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Marcel Oostenbrink has been appointed as General Manager at Four Seasons Resort Hoi An (The Nam Hai)

Arriving from the sultry shores of Seychelles, Marcel Oostenbrink brings a breath of fresh air and a wealth of luxury resort expertise to Vietnam's cultural heartland. Recently appointed as General Manager of Four Seasons Resort Hoi An (The Nam Hai) Marcel is excited for the new chapter that is set to unfold at the picturesque beachfront property.

Ye Chang Sheng has been promoted to Resort Manager at The Anam Mui Ne

Prior to his new role, Ye worked as the Anam Group's executive assistant manager at Anam Cam Ranh. He joined the resort in 2017 as its executive chef and played an instrumental role in establishing its four restaurants and three bars. Ye has worked as a chef at InterContinental and Hilton hotels in South Africa, and took charge of the kitchen at Mia Resort Nha Trang as executive chef for two years before joining the Anam.

Martin Koerner has been named Group Commercial Director at The Anam Group

German national Koerner, an impassioned volunteer, returns to the Anam Group after previously working for almost four years as the group's director of sales, marketing and distribution and the Anam Cam Ranh's director of sales and marketing from late 2016 until mid 2020. Before his return to the group Koerner helped establish Optimum Hospitality, a specialist hotel and resort asset management and hospitality consultancy company for owners and investors, and was also Alma Resort Cam Ranh's commercial director for almost two years.

Waldorf Astoria Set to Debut in Hanoi, Vietnam

Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Hilton's (NYSE: HLT) iconic luxury hotel brand, today announced its entry into Vietnam with the signing of Waldorf Astoria Hanoi. The hotel, owned by BRG Group and managed by Hilton, continues the brand's entry into the world's most sought-after destinations such as Sydney, Tokyo, Jakarta, and Kuala Lumpur. Scheduled to open in 2025, Waldorf Astoria Hanoi will join Hilton's pipeline of nine other hotels and resorts that will open in Vietnam in the coming years.

Alvaro Berton has been appointed as General Manager at Melia Ho Tram

Spanish-born Alvaro Berton has taken charge of the 17-hectare beachfront property at Ho Tram, a two-hour drive from Vietnam's biggest metropolis Ho Chi Minh City.Berton has worked in management roles for Meliá Hotels International for more than eight years.He was the general manager of Meliá Purosani Yogyakarta in Indonesia for more than two years, and before that the cluster general manager for Melia's Sol Beach House Bali Benoa All Inclusive and Sol House Bali Kuta for almost five years.Before he embarked on a hospitality career, he studied a bachelor's degree in business and administration at the University of Seville in Spain and worked as a financial officer at CaixaBank Financial Group in Seville.Berton studied a master's degree in International Hotel Management at the University of Seville and worked as assistant manager at Meliá's Paradisus Palma Real Golf & Spa Luxury All Inclusive Resort in the Dominican Republic during his studies.In February 2014 Berton then became the cluster executive assistant manager and revenue manager for Samabe Leisure Resorts, overseeing the hotel operations for Grand Mirage Resort & Thalasso Bali and Club Bali Mirage.Berton's appointment to the Ho Tram resort comes as Vietnam's tourism industry booms in the wake of the pandemic's constraints.

BLINK Design Group creates a vernacular spectacular with Regent on Vietnam’s paradise isle of Phu Quoc

