Casa de Campo appoints Leandro Cruz as VP of Sales

The management of Casa de Campo – the 7,000-acre luxury resort and golf destination in La Romana, Dominican Republic – announces the appointment of Leandro Cruz to Vice President of Sales. 


Cruz will be responsible for overseeing local and international sales at Casa de Campo – most famous for its stellar Pete Dye-designed golf courses, including the #1 golf course in Latin America, Teeth of the Dog – in addition to its world class polo and tennis facilities, ki-ra spa, spacious villas and private beaches.

“We are pleased to have an executive, like Leandro Cruz, with such an acclaimed professional portfolio and sales expertise,” said Rafael Torres, President of Casa de Campo.

A hotel management graduate, Cruz has more than 25 years experience in the hospitality industry throughout the United States, Europe and Latin America.

Casa de Campo is a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts and Leading Hotels of the World provides a choice accommodations in hotel rooms, suites or villa homes. “The Sporting Life” beckons with classic sports rooted in tradition, including five Pete Dye-designed golf courses (including famed Teeth of the Dog), 370-slip Marina & Yacht Club, Polo & Equestrian Club, La Terrazza Tennis Center and skeet/trap shooting at the 245-acre Shooting Club. Additional amenities range from The Casa de Campo Spa, Minitas Beach and Catalina Island, to The Beach Club by Le Cirque dining, six other cuisine collections, and cultural immersion at Altos de Chavon – an artisan’s village modeled after a 16th-century Mediterranean city with boutique shops, museums, and a 5,000-seat Grecian-style amphitheater that hosts international touring concerts.

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The Sebel set to expand with two new hotels announced

The Sebel network in Australia will grow its network of hotel and apartment properties in Australia with the Accor group announcing two new addresses for the brand in Victoria and Queensland – The Sebel South Brisbane and upcoming $35 million waterfront project, The Sebel Yarrawonga.

Accor officially welcomed its first property on the Southside of the Brisbane River this week with addition of The Sebel South Brisbane at 50 Water Street (pictured right).

In close proximity to the commercial and entertainment hub of South Bank and the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, the 63 room hotel offers apartment style accommodation for guests plus a selection of intimate conference and meeting solutions including a boardroom with seating for up to 14 guests.

Leisure facilities include a pool, fitness centre, and sky-deck facility with Brisbane’s best 360 degree views stretching from Mt Warning to Mt Coo-tha and across the CBD to the Gateway Bridge, Gabba and iconic Story Bridge.

The Sebel South Brisbane Premier one bedroom apartment

In regional Victoria, a new $35 million resort style development is set to be built on The Point overlooking Lake Mulwala, and will be operated under The Sebel banner by Accor.

Set for construction from early 2016, with an opening date in early 2018, The Sebel Yarrawonga will be a completely new 120-room hotel-serviced apartment facility.

The waterfront hotel will form the centrepiece of a broader resort and marina complex planned by development company, Lotus Living, The Sebel’s guests will have access to an impressive complex expected to include a bar and bistro, restaurant, 300-seat conference facility, pool, gymnasium and other health club amenities.

Lotus Living Project Director, Daniel Smith said The Sebel and the greater resort would deliver significant benefits to the township and support Yarrawonga as it continues to flourish as a premier holiday, conference and mini-getaway destination in Northern Victoria.

The Sebel Yarrawonga

“As the jewel in the crown of the Silverwoods Golf and Lifestyle Resort this hotel and resort will be able to accommodate up to 120 rooms and 300 guests for conferences and events,” Mr Smith said.

Accor Pacific Chief Operating Officer, Simon McGrath, said, “For more than 50 years The Sebel name has been renowned for its historical legacy, style and exceptional hotel destinations. We are excited by our latest partnerships with The Sebel which represent an opportunity for Accor to further capitalise on the growth in the serviced apartments sector and diversify from hotel and resort-style accommodation which has been our core product for over 20 years.”

With the recent addition of The Sebel South Brisbane, The Sebel network currently offers 23 properties across Australia and New Zealand, accommodating the Accor group’s apartment portfolio whilst also maintaining a traditional hotel offering to meet current consumer demands.

