Australian-based 'Wotif Group' (Wotif.com Holdings Limited), which operates a portfolio of leading travel brands in the Asia Pacific region including Wotif.com, has completed integration with eRevMax to offer XML connectivity to its growing base of hotel customers.
Pro-invest Group is pleased to announce InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has recently invested in its Australian Hospitality Opportunity Fund (AHO). Under the A$150 million fund, Pro-invest Group is currently developing a portfolio of up to 15 Holiday Inn Express hotels across Australia. The first closing of the fund has now taken place and in addition to IHG, the fund comprises investors from established offshore family offices.
Jan Jansen has been named Director of Business Development at Hilton Sydney. He will be responsible for directing all aspects of the hotel's commercial functions including sales and marketing, conference and event, revenue and reservations.
Pan Pan Pacific Pacific Hotels Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Nicola Chandler as Director of Sales for PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney.
Lauren joins The Langham, Sydney from her previous role as Director Of Creative & Strategy at DG Global, an award-winning live communications agency with offices in Melbourne, Perth and Singapore, where she was responsible for heading up all luxury accounts for the group. Lauren is a Marketing Communications professional with 15-years’ experience, predominately focusing in the disciplines of PR, brand management, social media, live experience and creative development.
The Langham, Sydney will be closing its doors on Thursday, 24th July for a period of four months to commence its highly anticipated $30 million refurbishment; transforming the landmark hotel into Sydney's most exclusive harbourside address. Leading London-based interior and architectural design firm GA Design have created a world class transformation for the luxury Sydney home. The renovation will include a complete redevelopment and refurbishment of the lobby, dining areas, guestrooms and residential-style ballroom with an aesthetic blending sophistication and timeless elegance with custom-made furnishings and treatments. Bringing the hotel into line with its international sister properties, signature Langham luxuries such as Chuan Spa and Palm Court will be also introduced. Sonia Lefevre, General Manager of The Langham, Sydney says the refurbishment was some years in the making. "We are so delighted to finally announce our refurbishment! These plans have been a work in progress since we took over the hotel in August 2012," she said. "We are committed to our tradition of delivering the luxury Sydney home experience, and are excited to be opening the doors to Sydney's most exclusive harbourside address of unsurpassed elegance and opulence this December."The 96-room residence boasts the largest guestrooms in Sydney at 49 square metres (527 square feet) with opening windows and balconies. From its central Kent Street address, guests can enjoy sweeping western harbourside views, and a tranquil yet convenient location in proximity to some of the city's most iconic destinations. Lefevre adds, "We are very fortunate to be located in such a historic neighbourhood. With The Langham, Sydney overlooking the revitalisation of Barangaroo and introduction of Headland Park, our guests will enjoy Western Harbour and lush parkland views with direct access to the Sydney Harbour foreshore."LobbyUpon entering the newly renovated Langham Sydney, guests will be greeted with a fresh and light space of luxurious and rich materials that hark back to the historical splendour of days gone by. The Lobby will feature a stunning floor of Calacatta marble with a simple Art Deco-inspired design and a large central reception desk of gold leaf crackled porcelain.The Lobby area will be extended and the existing staircase removed, flooding the area with natural light, creating the grandest of entrances.Palm CourtFamed as the birthplace of the traditional Afternoon Tea experience, Palm Court will be welcomed by The Langham, Sydney. From illustrious beginnings at The Langham, London nearly 150 years ago, Palm Court will offer Sydneysiders an exclusive Afternoon Tea experience – Afternoon Tea with Wedgwood. 2014 marks the beginning of a global partnership between Wedgwood and Langham Hospitality Group to deliver the world's most distinct, memorable and unique Afternoon Tea experience.By evening, Palm Court provides a sophisticated backdrop drop for a signature Langham cocktail expertly prepared at the leather and stone bar.A hallmark of the Langham brand; Palm Court will be adorned by shades of teal and citrus golds, evoking a sense of English heritage in an elegant yet striking environment bathed in natural light. Kent Street KitchenHeaded up by recent acquisition, Chef de Cuisine Daniel Rudolph (formerly of est.), Kent Street Kitchen will deliver a unique and one-of-a-kind, contemporary fine-dining experience. With an interactive kitchen, Kent Street Kitchen will showcase innovative cuisine using premium local produce, executed with