The prime movers in placemaking have teamed up with the last word in authentic Asian luxury to create a stunningly unique resort experience perfectly timed to open as South East Asia roars back to life. This is the story of the making of Regent Phu Quoc, the new jewel in the crown of Regent Hotels, which opens its doors in April 2022 to a world longing to rediscover the romance of travel and crying out for experiences of beguiling authenticity. It is the story of the ultimate collaboration between a hotel brand that has become the sine qua non of timelessly elegant escapes, and BLINK's visionaries who live and breathe destinations, immersing themselves in the vernacular and diving deep into local culture, art, craft and design before conjuring up experiences that become a true exploration of time and place. And it's the story of the birth of something very special on an island transforming from best-kept secret status, whispered amongst the cognoscenti, to its emergence as the region's hottest destination. A statement of intent from a brand with an auspicious history, part of the mythical lore and the cultural DNA of the East. Phu Quoc transcends cliché as a true island paradise; a gem of rarest jade reposing in the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Thailand. An island comprising 99 verdant peaks, 28 pristine islets, 20 unspoiled beaches, and some of the warmest smiles in Asia. Fishing villages, pearlers and pepper plantations provide charming glimpses into Vietnamese customs spanning generations, while more than half of the island has been protected as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 2006. It was against this backdrop that BLINK's best design brains were summoned to pool their knowledge and inspirations with the vast hotel and resort experience of the Regent brand and its new owner, InterContinental Hotels Group. The goal: create a luxury resort experience imbued with the soul and culture of Phu Quoc in an enviable location on the island's most beautiful and longest beach on its serene western shore. The vision: a place where sunlight pervades and the sparkling waters of the gulf enchant from every angle; a tranquil environment for relaxation, swathed in natural textiles and minimalist decor. A place where traditional Vietnamese and modern design merge. Memorable spaces that touch people and place BLINK founder Clint Nagata says the design group was honoured to be trusted with the master planning, architecture and interiors for the resort. "This is a very special project, from the brand involved to the uniquely beautiful location and a rich local culture full of traditions and artisans, and on to the timing of its launch," he said. "It was right in our wheelhouse in terms of delving into the art of placemaking; going very deep into the cultures, materials and traditions of the vernacular before we even put pen to paper." The brief was to create an all-suites and villas luxury beach resort, consisting of Ocean View Suites, Garden Pool Suites and opulent Pool Villas from one to seven bedrooms, private infinity pools and plunge pools, as well as six food and beverage concepts with Regent's elegant take on 'wow factor' and incorporating the brand's penchant for storytelling. A grand ballroom and event spaces, a Regent Club, and a cutting-edge spa concept were also required. Informing the master plan above all, says Nagata, was making the most of the breathtaking gulf waters and sunset. "This meant utilising a multi-dimensional approach for every major guest-facing space, deliberately spread horizontally and stacked vertically so that all guests enjoy an optimum view of the natural setting." The sense of arrival begins with a processional staircase to the lobby. Guests are greeted with an iconic space, framed with a modern interpretation of Vietnamese roofs and featuring luminous laquerwork with the delicate duck eggshell inlays for which the region is famous. Nagata says the initial architectural ideas were steeped in the Vietnamese vernacular. "This is a country with strong local culture and traditional architectural heritage. One of the structural systems commonly found is the wooden truss system, known locally as the Bovi. We have abstracted that feature and developed it into subtle patterns that feature on screens, carpets and accessories." One of the key elements in the masterplan is the courtyard-like villas, each with its own infinity pool and plunge pool and layers of privacy and intimacy. This is inspired by another key feature in the Vietnamese vernacular known as Gian Nha. "A traditional house is often composed of small compartments and courtyards," says Nagata. "These individual spaces create transition and different experiences within the same house. Our spatial zoning presents a contemporary interpretation of Gian Nha, blurring the boundaries of indoor and outdoor." The finished product is suffused with delicate Vietnamese craftsmanship and intricate thought processes. The villas gradually reveal themselves to their inhabitants, presenting moments of joy and little epiphanies. On a practical level, this also allows great flexibility so that spaces can be separated, creating a lock-off unit for different amounts of guests in different types of occasions. The larger villas also feature separate quarters for maids or drivers. Nagata said the iconic waters of the Gulf extend into the resort itself, reflected and amplified by some 206 pools scattered throughout the villas and the property. Culinary journeys into magical spaces Rice Market, Regent Phu Quoc's all-day dining space, affords a glimpse into the everyday life of the locals. Drawing inspiration from the rice market, the restaurant spills onto the central courtyard, inspired by the vibrant street markets of Vietnam. Ingenious twists on rice mills and water wheels along with burlap rice bag textures offer up eye candy in a relaxed ambiance. OKU is the showpiece fine dining restaurant, a French-Japanese Omakase atelier and salon de boeuf. It sits at the heart of the resort, a celebration of intricate Japanese woodwork, evoking the feel of a Parisian brasserie with a hint of new orientalist. Meticulous attention to detail pervades, from the cuisine to the interiors. Precision and perfection were BLINK's watchwords in creating this icon in the making. "Just as an Omakase Chef pays special attention to select ingredients to create a meal as an artistic expression, so too does the woodworker as the precision and perfection of his joinery becomes a work of art," explains Nagata. Classic elements of the brasserie are reinterpreted: Globe lights, patterned floors, cozy banquettes and modern ironmongery details. The wall murals, textiles and lacquered surfaces are inspired by traditional details and reinvented to reveal a new design aesthetic. A gem of a speakeasy with a secret entrance Imagine whiling away long tropical nights in a true hideaway suffused with speakeasy vibes and offering new excursions in mixology. The Jade bar is the hidden treasure of Regent Phu Quoc, only revealing itself at dusk. Inspiration was found in the jade-coloured waters of the Gulf, as well as the rich tradition of jade in Vietnamese culture, handed down from mother to daughter as an heirloom. Sophisticated shades of jade and layers of intricacy lend an opulent, old world feel. The arrival experience is purposely concealed during the day. An exclusive Regent Club sits atop the resort's main tower, overlooking the entire property. The ethereal image of crisp silhouettes against the stunning sunsets of Phu Quoc inspire the design of the rooftop pool area. Gradients of colour at the feature wall, flickers of golden tiles mimic the reflection of the sun against the clear blue waters. In the most private area of the Club, a library inspired by the tropical botanical gardens and local plants offer a sanctuary for guests. The Regent Club is a perfect place to watch sunset with a perfectly crafted Gin and Tonic. A journey with twists and turns Nagata says that while relaxed luxury and privacy are key concepts for the discerning modern traveller, BLINK strove to bestow a feeling of discovery upon guests. "We wanted to create pockets of space and a sense of epiphany within the resort to remind guests of the natural beauty of Phu Quoc. Not only can guests enjoy ocean views, but we scattered little landscaped courtyard spaces throughout the resort's public areas. "For example, some public bathrooms will open up to a courtyard with flora and natural lighting or a corridor may also turn a corner into a natural enclosure. We wanted to remind guests of the peaceful feelings that nature and her beauty brings, and with that, enhance the property's calming and relaxing atmosphere." BLINK's design journey also contained the unexpected. "We began this project with BIM Group, who entrusted much of the design direction to us and the Regent Hotels and Resorts team," adds Nagata. "Part way through the design, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) acquired Regent, and we pivoted to transform our design from a more neutral colour and material palette to something a bit more colorful to match with IHG's vision for Regent as part of their top end luxury brand offering. "This change in direction, while simple in theory, was challenging to accommodate without starting from scratch but also respecting the owner's original construction schedule."

