Fairmont Baku welcomes Pascal Leprou as general manager. Leprou brings over 15 years of professional experience as a general manager and a wealth of invaluable and broad experience within the international luxury hospitality sector. Most recently, Leprou held the position of general manager at Hotel Nikolskaya Kempinski in Moscow, Russia.
Christophe, a French national, has an impressive career in the luxury hotel industry with over 20 years’ experience in Europe, the Middle East, West Africa, Central America and Asia. During his career he has driven Food and Beverage operations across luxury hotels such as Mandarin Oriental, Le Meridien, Four Seasons, The Savoy and Jumeirah. Previously, Christophe was the Hotel Manager of Jumeirah Zabeel Saray where he joined in 2011 for the pre-opening phase.
Sam Ioannidis has been appointed General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel Baku, and it wasn’t long after he arrived that he felt right at home.
The expansion of Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts continues at the crossroads of Southwest Asia and Europe with a new deluxe hotel in Baku, Azerbaijan. Scheduled to open in 2015, Swissôtel Baku is currently under construction and will open in time for the first European Olympic Games.
Where do you want to go next?For many, the answer this year will undoubtedly be Baku. As football fans worldwide look forward to the 2012 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in the fall, and the country's first Four Seasons now welcoming guests, the capital of Azerbaijan is now clearly marked on the world map.
For the 15th edition of EHL's strategy challenge, the Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne partnered with UNWTO, the United Nation's World Tourism Organization. UNWTO's Silk Road Project aims to support the development of sustainable tourism for countries along the "Silk Road", an ancient trade route between the empires of China, India, Persia and Rome.
Marriott International (NYSE: MAR) has opened its first hotel in Azerbaijan, the 243-room JW Marriott Absheron Baku under a management agreement with Yeni Absheron Oteli LLC. A stunning addition to Marriott International’s luxury JW Marriott global brand portfolio, the hotel overlooks Baku’s famed Azadliq Square and the Caspian Sea.
HVS is pleased to announce the first CIS & Georgia Hospitality Investment Conference (iCON) which will focus on the region's hotel development, investor climate and many of the current issues facing the industry. Scheduled for September 18-19, 2012 at the brand new JW Marriott Absheron Baku, iCON will bring together international investors and operators as well as some of the region's decision makers, governmental representatives and opinion leaders to address the current opportunities and challenges in the industry. iCON will provide a great platform for delegates to share views, insights, and proposed strategies for advancing the hospitality and tourism sectors in the region. Over the years, HVS has successfully contributed to identifying solutions through research and analysis to the challenges faced by the hospitality industry worldwide and has consistently redefined ways to help sustain a positive outlook for hospitality in the CIS. At iCON, HVS will provide another credible platform that takes a step towards future trends and practices. iCON 2012 will discuss some of the key subjects vital to addressing the current state of the hospitality industry. iCON 2012 Sessions Include:
Daniel Kempf has over 10 years of experience in the luxury hospitality industry, having worked with Kempinski as part of pre-opening teams as well as operating hotels in Germany, Eastern Europe and Asia in various managerial functions, most recently as Director of Sales and Marketing in Sofia. A German national, Daniel studied at the Steigenberger Lausanne, and is fluent in English and German. He is joining the preopening team for Jumeirah Bilgah Beach Hotel in Baku – the first international luxury city resort in Azerbaijan and Jumeirah’s entry in the CIS, opening in spring 2012.
Dave Horton, global head, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, said, "As a leading global hotel brand we are delighted to open our first hotel and eforea: spa at Hilton in Azerbaijan, a growing European destination. The hotel features sensational food and beverage options along with the authentic service that travellers from around the world expect from us."
"As more eforea: spa at Hilton locations open around the globe, our first location in Europe is another important milestone for us," said Dave Horton, global head, Hilton Hotels & Resorts. "This location at Hilton Baku brings eforea: spa at Hilton to four continents and offers stunning city and sea views. This spa will deliver a world class relaxation environment for guests to refresh, rejuvenate and emerge brighter."
Fairmont is pleased to announce several recent management and supervisory-level appointments at its properties worldwide. Adrian Ellis, who arrives at Fairmont as general manager, Fairmont Baku, Azerbaijan. Ellis, who began his career in London, brings a wealth of experience to this position and was most recently the general manager at the Corinthia Hotel Budapest, Hungary.
Located within the all-new Badamdar Complex, in the heart of Badamdar district in Baku, Kempinski Hotel Badamdar has its Grand Opening planned for September 2011. Kempinski Hotel Badamdar is the hotel group's second signed management agreement in the Azerbaijani capital, with the opening for Kempinski Hotel Crescent Baku planned for 2015.
Jumeirah Group, the Dubai-based luxury hospitality company and a member of Dubai Holding, has appointed Mete Atakuman as General Manager of Jumeirah Bilgah Hotel, Baku in Azerbaijan.
Jumeirah Group, the Dubai-based luxury hotel company and member of Dubai Holding, has signed an agreement with Azinco Holding Company to manage VENU Bilgah Hotel, Baku. The new contemporary lifestyle hotel on the shores of the Caspian Sea is scheduled to open in 2011.
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts ("Fairmont") and Azinko Development M.M.C. ("Azinko") today announced the signing of their agreement for Fairmont to manage a new 347-guestroom luxury hotel property in the sparkling coastal city of Baku, Azerbaijan.