Best Western International (BWI) has continued its rapid expansion in Indonesia with the launch of a new hotel in Jakarta - BEST WESTERN Hariston. Located in North Jakarta, the newly-built midscale hotel brings more than 200 contemporary rooms and suites to this fast-growing region, close to the city's port and just 20 minutes' drive from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.
Joshua Torai has been appointed Hotel Manager for the Kemang Icon in Jakarta. As a new addition to the Alila team, Joshua brings a wealth of expertise from his earlier experience with renowned hotel groups including Aman Resorts, Atlantis Palm Jumeirah and the Shangri-La Group. Originally from Singapore, Joshua has worked all over the world, including Turks & Caicos, Seychelles, Dubai and Europe.
Best Western International (BWI) has expanded its portfolio in Jakarta, with the launch of an exciting new hotel - BEST WESTERN Mega Kuningan. Located in the prime business and commercial area of Mega Kuningan, close to several embassies and the offices of multinational companies, BEST WESTERN Mega Kuningan is truly in the heart of the city.
Over the past 21 years, Austrian national Richard has gained a wealth of international experience across the globe. Before becoming General Manager of Raffles Hotel Le Royal Phnom Penh, he held key roles including Director of Operations for Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Abu Dhabi, as well as Regional Director of Food & Beverage for the Middle East and Director of Food & Beverage, Fairmont Dubai. With an extensive background in operations, particularly in Food & Beverage, he has also held senior positions in Michelin-starred restaurants, various award-winning spa and golf resorts in Europe and luxury cruise lines. As General Manager, Richard Schestak will oversee the opening of the hotel in the heart of Jakarta’s central business district, set in Ciputra World Jakarta, a prestigious new development with luxury boutiques, office buildings and an art museum. Raffles Jakarta will feature 173 exquisitely-designed rooms and suites, as well as an exciting array of restaurants and bars, and a large spa.
This July, Alila Jakarta promises a refreshing break from the 9 to 5 routine with the refurbished Spa Alila. As part of its bespoke wellness experience, Spa Alila now offers new "Spa Suites" for dedicated therapies, providing a surprisingly different lifestyle sanctuary for business and leisure travellers.
Christian Dolenc has been appointed Director of Rooms at the Mandarin Oriental, Jakarta. A German native, Mr Dolenc studied at Cornell University of Hotel Administration in Ithica in the US. Mr Dolenc continued his studies at GIHE in Glion, Switzerland where he completed a Master of Business Administration degree. Holding positions within the luxury hospitality industry for eleven years, Mr Dolenc began his career with Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group in 2010 at the Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong as Front Office Manager. Beginning his managerial career in the role of Front Desk Manager in the Rocco Forte Collection at the Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh, Mr Dolenc then joined The Peninsula in Hong Kong as Assistant Front Office Manager.
IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON: IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)], the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms, has announced the signing of InterContinental Jakarta Pondok Indah Hotel & Residences, in partnership with PT Pondok Indah Hotel, a subsidiary of public listed PT Metropolitan Kentjana Tbk.Scheduled to open in 2015, the 480-key property will be IHG's inaugural mixed-use development in Indonesia and will join a list of prestigious hotel and residence properties that the group has across the region, including InterContinental Asiana Saigon, InterContinental Dubai Festival City, InterContinental Doha The City, and the upcoming InterContinental Osaka in 2013.Currently under construction, the InterContinental Jakarta Pondok Indah Hotel & Residences comprises approximately 300 hotel rooms and 180 serviced residences. Centrally located in the affluent Pondok Indah district of South Jakarta, which also adjoins the Pondok Indah Mall 2, the property will have convenient access to up-market shopping malls, growing commercial office towers, international schools, hospitals, a waterpark and world-class championship golf facilities. The neighbouring area will also welcome a convention and exhibition centre in the future.Commented Husin Widjajakusuma, President Director of the PT Metropolitan Kentjana Tbk, "We are thrilled to work with IHG to introduce its maiden hotel and residences project in Indonesia. Located in one of the most sought after addresses in the city where there is a strong pent up demand for upscale accommodation, we are positive that InterContinental Jakarta Pondok Indah Hotel & Residences will cater to this growing segment and stimulate the hospitality industry in the country.""The signing of InterContinental Jakarta Pondok Indah Hotel & Residences is a perfect addition to our growing portfolio and will drive forward our expansion in this key growth market." said Jan Smits, Chief Executive Office, IHG Asia, Middle East and Africa. "With the country's exponential growth and infrastructure development, we see considerable potential for our hotel group and are delighted to partner with leading property developer PT Metropolitan Kentjana Tbk in bringing yet another deluxe accommodation to the region."The brand will also see a second InterContinental open in Bali in the same year with the InterContinental Bali Canggu Resort.
Drange, a 43-year old Norwegian national, brings over 20 years of extensive cooking experience with postings throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle-east with a recent stint at the prestigious Torch hotel in Doha.
With eight years in hotel sales and brand positioning with such international chains as the Marriott, Hilton and Sheraton hotels, Hotmida Petra Sari brings a set of fresh skills and industry knowledge to the Alila Jakarta. “Joining the team is a thrill for me as I have forever admired the property for its abstract-minimalist interiors and functional office space, fabulous spa and restaurants, and location,” said Sari.