 
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Hyatt Place Tijuana opens in Mexico

Hyatt Hotels Corporation has opened Hyatt Place Tijuana in Baja California, Mexico. Hyatt Place Tijuana is the fourth Hyatt Place hotel to open in Mexico, and continues Hyatt’s growth strategy in the country.  

“We are delighted to see that the Hyatt Place brand’s guest appeal is growing and leveraging travelers from Mexico and around the world,” said Myles McGourty, senior vice president, Latin America & Caribbean for Hyatt. “Tijuana is a vibrant border city, drawing business and leisure travelers to the area from Mexico and the United States. We believe Hyatt Place Tijuana will bring a new standard to the area and will provide a perfect mix of modern style, seamless service and amenities that will exceed guest expectations.”

Hyatt Place Tijuana joins Hyatt Place Cuidad del Carmen, Hyatt Place La Paz and Hyatt Place Los Cabos, which is scheduled to reopen this year, post-Hurricane Odile.   

The growing appeal of the Hyatt Place brand among business and leisure travelers visiting Latin America and the Caribbean is fueling this growth in the region. Hyatt Place is currently represented in Costa Rica, Chile, Panama, and Puerto Rico. Previously announced Hyatt Place hotels are under development in Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Brazil. 

About Hyatt Place Tijuana  

Hyatt Place Tijuana is an upscale, select service hotel designed for the multi-tasking traveler. The hotel is situated on Agua Caliente Boulevard, in close proximity to the Zona Rio business and financial district. 

Additionally, the hotel is 15 minutes from Tijuana International Airport and 10 minutes from the United States Port of Entry. 

Guests will also be within easy access to the Agua Caliente Race Track and Casino, the soccer stadium Estadio Caliente, and the Club Campestre Tijuana country club. Guests may enjoy a wide variety of restaurants within walking distance from the hotel, and shopping at Plaza Rio shopping mall or Las Americas Premium Outlets in San Ysidro, California is only minutes away.

Hyatt Place Tijuana offers guests:

• 145 roomy rooms, all of which feature a swiveling 42-inch TV, the plush Hyatt Grand Bed and a Cozy Corner sectional sofa with sectional sofa-sleeper
• Free Wi-Fi everywhere
• Free hot buffet breakfast for guests
• 24/7 Gallery Menu & Market, which includes an all-day-dining restaurant, freshly prepared entrees and appetizers available around-the-clock, plus on-the-go salads, sandwiches, sweets and bottled beverages
• A Coffee to Cocktails Bar, offering a wide range of specialty coffees, espresso, premium beer and wines
• More than 1,776 square feet of flexible, meeting and function space 
• A 24-hour business center fully equipped with free wireless printers that can be used from anywhere in the hotel
• 24-hour Gym  
• Free guest parking

“We are very excited to bring Hyatt Place to the northern Mexico and Southern California communities with the opening of Hyatt Place Tijuana,” said General Manager Baltazar Pille. “Whether we are catering to business or leisure travelers, we know that our guests will appreciate the comfortable and functional amenities offered at Hyatt Place, such as free Wi-Fi, made-to-order fresh food around the clock and a 24-hour fitness center.”

Hyatt Place Tijuana is part of Hyatt’s loyalty program, Hyatt Gold Passport. Guests can earn Hyatt Gold Passport points and redeem for free night awards at more than 570 Hyatt hotels worldwide.

Hyatt Place Tijuana leadership

Hyatt Place La Tijuana is under the leadership of General Manager Baltazar Pille and Sales Manager Fernanda Beltran. In his role, Pille is directly responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the hotel, including overseeing the hotel’s associates and ensuring guests encounter the purposeful service for which Hyatt Place is known. Beltran is responsible for providing sales service and support to travelers and meeting planners frequenting the Tijuana area.

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Change at the top: Starwood CEO leaves, Director steps in role for interim

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has announced that Frits van Paasschen  (pictured right) has resigned by mutual agreement with the Board of Directors as President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director. Adam Aron, a Starwood Director since 2006, has been named Chief Executive Officer on an interim basis while the Board conducts a search for a permanent CEO that will include both internal and external candidates. van Paasschen will continue with Starwood as a consultant to assist in the transition. 