elegance and technical precision.Guests will enjoy a welcoming and enchanting atmosphere, created by high-end residential accents including rich oak flooring, walnut and leather chairs, customized lighting, freestanding wine libraries and an array celebrated Australian artworks curated exclusively by Sotheby's.Kent Street Kitchen will be flexible in design and layout to allow for intimate private dining functions.Chuan SpaThe existing Day Spa will be transformed into a Chuan Spa; a Langham signature, delivering a reinvigorated spa experience. Chuan Spas are exclusive to the Langham Hospitality Group and is consistently rated among the best luxury spas in the world.Chuan Spa's philosophy is as old as time itself; based on the foundations of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), to create an optimal balance of the Five Wu Xing elements: fire, water, earth, metal and wood to harmonise the body and soul, and enrich our capacity for personal happiness and fulfilment.The spa will feature facials, massages and body treatments based upon TCM principles, as well as advanced skin care treatments from German beauty pioneers, BABOR.The all-inclusive Chuan Spa offers a holistic approach to health, fitness and wellness, with a fully-equipped Health Club, Jacuzzi and steam rooms. The Langham, Sydney's renowned 20m indoor pool, complete with pale stone columns and a star-dappled sky ceiling will remain, completing the ultimate oasis of quiet calm.GuestroomReferencing The Langham's heritage, the redesigned guestrooms combine high-end luxe appeal with colonial charm to evoke timeless elegance. Each spacious guestroom will feature an eclectic mix of furniture, and have designated and appointed areas for rest, relaxation and dining. Each guestroom is fitted with Langham's signature Blissful Beds and framed by a sophisticated linen-studded headboard; ensuring guests have a restful night's sleep. Grandeur abounds with painted shutters opening onto postcard-worthy views of Western Harbour or Sydney's skyline, while high ceilings, panelled walls and custom-made furnishings create a truly luxurious, residential feel.The BallroomDesigned as a much grander space with significant increases in capacity to 200 persons for cocktails and 150 persons for a banquet dinner, the colours in The Ballroom are rich gold amber against a soft sophisticated silver grey. Rich cream and gold panelling and grand crystal chandeliers contribute to a world class facility.The Ballroom will be the most lavish venue to delight guests and create enchanting memories.Experience elegance redefined when The Langham, Sydney reopens in December 2014.
Marc von Arnim has been appointed general manager of the Park Hyatt Sydney. An Australian national, Von Arnim’s career with Hyatt spans 22 years. He first joined Hyatt Regency Coolum in 1992 and has since held positions in Perth, Melbourne and Sydney, before becoming GM of Hyatt Regency Auckland in 2008.
Effective from early June 2014, Matthew will be based at the company's Australia head office at Bond Street in Sydney. Matthew will lead IHG's strategic growth and development across its Australasia region, including Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. He joins IHG from Accor Hotels where he held the role of General Manager, Development Pacific, since 2008. Prior to that Matthew has worked for a number of leading companies specialising in development, planning and acquisition including Scanna Developments and Urbis. The Head of Development role was previously held by Phil Kasselis, who has moved to take on the new position of Managing Director at Pro Invest, an international investment company which has partnered with IHG and established a $150 million fund to develop a portfolio of 15 Holiday Inn Express hotels across Australia. IHG currently operates its InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn brands in the market and will be introducing Holiday Inn Express which will launch in the next 12 months. IHG has 41 properties open across six countries and territories in Australasia, with another four due to open in the next three to five years.
Mr Cottan was previously general manager of Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney from 2003 to 2008. He has now returned to the city he has always fondly referred to as his second home. In 2003, Mr Cottan was instrumental in the property’s successful journey from ANA to Shangri-La, which then became the blueprint for the group’s further development in other Western destinations. During his initial tenure at Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney, Mr Cottan also completed an AU$40 million refurbishment, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts’ first expansion programme into a non-Asian location.
David has an outstanding track record of driving ambitious results around Australasia having led successful hotel operations in Australia, Thailand and Papua New Guinea.
Karen Marvell has been promoted from head of Sales and Marketing for Castaway Island to Director of Sales and Marketing for both Castaway Island and Outrigger on the Lagoon•Fiji, also based in Sydney.
Previously Director of Sales and Marketing for Outrigger on the Lagoon • Fiji, Andrew is based in Sydney in his new role where he is focusing on the Australian and New Zealand outbound markets for all Outrigger properties.
Christian Hirt has been appointed general manager of the Swissôtel Sydney. With more than 17 years’ hospitality experience, Hirt has worked in North America, Europe and now Australia. He previously served as director of operations at Swissôtel the Bosphorus in Istanbul. Previously, Christian Hirt workded for Kempinski at the Adlon Berlin.
Commerford brings a wealth of experience to the position - the past 18 years has seen her fulfil senior marketing roles across the consumer goods, quick service restaurant and alcoholic beverage industries in Australia, New Zealand and the UK.
Justin North has become the new culinary ambassador for Accor’s Pullman Hotels & Resorts brand in Australia. The advisory role will see North oversee the culinary direction of the 11 Pullmans in Australia. He is well-known in Australia, having held two coveted chefs’ hats for more than eight years.
Rudolf van Dijk has become the new general manager of the Four Seasons Hotel Sydney. He joins the hotel from the Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou in China, and has also worked at the luxury hotelier’s properties in Singapore, Tokyo, Bangkok, Shanghai and New York.
On the eve of SiteMinder's 7th birthday, the global leader in online distribution successfully launched the first networking event specifically targeting Online Booking Channels. The event was created to provide an open platform to discuss the latest developments within the industry while giving those who attended an opportunity to network with their peers.
Double Bay's legendary hotel situated at 33 Cross Street is soon to become InterContinental Sydney Double Bay. Singaporean-based Royal Hotels and InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) have signed a management agreement for the 140-room InterContinental hotel on this famed site in one of Sydney's most luxurious suburbs.Royal Hotels will undertake a multimillion-dollar refurbishment of all guest rooms and public areas of the hotel, after which it will reopen as InterContinental Sydney Double Bay in January 2014.Purpose-built in 1991 as the Ritz Carlton Double Bay, the hotel established a reputation as the place to stay for celebrities when visiting Sydney. It became the Stamford in 2001, before closing in 2009 with a view to being redeveloped.Australian architects, Bates Smart have been appointed by Royal Hotels to restore the hotel to its former glory. Facilities will include a ballroom for up to 300 guests, meeting space, an all-day dining restaurant, Club InterContinental, café, lounge and bar, rooftop pool and bar and generous underground parking. Underneath the hotel, a ground floor arcade will be developed and is anticipated to include a health club or day spa as well as retail space.Bobby Hiranandani, Director of Royal Hotels said, "We are tremendously excited about re-launching this property and becoming a member of the internationally-renowned InterContinental family. We selected IHG as our partner for this hotel based on the strength of the InterContinental brand both here and worldwide, and its proven ability to deliver premium returns on the assets that bear its name."Our plan is to rejuvenate this ideally-situated hotel and its surrounds, making it the destination for Eastern-suburbs locals and Australian and international visitors alike. InterContinental Sydney Double Bay will become an ideal destination for weddings, conferences and dining as well as luxury hotel accommodation."We are pleased to be partnering with IHG in this, a landmark in the Australian market. We have been impressed with IHG's support to date, and in them believe we have a partner that will assist us creating an exciting new guest experience in Sydney", said Hiranandani.IHG Asia, Middle East and Africa CEO, Jan Smits continued: "The signing of InterContinental Sydney Double Bay is a significant development for the InterContinental brand in Australia. The site at 33 Cross Street has long awaited the arrival of a new luxury hotel for Sydneysiders and visitors, and we feel confident that in partnership with Royal Hotels we will create something very special for our guests".InterContinental Sydney Double Bay will be the fifth InterContinental hotel in Australia, and will join the family of 169 InterContinental Hotels & Resorts around the world.
Starwood Hotels and Resorts is pleased to announce the appointment of David Janz to the position of Account Manager, Leisure, within the Starwood Sales Organisation team.
Swissôtel Sydney is excited to announce Mr Martin Yeo as the newly appointed Director of Food and Beverage. Entering the hospitality industry with a Bachelor of Commerce and a Masters in Hotel Management, Martin bringswith him numerous years of Food and Beverage operations experience. Martin’s managerial experiences include his roles as Conference and Events Operations Manager at Novotel Manly Pacific and most recently as Food and Beverage Manager at Sofitel Wentworth Sydney.