Sanjay Keswani has been appointed general manager of Four Points By Sheraton Hotel & Serviced Apartments, