AccorHotels New Zealand is pleased to announce that Kerrie Hannaford has been appointed as the new Director of Sales & Marketing, New Zealand, Fiji and French Polynesia, based in Auckland.
Oliver R Faull will take on the role of Vice President for Australia and New Zealand in addition to his responsibility as Assistant Chief Financial Officer. He is a Certified Public Accountant in Hong Kong and New Zealand and an Auckland University business graduate, and his career in auditing and business analysis also took him to Europe and the USA. Mr Faull joined Swiss-Belhotel International initially in the corporate head office in Hong Kong in 2009 and has since been based in New Zealand.
Prior to his appointment with Minor Hotels, Mr. Dodds held various successful tenures with leading corporates, including SKYCITY Entertainment Group, TFE Hotels (Australia), Copenhagen Convention Bureau (UK), Tourism Rotorua and Rendezvous Hospitality Group. This extensive experience has also seen him manage teams of up to seven direct reports and business up to $20 million.
AVANI Hotels & Resorts, currently with a portfolio of 18 hotels and resorts in 12 countries across Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa and Europe, has announced the acquisition of the Metro Suites business in Auckland, New Zealand.
Langham Hospitality Group announces this week three new milestones for the group's upper upscale brand, Cordis Hotels & Resorts. The group is opening its first Cordis hotel in mainland China, signed an agreement to manage Cordis, Hangzhou, and announced plans to re-brand its Auckland property, a landmark hotel in New Zealand, to become the flagship Cordis hotel in the Pacific.
AVANI Hotels & Resorts, with a portfolio of 18 hotels and resorts in 12 countries across Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Europe and Africa, has announced the acquisition of Metro Suites in Auckland. In a deal worth over NZD 11 million dollars, the Metro Suites' 40-storey luxury tower will be transformed through a major room refurbishment program and rebranded as Metropolis AVANI Residences by October 2017, signaling the first AVANI hotel in New Zealand to swing open its doors.Mr Alejandro Bernabe, AVANI Group Director, said: "We are delighted to have reached an agreement with the Metropolis body corporate and secure this property for the New Zealand launch of our AVANI brand."Metro Suites presented itself as a compelling acquisition opportunity to expand our foothold within the Asia Pacific region, and we look forward to introducing the AVANI brand into this market later in the year."Located on New Zealand's North Island, the 370 key property was built in 1999 at a reported NZD 180 million dollars and occupies a prime CBD position in the 'City of Sales' – New Zealand's largest and most populated city.Auckland is renowned as New Zealand's leading urban hub, while still retaining the splendor of the country's remarkable natural landscape, fusing scenic harbours, breathtaking volcanic cones and lush rainforest.The soon-to-be Metropolis AVANI Residences is within easy walking distance to the vibrant waterfront precinct and positioned in close proximity to some of Auckland's most popular cafes, eateries and entertainment venues, including Vector Arena and Sky Tower.Each of the property's one and two bedroom apartments will be transformed as part of the revitalisation program, which is due to commence imminently, and will adopt AVANI's signature brand hallmarks.Launched in 2011, AVANI offers all the details that matter, blending genuine hospitality and modern lifestyle features with a passion for design.Rooms will feature spacious living and dining areas, well-equipped kitchens and laundry facilities, and will be accompanied by stunning views over the city skyline, harbour and beyond. Leisure facilities include a 22-metre heated swimming pool, indoor and outdoor spas, sauna, gymnasium with male and female facilities, and steam room.AVANI Hotels & Resorts is part of Minor Hotels which already has a strong presence in New Zealand through the Oaks Hotels & Resorts brand where it currently operates two resorts in Queenstown.Resort Brokers Australia Managing Director, Ian Crooks and New Zealand partners Wayne Keene and Gordon McGregor brokered the deal.
POINT 1 Marriott International today announced it expects to debut its booming Four Points brand in New Zealand with the opening of Four Points by Sheraton Auckland in late 2017. Owned by Russell Property Group and Lockwood Auckland Properties, the 255-room hotel will be located in the heart of the city at 396 Queen Street, Auckland's main retail and dining strip. Today's signing marks Marriott's continued expansion in New Zealand following the signing of The Ritz-Carlton, Auckland.
AccorHotels and Pullman Auckland is pleased to announce the the appointment of Natalie Reid as Director of Sales & Marketing at Pullman Auckland, effective 17th January 2017.Natalie brings 16 years of experience working in hotels in Australia, London and Auckland, including eight years with Hilton Hotels & Resorts and most recently The Langham Auckland for the last four years as Director of Conference & Events.
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company L.L.C. has signed a management agreement with NDG Asia Pacific (NZ) Limited to open the first Ritz-Carlton property in New Zealand in 2019, creating a new iconic property that will enhance the famous skyline of New Zealand's leading waterfront city, Auckland.
Swiss-Belsuites Victoria Park opens in Auckland, New Zealand in October 2016. The upper upscale all-suite and apartment hotel, with full gourmet kitchen facilities, enjoys an excellent location in downtown Auckland and offers a clear choice for discerning business and leisure travellers looking for sophisticated accommodation in the city centre. The hotel is located minutes from the commercial business district and waterfront entertainment areas of New Zealand's largest city, Auckland.
Experienced hotelier Tim Pollock has returned to New Zealand to take up an Auckland-based role. Tim’s new role with the global InterContinental Hotel Group is as General Manager Crowne Plaza Auckland, and IHG’s Area General Manager for New Zealand.
Leading travel brand Booking.com has appointed Luke Ashall as New Zealand Area Manager. The appointment builds on the existing expertise in the region with former area manager, Tracey Foxall, promoted to Oceania Regional Manager overseeing Booking.com’s operations across New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands. Ashall, originally from the United Kingdom, has been part of the Booking.com team since 2011 when he started working as the Hotels Account Manager across the Tasman in Western Australia and Northern Territory. Ashall’s new role will see him support local accommodation partners as well as oversee the development and growth of the Booking.com brand in New Zealand. The move represents a return to familiar territory for Ashall, whose career in tourism began back in 2008 with an off-roading tour company in Queenstown.
Jeremy Healy has been appointed to the position of General Manager, Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour. First joining AccorHotels in November 2011 as Hotel Manager at Sofitel Melbourne On Collins, Jeremy’s most recent position was seconded to The Como Melbourne MGallery by Sofitel as General Manager.
Travellers visiting Auckland can now rest comfortably at the city's much-anticipated new hotel, the four-star Ramada Suites Auckland Federal Street, which is now open as Wyndham Hotel Group's first property in New Zealand's largest urban area.
IHG New Zealand is pleased to announce the appointment of Rachel Peacock to the position of Marketing Manager for the group in New Zealand, based at Crowne Plaza Auckland. In her new role, she will lead the marketing team and look after Crowne Plaza Auckland and Queenstown, as well as Holiday Inn Rotorua and Auckland Airport.
As I sit down for afternoon tea in Palm Court, the lobby lounge at The Langham Auckland, I'm astounded by the immaculate presentation, the flawless service and the attention to detail in every corner at this incredible New Zealand hotel. It's a luxury property that feels quintessentially European and yet is about as far away from the contintent as is possible.
The Langham Auckland is delighted to announce the appointment of Mr Matthew Carroll to the pivotal role of Director of Food and Beverage. Matthew’s background is firmly rooted in luxury hospitality with more than 10 years of experience working in five-star hotels. Most recently he was the Assistant Director of Food and Beverage at the Park Hyatt Sydney, a role he was promoted to after just two years as Restaurant Manager. He has also worked as Operations Manager at The American Club in Sydney, an exclusive membership club for corporate professionals.His love of all things luxurious begun when he was 18, thanks to some great industry placements while studying an Advanced Diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Management at Kenvale College in 2004. Matthew then went on to complete a Corporate Management Trainee Program at Voyages Hotel and Resorts Australia in 2007. A Bachelor in Commerce (Major in Management) at the University of Notre Dame in Sydney quickly followed in 2013 as did the Executive Food and Beverage Development Program through Cornell University in 2014. When he’s not studying and managing large teams of food and beverage employees, Matthew likes to compete in marathons, triathlons and dabble in a little whisky. While living in Scotland, he worked at the Trump Turnberry Resort which stocks more than 250 single malts. Matthew also a strong passion for wine – and says our well-recognised wine industry and the broad range of varietals was a major drawcard for coming to New Zealand.
Chris Sedgwick, (right) former Vice President Operations Queensland/Northern Territory has been appointed Senior Vice President Operations, New Zealand, Fiji and Polynesia and is relocating to New Zealand. Chris is replacing former Senior VP Garth Simmons who is on the move to Indonesia to take on the role of Chief Operating Officer Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore effective 1 July 2015.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management agreement with Fu Wah New Zealand for a Park Hyatt hotel in Auckland, New Zealand. Expected to open in 2017, Park Hyatt Auckland will mark Hyatt's return to New Zealand, and the first Park Hyatt-branded hotel to open in Auckland.
Nick Honeyman has been confirmed as Executive Chef at Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour with a wide ranging brief to make the 5-star hotel’s elegant Lava Dining his own.