Bruce W. Duncan, Chairman of the Board, said, “Frits has made many important contributions over the past seven years to Starwood’s successful evolution into a global company with leading lifestyle brands that possess distinct competitive advantages. He’s put innovation and technology leadership at the forefront, while building a culture of collaboration across a dynamic organization. On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Frits for his outstanding service and wish him the best in his future endeavors.”

van Paasschen said, “I’m proud of Starwood’s accomplishments and the growth we’ve seen around the world and across all nine of our brands. We have challenged ourselves to deliver on bold plans while continuously finding new ways to provide better experiences for our guests, and it’s clear from our progress that Starwood is now in a strong position for the future. Creating this powerful global platform would not have been possible without the talented team of associates I have been honored to work with, and I am confident that Starwood will enjoy continued success for many years to come.”

Duncan continued, “The Board believes now is the right time to take steps to accelerate Starwood’s growth, improve performance, and sharpen our focus on operational excellence. We are fortunate to have on our Board a talented and experienced business builder in Adam Aron who is prepared to step into the CEO position on an interim basis. Adam has been a Starwood director for nearly a decade and has deep hospitality industry experience as former CEO of both Vail Resorts and Norwegian Cruise Line. He is very familiar with our strategy, brands and leaders around the globe, and we are confident Starwood won’t miss a beat as he steps in to lead the Company during this transitional period.”

Aron said, “Having served on the Board for almost a decade, I know where Starwood has been and where it’s headed, and am excited to lead the Company as we continue to work to increase value for shareholders and customers. I look forward to working with our talented management team and dedicated associates across the globe as we strive to accelerate our growth strategy and further enhance our world-class hotel brands.”

Aron has been a director of Starwood since 2006, serving at various times on the Audit Committee, Capital Committee, Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, and Compensation and Option Committee which he chaired. Since 2006, he has been a Senior Operating Partner at Apollo Management L.P. and Chief Executive Officer of World Leisure Partners, Inc., a leisure-related consultancy. He served as Chief Executive Officer of the Philadelphia 76ers from 2011 through 2013. From 1996 through 2006, Aron was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Vail Resorts, Inc., an owner and operator of ski resorts and hotels. From 1993 through 1996, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. Earlier in his career, Aron was Senior Vice President of Marketing for United Airlines and for Hyatt Hotels Corporation. Aron is a director of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.

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Huddle House Serves Up Strong Growth In 2014

 February 16, 2015

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga., Feb. 16, 2015 (hospitalitybusinessnews.com) — With franchise and development agreements representing 34 new restaurants as well as 10 new construction starts, 2014 was the most successful period of growth in recent years for Huddle House.

In addition, Huddle House recorded its 13th consecutive month of positive same store sales increases.

“All the credit goes to our dedicated franchisees and corporate support team,” said Jonathan Benjamin, Huddle House Chief Development Officer. “Our focus on customer service and support of our franchise partners is paying off.”

The iconic full-service family restaurant known for serving “Any Meal. Any Time.” finished the year with 378 restaurants in 21 states, primarily in the Southeast, Central, Midwest and Southwest United States.

The new signings include the first Huddle House locations for Nebraska, New Jersey and New York. Overall, new franchise and development agreement signings were up 183 percent over the previous year and new construction starts finished 43 percent ahead of 2013.

Huddle House expects to accelerate its pace of growth over the next three years. The growth will be accomplished primarily through franchising by both single-unit and multi-unit investors in a range of market sizes, including urban areas, small towns, travel centers and convenience sites. In addition, Huddle House is offering incentives to existing franchisees for adding more units and for remodeling existing stores.

“Interest in our franchise opportunities has never been higher,” Benjamin said. “Our low investment compared to industry averages, combined with our average unit sales volume, is driving increased demand and we expect that demand to continue growing throughout 2015.”

