Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) has reached an agreement with PT. Tiara Raya Bali International, a company of Ristia Group, to develop Le Méridien Bali – Jimbaran. Formerly known as Ristia Resort, the soon-to-open hotel will be rebranded to a Le Méridien resort under the management of Starwood Hotels & Resorts and is slated to open in mid-2012.
Luxury hospitality group Regent Hotels & Resorts has appointed Murray L. Aitken general manager of the Regent Bali, which is scheduled to open June 2012 in the Sanur District of Bali, Indonesia. A South African national, Aitken’s extensive hospitality experience includes appointments with Raffles and Swissotel in Southeast Asia, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts in Jakarta and the Caribbean, a luxurious beach resort in Dubai, Kerzner’s legendary Palace of the Lost City in Sun City, and Table Bay Hotel in Cape Town, South Africa. Most recently, he was general manager at Leading Hotels of the World’s Fancourt Hotel & Spa on South Africa’s Garden Route where he oversaw a $10 million renovation to the historic Manor House and launched it as an all-suite boutique hotel.
"Following the opening of W Bali, the expansion into Jakarta is another milestone in bringing the W brand to the world's most exciting and vibrant cities and resort destinations," said Eva Ziegler, Global Brand Leader, W Hotels Worldwide and Le Méridien. "W Jakarta will offer escape, extravaganza and innovative design in the heart of one of the city's most vibrant districts, redefining the contemporary lifestyle and bringing a completely new and distinctive experience to the hotel market in Jakarta."
Mr. Cameron, 49, of British nationality, has enjoyed a long career in the hospitality business, having trained at Scotland’s prestigious Gleneagles Hotel before moving to Asia, where he worked in Hong Kong and then in Indonesia. He was food and beverage manager at the Hilton Egypt before going to South Korea and then to Bangkok. He also spent several years as leaseholder and general manager of the Falcon Hotel, a traditional coaching inn style of hotel in Uppingham, England.
Patrick Sibourg was appointed General Manager of Hotel Ibis Bandung Supermal in August 2011. In his new appointment, Patrick Sibourg is entrusted for the opening of the largest Ibis hotel for Accor out of Paris, Ibis Bandung Supermal which is scheduled to open in December 2011. Patrick Sibourg, a French nationality with more than three decades of experience and achievements in the hospitality industry. A senior hotelier, Sibourg has served key management positions in France before moving his career to Asia as General Manager, Director of Sales and Operations 17 years ago.
Best Western International - The World's Largest Hotel Chain® - will soon be offering visitors to Bali the choice of a delightful new hotel, when BEST WESTERN Kuta Seaview opens in the popular tourist destination of Kuta.
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts (Fairmont) today announced a new 380-room luxury hotel in the capital city of Jakarta, Indonesia, scheduled to open in 2014. The property will be situated in Senayan Square at the South end of Jakarta's Central Business District. The site features Plaza Senayan, one of the most prestigious shopping centers in Jakarta with over 1 million visitors per month as well as prime residential and commercial facilities
Holiday Inn Express, one of the fastest growing hotel brands in the world, will soon make its debut in Bali, Indonesia. Holiday Inn Express hotels are designed as the smart choice for value-conscious business and leisure travellers, focusing on the things that matters the most to them – comfort and convenience.
The Address Hotels + Resorts, a five star premium hotel brand with a strong presence in Dubai and other global markets, has marked its Asian expansion by signing a management contract to operate The Address, The Terrace - Bali, a luxury retreat in Pecatu Indah Resort in Bali's Badung Regency, near Nusa Dua and Kuta in
"We are very excited about entering into the Indonesian market," said Janis Milham, vice president and global brand manager for Courtyard by Marriott. "Global expansion is very important to Courtyard as 25 percent of our pipeline is outside of the United States. We have experienced significant growth in Asia recently where we are serving both business and leisure travelers."
Sol Meliá, the leading hotel company in Spain, today announced an agreement to open a new five star hotel in Indonesia, Meliá Adhiwangsa Surabaya, increasing its presence in the Asia-Pacific region, a key focus for company growth strategy since it announced its globalisation and diversification strategy for emerging markets.
