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Hotel Industry News In Brief

Sep 28, 12 | 12:09 am

Some current conversation starters…

China's Newest Luxury Hotel Brand Unveils the Country's First 'Yi Po Erk Shih'

WHM Group’s premiere five-star hotel presents a new concept in urban resort escapism where guests are pampered with the best of Shanghai cuisine, culture and wellness in a becalming natural setting. Shanghai-based leader in upscale cuisine and lifestyle, WHM Group, unveils today its genre-defining five-star hotel brand, WH Ming Hotels. The brand’s premiere flagship hotel, WH Ming Hotel Shanghai, will become China’s first “Yi Po Erh Shih” Urban Resort when it opens its doors late September, 2012. “Yi Po Erh Shih”, meaning “One Night with Two Meals”, is a holiday concept that boomed in Asia during the 1990s. It is still highly popular in the Ryokan culture of Japan. WH Ming Hotel Shanghai takes the “Yi Po Erh Shih” concept to new levels of indulgence for today’s most discerning guests, by offering an authentic experience of China with a luxurious hotel stay paired with Chinese culinary delicacies offered at dinner and breakfast plus a peek into the Chinese bathhouse scene with a 60 minutes massage.

Dance onthe ocean floor. Introducing the world’s first underwater music club Subsix and Edge the Overwater restaurant at Niyama Maldives.

Located 500 metres offshore and appearing to float on the surface of the ocean, Edge the overwater restaurant and Subsix, the world’s first underwater music club, are now open. Accessible only by boat, Edge and Subsix complete the gastronomic experience at NIYAMA, Per AQUUM’s newest resort in the Maldives. To celebrate the opening of Subsix, Per AQUUM has teamed up with global superstars, Tinie Tempah and Poet Name Life to host two exclusive performances this October 2012. Fresh from his live performance with Jessie J and Taio Cruz at the Closing Ceremonies of the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games two-time BRIT Awards and MOBO Award winner, Tinie Tempah will perform for the first time in the Maldives alongside long time Per AQUUM Music Ambassador, two-time GRAMMY® nominated and US Billboard #8 Dance/ Electronic artist, Poet Name Life. Access to Subsix is via a staircase from Edge taking guests six metres below the surface of the Indian Ocean to a breath-taking underwater world. Guests will find themselves in an intimate music club with floor to ceiling windows surrounding three sides of the structure. A bar and DJ consul can be found along the back wall while seating is spaced throughout allowing unobstructed views of clown fish, manta rays, parrot fish and other exotic marine life.

Regal Hotels’ Organic Farms

As part of Regal Hotels green initiatives themed “We Love Our Planet”, small organic farms were set up separately in various locations of the five Regal Hotels in Hong Kong. Occupying a total area of 368 sq. feet, the hotels’ garden areas are being put to excellent use, growing organic veggies and herbs. “We are proud to offer such a unique experience for our guests by providing fresh, organic herbs for our restaurants,” said John Girard, the Area General Manager (Hong Kong). “Our gardens are run on organic principles and we are attempting full organic certification. Not only is it a great conversation piece for diners, but also eco-conscious and efficient, and helps reduce our carbon footprint.” Varieties currently growing include lemongrass, Thai chili and basil. Produce from these facilities will be used by the hotel to create fresh, chemical-free organic herbal seasonings, and veggie dishes for guests and staff. For example, in Regal Airport Hotel in Hong Kong, the herbs will be offered in the menus of the Café and Regala. ‘We Love our Planet’, Regal Hotels’ environmentally responsible Management Focus for this year, aimed to engaging our guests, our associates and their families throughout the sustainability process as well as maintaining transparency through the EarthCheck Certification programme. A set of environmental policies and guidelines has been developed while organic gardens in Regal Hotels are one of the meaningful initiatives involving contribution from the hotels and support from our guests.

