Hotel News In Brief

Feb 22, 13 | 12:00 am

Some current conversation starters…

London’s stylish The Cumberland Hotel has scooped the ‘Individual Hotel or Individual Hostel of the Year’ award at UKinbound’s annual Excellence Awards.

The Cumberland’s parent hotel group, Guoman & Thistle Hotels - which includes other iconic properties such as the five star The Royal Horseguards in London - was also named as ‘Hotel Group of the Year’ at the prestigious event. General Manager of The Cumberland Hotel, Ian Peck, comments: “To be named as UKinbound’s Hotel of the Year for 2012 is a huge achievement for us. 2012 was such a momentous year for the Capital so it’s a big deal to be commended by UKinbound for our efforts during London’s year in the spotlight, and for our work to support UK tourism as a whole.”

The Indonesian government has cracked down on a Bali restaurant illegally keeping dolphins for the amusement of diners.

Indonesia's Minister of Forestry, Zulkifli Hasan, visited the Akame Restaurant located near Benoa harbour to investigate reports that dolphins were being mistreated and held captive. Quoting a report by Kompas.com, Bali Online (www.balidiscovery.com) reported that the minister found two dolphins were kept at the restaurant to entertain diners. They were reported to be in poor condition. After discovering that the restaurant's permit to keep the dolphins was not valid, the minister ordered that the pair should be sent to a dolphin rehabilitation centre on Karimunjawa island, north of Java. The minister said that the dolphins would be rehabilitated before being released back into the ocean. However, his office has yet to work out how the dolphins will be moved the considerable distance to Karimunjawa.

Royal Plaza on Scotts visited the residents at Tai Pei Old People’s Home earlier this morning to spread the festive cheer of the new lunar year.

Contributions which amounted to more than $2,200 were collected from hotel associates prior to the visit. During the visit, the residents received red packets and tangerines as well wishes from the volunteers for a splendid year ahead. The residents enjoyed both the volunteers’ company and the food. Many expressed their appreciation for the fish congee that was specially prepared by the culinary team of Carousel earlier this morning, prior to the visit. Fish pronounced as Yu in Mandarin, means abundance, and was significant in wishing the residents an auspicious year ahead. The hotel believes that each associate can play a part in the corporate citizenship and embarks on various programmes to impart to employees the importance of being socially responsible. “I am glad that the spirit of volunteerism thrives in RP’s culture and hope that more associates will realise that small acts of kindness make a big difference to the people whom we help,” said Patrick Fiat, General Manager of RP.

Key Appointments in the Industry

Congratulations to these new appointments…

Turnberry Isle Miami announces the appointment of Kevin Rosa as Director of Sales and Marketing for the legendary Mediterranean-style 408-room resort in South Florida. In his new role, Rosa is responsible for overseeing the strategic direction of sales and marketing for the 300-acre property, developing new leisure and group sales business opportunities, and working directly with all revenue-generating departments. An active member of the Society of Incentive Travel Executives, Rosa most recently served as Director of Marketing and Sales for The Sagamore Resort on Lake George in Bolton Landing, N.Y. Prior, he held sales positions with The Cloister and The Lodge at Sea Island in Ga., the esteemed Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs, W. Va. and The Breakers in Palm Beach, Fla. Rosa began his hospitality career with Hilton Hotels.

Officials of New Castle Hotels and Resorts, a leading hotel owner, operator and developer, today announced that Matthew Mackenzie will return to the Keltic Lodge Resort and Spa in Ingonish Beach, Nova Scotia, as general manager. Mackenzie managed the resort for the 2012 season. A career hotelier, Mackenzie was the general manager of the Atlantica Hotel & Marina Oak Island and has held positions at some of Canada’s most beloved resorts and hotels, including Sooke Harbour House and Fairmont Chateau Whistler.

The Latest in Hotel Openings

Hyatt Regency McCormick Place announced today that its multi-million dollar expansion and renovation is on track for a summer 2013 completion. The hotel’s owner, Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, has invested nearly $110 million in the total renovation of the hotel, which will provide a new guestroom tower, renovated outlets, meetings and public space.

Fresh off a 2012 campaign that saw the Ovolo Group launch three new hotels, the company goes into overdrive this year with Hong Kong’s first NYC-style warehouse conversion and another signature hotel property opening on Hong Kong Island’s Southside. Ovolo is transforming a Southside Hong Kong warehouse into a new 162-room lifestyle hotel on 64 Wong Chuk Hang Road, that is scheduled to open in Fall 2013. Designed in collaboration with long-time architectural partners, KplusK Associates, Ovolo’s new lifestyle hotel will be a New York-style warehouse conversion that boasts sleek contemporary interiors, which combine the building’s original industrial elements with cutting-edge features.

Anantara has opened its second property in China, the 103-key Anantara Xishuangbanna Resort & Spa in Yunnan Province. Anantara Xishuangbanna Resort & Spa is located in the midst of this national scenic resort destination, an hour’s drive from Jinghong International Airport through unspoiled countryside. The resort is set along a sweeping curve of the Luosuo River, within lush gardens and water features, and comprises 80 Deluxe guest rooms, as well as 23 one, two and three bedroom Pool Villas.