Pullman today announced its entry into the Indonesian market with Pullman Bali Legian Nirwana opening the doors to guests for its first 140 of 353 rooms on February 24, 2011. The balance will open over the next few months.
"As much as W has re-defined the hotel experience over the past 12 years, it is now reinterpreting the meaning of resorts," said Eva Ziegler, Global Brand Leader, W Hotels Worldwide and Le Méridien. "Each W Retreat & Spa is inspired by its destination, mixing cutting-edge design with local influences, creating an atmosphere where anything is possible and guests can escape and play on their terms."
The hillside retreat Alila Ubud has appointed Budiman Tanto Widjaja as Resort Manager. Budiman brings with him extensive experience in hospitality management from numerous well-established international hotel operators and various niche luxury resorts, including The Setai Miami and The Strand in Yangon. A passionate hotelier and globe trotter with strong sales & marketing, people and communication skills and an interest in art, culture, interior design and good life! During his studies in Les Roches, Switzerland, Budiman was ‘infected’ with the travel bug and travelled extensively through Europe during his undergrad days. From his home in Surabaya, Budiman then moved to Bali to start his career in the hospitality industry, where he served in the sales & marketing departments and spearheaded the human resource development before moving overseas again to cosmopolitan Miami. From the high life in Miami, to the cultural capital in Myanmar and now settling among the artisans & artists in Ubud! Budiman returns to his native Indonesia, after squeezing in a 6-month study at the local teachers university of Hebei province China, where he picked up a bit of his linguistic heritage by studying the Mandarin language.
Fresh from the 25th Marathon Des Sables in the Moroccan Desert, Jerome Colson has joined AYANA Resort and Spa Bali as Food & Beverage Executive Assistant Manager (F&B EAM), responsible for all 13 dining outlets across the award-winning property. The Belgian native and father-of-two joins AYANA after nine years with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company in F&B management roles, most recently as F&B EAM at the Portman Ritz-Carlton in Shanghai, China.
With a career spanning more than fifteen years in sales and marketing, Samuel has worked in numerous senior management positions including the Manila Hotel and a 10 year career with Shangri-La resorts prior to joining the Hilton Cebu Resort & Spa in 2006 as Director of Sales & Marketing for a two year tenure. His most recent role in Bali was Cluster Director of Sales & Marketing responsible for The Legian, The Club at The Legian in Seminyak, The Chedi Club at Tanah Gajah Ubud in charge of the overall planning and directing of business development initiatives. With his background in Sales and Marketing Samuel will oversee a strong team of 26 team members. He brings a wealth of experience to the brand and the resort and his knowledge of the hospitality scene will prove indispensable. Commenting on his appointment Samuel said, “Going back to Hilton is synonymous to returning back “home”. I look forward to further develop my career with the group as I take on this new challenge and opportunity.” Samuel is a Philippine national and is an avid golfer. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel & Restaurant Administration from the University of the Philippines.
Pan Pacific Hotels Group recently announced that it will open a Pan Pacific resort in Bali, Indonesia. Following the signing of the management agreement with PT Bali Nirwana Resort (BNR) on 9 February 2010 in Jakarta, the five-star integrated Le Meridien Nirwana Bali Resort will be rebranded Pan Pacific Nirwana Bali Resort on 1 April 2010.
Best Western International – The World’s Largest Hotel Chain® - is launching its luxury brand - Best Western Premier, in Indonesia, with the opening of the Best Western Premier Hotel Solo.
The Cornell-Nanyang Institute of Hospitality Management (CNI) will offer a research seminar on the 'Best Practices in the Asian Hospitality Industry' and an open information session to the public, especially those in the hospitality industry in Indonesia to inspire and expose potential hospitality professionals to best practices that they can employ in their own daily work and careers. The event will be held at the Hotel Mulia, Jakarta from 9.30am to 11.30am on Saturday, 12th of December 2009. The Seminar will be conducted by Dr Russell Arthur Smith, the Interim Dean of CNI.
Best Western International – The World’s Largest Hotel Chain® - has announced the soft opening of Best Western Premier Solo in Central Java in mid-August 2009. Best Western Premier Solo will be Best Western’s first premier brand hotel in Solo-Java, Indonesia, the city noted for its two royal houses of Mangkunegara & Kasunanan.