Scandic brings theatre back to life as part of Scandic Grand Central -

The curtain will soon go up again at the Vasateatern theatre in Stockholm. After having stood empty since 2009, the classic private theatre will live once more in a new guise. A vibrant cultural scene for theatre and music will become a reality when the splendid building is joined to Scandic Grand Central to create a one-of-a-kind hotel with restaurants and bars. The design of Vasateatern is a cooperation between the leading hotel operator in the Nordic region, Scandic, and the owner of the property, KLP Fastigheter. 

One of Sweden’s oldest theatres dating from the 1890s – and whose foyer is already part of Scandic Grand Central – will finally be in the spotlight again. Visitors will be able to step directly from the hotel’s bistro into the historic and beautifully ornamented auditorium where legendary theatre directors such as Gösta Ekman senior and Karl Gerhard have performed, as well as contemporary actors like Mikael Persbrandt and Suzanne Reuter.

Scandic Grand Central has already distinguished itself as an ambitious venue for concerts and clubbing. With Vasateatern’s spacious and majestic stage, the hotel will be able to accommodate a larger audience. The theatre will be rented to production companies that put on smaller musical, theatrical and dance performances. Scandic Grand Central will also be able to arrange and host conferences for up to 1,000 people.

“Scandic has great plans for Vasateatern. We want to create a new type of meeting place and a cultural and entertainment scene at the same time as we contribute to maintaining and refining a valuable part of Swedish culture”, says Frank Fiskers, President & CEO, Scandic Hotels.

"KLP's intention has been to restore Vasateatern to its original glory so that it will become a vibrant and diverse meeting place with cultural ambitions. We are now very happy to be able to realize this vision together with Scandic", says Anette von Mentzer, who is responsible for KLP's Swedish operations. 

Vasateatern is a designated National Heritage Building and it will undergo a complete antiquarian restoration under the guidance of antique experts. Depending on the length of the renovation, the theatre is expected to reopen spring/summer 2016. 

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Undersea restaurant Ithaa celebrates 10th anniversary at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

One decade ago, Ithaa at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island was spectacularly ‘sunk’ five metres into the waters of the Indian ocean and ever since it’s been the mecca for lovers of food, culture and architecture. Sitting like a pearl beneath the waves (Ithaa translates as ‘pearl’ in the Maldivian language of Dhivehi) the curved acrylic walls which give 180-degree panoramic views set the trend for unique dining. - 

It became the world’s first aquarium-style undersea restaurant – indulging diners with stunning views of the surrounding lagoon, reefs and tropical fish. Consistently recognised as one of the most beautiful restaurants in the world, Ithaa is fast becoming a 21st century travel icon, so it is no surprise that as one of the world’s most expensive and exclusive places to eat, there is no better place to showcase the finest wines.

To coincide with the date the restaurant first opened its doors - April 15 - Ithaa will host a Château Margaux sommelier dinner. The wine estate of Château Margaux dates back to the 17th Century and is renowned for its grapes as its prices. A bottle of 1787 Chateau Margaux was sold for $225,000 making it one of the world’s most expensive wines. This is the first time Château Margaux have been invited to host a at Conrad Maldives.

Kamal Malik, head sommelier says: “Ithaa sets the trend for dining in the Maldives, being the first to understand and truly demonstrate that a remote location needn't prohibit fine dining and good wines. It’s the obligatory choice for the gourmet traveller and has the most passionate, extensive and exclusive wine programme with more than 1,400+ labels and up to 20,000 bottles on the island. The Château Margaux sommelier dinner will add something extra special.” Past wine-pairing dinners have included Château Latour, hosted by Frederic Engerer, a Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill Verticals dinner and a never-to-be-forgotten Louis Roederer Cristal Verticals event which marked Ithaa’s 5th anniversary, and most recently a Dom Pérignon verticals dinner hosted to mark the 10th year sinking of Ithaa in November 2014.

Meanwhile, inspirational fine dining is at the heart of the Conrad Maldives experience.  Ithaa diners are offered ‘contemporary Maldivian cuisine’, taking local spices, seasonings and traditional cooking methods, but adding a western twist to create an innovative style of cooking that has not diminished in the past years.