Mauro Zanusso has been appointed as Executive Chef at InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort

InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, the award-winning five-star resort nestled in 39 hectares of nature on Vietnam's Son Tra Peninsula, has appointed Italian culinary master Mauro Zanusso as its new executive chef, as the hotel continues to raise the bar for gastronomy in Vietnam.Chef Mauro has over 20 years of top-level experience in fine-dining restaurants and five-star hotels around the world. He has learned specialist techniques and refined his skills in kitchens all around the world, from Italy to the UK, India, Brazil, Egypt, USA, Japan and China. His impressive journey has included spells with some of the world's most famous luxury hotel brands, including Four Seasons, St. Regis and Ritz-Carlton, and he served as Executive Chef of The St. Regis Shenzhen and The Ritz-Carlton Xi'an in China.During his career, Chef Mauro has been awarded the honor of "Best Dish" at the Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival and served as a Guest Chef at the gala event of Starwood Preferred Guests in Tokyo. He was also a member of Marriott International's F&B Advisory Board for Greater China, guiding the group's nationwide F&B strategy.He now brings his talent and leadership to InterContinental Danang, which was recently named as the "Best Hotel in Vietnam". Chef Mauro will oversee the resort's exceptional restaurants, bars and lounges, including Citron, the elevated all-day dining venue where guests savor authentic Vietnamese cuisine at tables that appear to float above the hillside, Barefoot, the chic beachfront restaurant situated just steps from the ocean, and L_O_N_G Bar, where expert mixologists shake up cool cocktails at a 50-metre-long bar. He will also manage the resort's catering and in-room dining functions.