sight of the guiding principle of hospitality: service. After five decades in the industry, Beatrice's ongoing involvement on the front line of her hotels is an inspiration, setting the standards for the next generations to follow."

P&O stands up for charity.

P&O Cruises has taken advantage of a three-day visit to Melbourne by two of its superliners - Pacific Pearl and Pacific Jewel - to change the outside furniture on hundreds of cabin balconies. As a result, more than 600 teak deckchairs and tables have been donated to crisis support charity Lifeline and will be sold in its stores from later this month. The donation is part of an ongoing relationship with Lifeline, which sees P&O Cruises assist the charity with a wide variety of surplus material from its ships and offices. Previous donations include coffee tables, lamps, artwork and blankets. Ann Sherry, CEO of Carnival Australia, which operates P&O Cruises, said, "Deck chairs and tables are really classic cruise items - so they are the perfect way to capture the spirit of a relaxing cruise holiday at home."

From November 11 through November 18, some 300,000 Hilton Worldwide team members across 90 countries and territories will participate in the company’s first Global Week of Service, volunteering in hands-on projects and events in their local communities.

The program is intended to act as an expression of the company’s vision “to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality,” building on founder Conrad Hilton’s legacy of service and responsibility to others. The company’s largest annual volunteer service event brings together team members from across Hilton Worldwide’s corporate offices and owned, managed and franchised properties to address many pressing societal needs. “Just as exceptional service is fundamental to creating memorable and lasting guest experiences, volunteerism is critical to building a strong corporate culture, strengthening our communities and supporting our global growth,” said Christopher Nassetta, president and chief executive officer, Hilton Worldwide. The official kick-off starts in McLean, Virginia where more than 120 team members from Hilton Worldwide’s global headquarters and the Hilton McLean Tyson’s Corner will volunteer alongside Nassetta, other executives and family members of students at the ACCA Child Development Center – a center preparing youth through age five for entry into kindergarten. Volunteers will develop a hanging system for showcasing youth art, beautify classrooms and clean up the center’s playground.

Key Appointments in the Industry

Congratulations to these new appointments…

Dolce Hotels and Resorts has announced the appointment of Jesse Luis as Vice President of Development for North America. Luis, who is based at the Dolce corporate office in Rockleigh, New Jersey, is responsible for driving strategic property growth across the continent. Luis arrived at Dolce from Choice Hotels International Inc., where he served as Vice President, Real Estate Development Services since 2008. In that role, he conceived the national development strategy for the upscale Cambria Suites brand and closed on a pipeline of projects totaling more than 1,000 rooms. Previously, Luis was with Marriott International for more than a decade, departing as Vice President North America Real Estate with responsibility for developing upscale properties throughout the northeast. Prior to that, he was Area Vice President, Lodging Development, responsible for growth strategy, ground-up development and conversions, originating and negotiating management agreements, and transacting franchise agreements for select-service and extended-stay hotels.

Boon Chayavichitsilp, Chairman of Hansar Hotels Group has announced the appointment of Indra Budiman to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Hansar Hotels Group. Mr Budiman has spent the last 20 years working in the luxury hospitality industry at properties such as Sheraton Bandung, Le Meridien Singapore, Four Seasons Jakarta, The Empire Hotel and Country Club Brunei and Hotel de la Paix in Siem Reap. Prior to his appointment as CEO, Mr Budiman was General Manager of Hansar Samui Resort located at Bophut Beach. “Based on Indra’s proven record and success achieved in Koh Samui I strongly believe he will continue to expand upon Hansar’s success beginning with the development and opening of our newest property in Phuket next year.” said Boon Chayavichitsilp.

The Latest in Hotel Openings

The Hotel Adagio in San Francisco has completed renovations of the property, which was originally built in 1929. The hotel’s 171 guestrooms and suites have new, bold colors, as do the public spaces. Designer Barbara Parker of Parker Torres drew inspiration from the surrounding theater district. The guestrooms and suites have a contemporary design with rich woods and vibrant colors. The 875-sq-ft (81-sq-m) Samuel Suite has a full bedroom, separate living room with a decorative fireplace, and a dining table that seats six. In the lobby, Parker and her team removed curtains that had obscured large, sculpted windows with Moorish influence. A design inspired by the original carved wood doors at the hotel’s entrance appears throughout the property. The lobby level features high-contrast finishes and pops of orange and cranberry.

Four Points by Sheraton Berlin Airport Announced For 2014. This new-build hotel will be located adjacent to a new business park and just a few kilometres from Berlin Brandenburg International Airport, which is currently under construction in Germany’s capital city. The signing of Four Points by Sheraton Berlin Airport is part of Starwood’s expansion strategy to open more than 25 hotels across Europe over the next four years. Four Points by Sheraton Berlin Airport will feature 253 comfortable and stylish guest rooms, two restaurants, a lobby bar, a 24-hour fitness centre as well as meeting and event space and a fully-equipped business centre. The hotel will also feature all of the brand’s defining elements, including the signature Four Points by Sheraton Four Comfort bed and free Wi-Fi in all public areas, reflecting the brand’s promise and insight into the needs of today’s traveller.

Best Western International has continued its major Middle East expansion with the launch of its first hotel in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The opening of the upscale BEST WESTERN PLUS The Olive is the latest in a series of ‘firsts’ for Best Western in the Middle East region in 2012. Following the company’s debut in Saudi Arabia and the launch of its first BEST WESTERN PLUS hotel in the region at the start of the year, Best Western has since opened its first ever properties in Kuwait, Muscat and Riyadh. And now the company has a foothold in the thriving Bahrain market with the launch of a new hotel in the bustling Juffair district of the Gulf nation’s capital, Manama.