Envisioned by Mr. Ahmed Saleem of Crown Company PVT, owning company of Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, Mr.Saleem was inspired  whilst travelling in Bali in 2001 and five years later Ithaa was brought to life by Mike Murphy of M J Murphy Limited in New Zealand who specialises in aquarium technology. At a cost of US $5 million, Ithaa took 85 tonnes of sand ballast (in sandbags) to sink into the ocean bed.

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Chris Meredith appointed new Executive Chef at Raffles Praslin, Seychelles -

Raffles Hotels & Resorts has announced the appointment of Chris Meredith as Executive Chef at Raffles Praslin, Seychelles. Meredith joins Raffles from the iconic Sandy Lane, Barbados where he held the position of Executive Chef.

British born and bred he began his career in 1994 working at Paul Heathcote’s 2 Michelin star restaurant Longridge. His culinary skills have gone from strength to strength as he has taken on significant roles in the kitchen, including working for The Dorchester Collection where he was at the helm of the kitchen at Coworth Park for several years. It is there that he had the honour of cooking for Queen Elizabeth II. Over the years Meredith has honed his cooking style to produce classical, elegant, and innovative dishes with a focus on fresh clean flavours which he will bring to the menu at Raffles Praslin.

Commenting on the appointment, Christoph G. Ganster, General Manager of Raffles Praslin, Seychelles states, “The entire team and myself here at Raffles Praslin, Seychelles are thrilled at the Chef Meredith’s appointment, and given his proven track record and experience at Michelin starred restaurants, he is the perfect match to head up our restaurants. It is clear that he is very passionate about his work in the kitchen and we are looking forward to welcoming him to the magical island of Praslin. Our guests will have the chance to experience the best local products and exquisite recipes created by a Michelin starred Chef, in such a far flung destination in the Indian Ocean.”

Meredith is the perfect candidate to take over the culinary reins at the beautiful all-villa resort of Raffles Praslin, Seychelles which boasts six bars and restaurants. These include Losean restaurant which showcases contemporary Mediterranean cuisine, Curieuse restaurant with specialties from South-East Asia and India and The Pool Restaurant & Bar where authentic Creole food and fresh seafood can be found.

The resort is spread over 30 acres of land on the spectacular island of Praslin and is home to the first award winning Raffles Spa. It is also situated close to natural wonders such as the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Vallée de Mai, where the interestingly-shaped endemic Coco de Mer palms grow, and Anse Lazio, one of the most beautiful beaches around the world.

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Jumeirah Group launches new home-grown restaurant division

Jumeirah Group has launched Jumeirah Restaurant Group Dubai (JRG Dubai), a global restaurant management company that creates, operates and franchises a portfolio of 60 restaurant brands. 

JRG Dubai operates home-grown high-end, premium casual and casual dining venues and lounges, including Pierchic, Tortuga, Pai Thai, 360° and The Noodle House, which comprises a portfolio of 23 branches worldwide.

The newest addition to the Jumeirah Group stable of brands, which includes luxury hotel brand Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts, contemporary lifestyle hotel brand Venu, and wellness brand Talise, JRG Dubai makes its debut at the Global Restaurant Investment Forum in Dubai on February 16-18.

The launch of the division marks a move from Jumeirah Group to dedicate resources to the further development of its restaurant portfolio, as it seeks to compete with the very best in the standalone restaurant market and help establish Dubai as a hub for culinary excellence. Having conducted a thorough business review, JRG Dubai will develop existing restaurants located within the Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts portfolio via a series of refurbishments, menu overhauls, talent acquisition and marketing excellence.

The group will collaborate with international experts, from chefs to consultants, in order to develop new concepts founded in Dubai. JRG Dubai will also engage in joint ventures, franchising and white label operations.

Piers Schreiber, spokesperson for Jumeirah Group, said: “Jumeirah Group is a pioneering Dubai-founded company and our new division, Jumeirah Restaurant Group Dubai, is committed to building on our heritage, reputation and success to become a world-recognised restaurant management company.”

JRG Dubai is opening two new restaurants in Q1: Beach Lounge at Jumeirah Beach Hotel, which has the best views of Burj Al Arab Jumeirah in Dubai; and Naya, a North Indian restaurant at Jumeirah Beach Hotel. 

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