British native Mr. Selves has been with the Starwood family for almost two decades, where he has specialized in hotel operations as well as developing exceptional food and beverage programs and concepts that enhance the guest experience. He comes to The Keraton direct from The St. Regis Bangkok, where he was the Hotel Manager for the pre-opening team for Thailand’s first St. Regis hotel. Prior to The St. Regis Bangkok, Mr. Selves was a member of the pre-opening team as Director of Operations for the award winning The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort and The Westin Costa Navarino Resort, a fully intergrated golf, beach and spa resort complex in Greece.
Mandarin Oriental, Jakarta has announced the appointment of Jeff Lee as Chinese Executive Chef for its Chinese restaurant, Xin Hwa. Jeff Lee, who previously worked at Mandarin Oriental, Singapore, has more than fourteen years’ culinary experience in five-star international chain hotels with a successful career that took him to Shanghai, Singapore, Malaysia and now Jakarta. A Malaysian citizen, Chef Lee specialises in fine Cantonese cuisine as well as large-scale Chinese banquets. Chef Lee started his career at the Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur, before moving Mandarin Oriental, Singapore. He has also had the opportunity to work under the supervision of famed celebrity Chef Jereme Leung, from whom Chef Lee learnt to give innovative touches on Chinese cuisine from various regions of China.
Mark Bradford, who is currently General Manager of Mandarin Oriental, Manila, will succeed Andrew Abram as General Manager of Mandarin Oriental, Jakarta with effect from 17 September 2012. Mark embarked on his career with Mandarin Oriental in 2001 as Hotel Manager of Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, and was appointed General Manager of Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, Chiang Mai in 2005. He moved to Manila in 2009.
Mandarin Oriental, Jakarta welcomes Ms. Yip Lai Pheng as the new Director of Sales and Marketing. Lai Pheng, a Malaysian national, completed her studies at the School Les Roches Bluche Montana, Switzerland with a diploma in Hotel Management and Tourism after which she commenced her career in Hostellerie Bon Accueil, Chateau d’oex, Switzerland as an Assistant Hotel Manager. Prior to joining Mandarin Oriental, Jakarta, Lai Pheng was Director of Sales & Marketing at the Pullman Kunching, Sarawak successfully launching the new property; in addition to this she has held strategic sales positions in Kuala Lumpur with Ritz-Carlton, Eastern & Oriental Hotel, and the JW Marriot.
The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. (NYSE: HOT), announced today the opening of its 80thhotel with the debut of Keraton at The Plaza, a Luxury Collection Hotel, the brand"s first hotel in Jakarta. The hotel opening also marks the first of four new Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts which will debut in Asia within the next six months, including The Royal Begonia in Sanya, China, Twelve at Hengshan in Shanghai, China and ITC Grand Chola in Chennai, India.
Woizik comes to The Keraton at The Plaza with more than 20 years of hospitality experience, with the most recent four years as Resident Manager for an international property in Jakarta. Starting his hospitality career as an apprentice in Stuttgart, he progressed through the years in Germany and was an assistant manager in Munich before he made his first international move to London in 1998. After spending 4 years in London where he held positions that include Group & Incentive Manager and Front Office Manager, Woizik expanded his geographical exposure to the Australia-New Zealand region, where he was a Director of Rooms for a couple of properties before making his latest move to Jakarta.Nested in one of Jakarta’s most prestigious streets on Jalan Thamrin in the heart of the worldly business district of Jakarta, The Keraton at The Plaza is an iconic oasis of quiet luxury that would provide an intimate focal point for distinguished business and leisure travelers.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts is pleased to announce that The Keraton at The Plaza, a Luxury Collection® Hotel, will open to the world in late April 2012. Located in the heart of Indonesia's capital city of Jakarta, The Keraton at The Plaza is an iconic oasis of quiet luxury on the Jalan Thamrin, one of Jakarta's most prestigious streets. With its unique modern ambiance reflective of Jakarta's rich indigenous culture, a luxury spa and a full suite of distinctive amenities and epicurean experiences, The Keraton at the Plaza is an inimitable focal point for distinguished business and leisure travelers.
Swiss-Belhotel International has appointed Mr. Raymond Marcel Zuest as Regional Director? Operations & Projects. Mr. Zuest is based in the Indonesia Regional Operations and Development Office in Jakarta, Prior to taking up his new position with Swiss-Belhotel International, Mr. Zuest was the General Manager of a leading international property in Jakarta, Indonesia.
"As we aggressively expand our footprint in the region through our award-winning brands, DoubleTree by Hilton Jakarta-Diponegoro marks the entry of a third brand under Hilton Worldwide's portfolio into Indonesia, following Hilton Bandung and Conrad Bali. Backed by the strong partnership with PT Nurtirta Nusa Lestari, we are confident that the hotel will continue to ensure our leadership position in commercial capitals in Asia Pacific," said Andrew Clough, senior vice president, development, Middle East & Asia Pacific, Hilton Worldwide.
Swiss-Belhotel International has appointed Mr. Albert Jan Vasseur as Regional Operations Manager to be based at the Indonesia Regional Office in Jakarta. Mr. Vasseur is on a three months assignment. Mr. Vasseur will be transferring from his current position as Resort Manager of Swiss-Belhotel International's Golden Palm Tree Resort and Spa in Malaysia.
Swiss-Belhotel International has appointed Mr. Jonas Illing as Regional Operations Executive to be based at the Indonesia Regional Office in Jakarta, Indonesia. Mr. Illing is a German Citizen.