Key Appointments in the Industry

Congratulations to these new appointments…

Benchmark Hospitality International Names Bryan Ashlock Hotel Manager for Turtle Bay Resort, Oahu. The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, September 2012… Benchmark Hospitality International, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, has appointed Bryan Ashlock hotel manager for Turtle Bay Resort, the landmark property on Oahu’s North Shore. Danna Holck, vice president and general manager, made the announcement. "I am very pleased to welcome Bryan to our property,” said Ms. Holck. “He brings an important understanding of hotel and food & beverage operations to Turtle Bay Resort, and a unique spirit of aloha. Bryan is a great addition to our leadership team.” Bryan Ashlock was most recently director of food & beverage and executive chef for the Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa. He has previously served as executive chef for several Sheraton properties in Hawaii. Mr. Ashlock has also held the title of executive sous chef for luxury properties within Hawaii, Japan and Hong Kong. Mr. Ashlock is the recipient of numerous resort, culinary, destination and social service awards for extraordinary professional contributions. He and his family have relocated to Oahu’s North Shore.

Brendan Dwyer Joins Hyatt Global Sales Office as Director of Global Sales for the UK & Ireland. Brendan Dwyer has joined the Hyatt Global Sales Office in London as the new Director of Global Sales for the U.K. & Ireland. In his new role Brendan leads the sales team and has responsibility for the MICE, Corporate, Leisure and Entertainment segments in the UK & Ireland. Brendan’s wealth of experience with Hyatt Hotels & Resorts around the world will bring great value and insight to this new role. Previously, Brendan worked as Director of Global Sales in the Hyatt Global Sales Office in Cairo, where he did oversee sales in the African and the Middle Eastern markets. In addition to the London office, Hyatt’s other Global Sales Offices in the EAME region are located in Cairo, Paris, Mainz and Moscow. All EAME Global Sales Offices are strategically and operationally overseen by Andrew Ashmore, Vice President Global Sales – EAME, also based in London.

The Latest in Hotel Openings

Small Luxury Hotels of the World™ announces its first hotel in Israel, the new Efendi. Acre in northern Israel plays host to the union of two stunning Ottoman palaces from the 19th century that create the Efendi, a remarkable new12-room boutique hotel and the latest addition to the Small Luxury Hotels of the World™ collection. Owner of the Efendi and the country’s most famous seafood restaurateur, Uri Jeremias is behind SLH’s newest affiliation. The hotel has been meticulously restored complete with Byzantine walls and cellars dating back to the 12th century. Guests can enjoy the spa complete with a 400-year old hammam or take in the breath-taking views from the rooftop terrace. Acre, often referred to as “the old city” hosts an impressive list of distinct experiences not found anywhere else. Minutes from the hotel, you can wander through the narrow streets and find yourself in a secret underground passage that will take you to the halls built by the Knights Templar and then continue to the Templar Tunnels. Also, before leaving you must be sure to check out Uri Buri’s, the famous eatery, for a meal you’ll not soon forget. Paul Kerr, CEO of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, says: “We are constantly looking to expand our brand by adding the very finest hotels and most authentic experiences to our portfolio. The addition of Efendi in Israel is an exciting milestone for us and a very important addition to our brand portfolio as we expand in Israel.”

Hilton Worldwide announced the signing of a new DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Cape Town, South Africa with local operator, Upper Eastside Hotel (Pty) Ltd. The hotel will be Hilton Worldwide’s fifth property in South Africa and its second in the ‘Mother City’ of Cape Town. The 183-room hotel, currently known as Upper Eastside, will re-brand over the coming months and is expected to open as DoubleTree by Hilton Cape Town Upper Eastside by end of 2012. The property is ideally located in the redeveloped, bustling district of Woodstock in the North of the city. A former industrial area of Cape Town, Woodstock has undergone a radical transformation in recent years to become an attractive and popular metropolis of trendy boutiques, art galleries, music bars and upcoming restaurants. Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president, development, Hilton Worldwide Europe & Africa said: “We are excited to extend our presence in a city with such a strong business and tourism culture and with a hotel which perfectly complements our first Cape Town property. This signing represents Hilton Worldwide’s 20th pipeline property in Africa and contributes perfectly to our multi-brand growth strategy dedicated to providing our guests with a range of choices in the most important cities in Africa.”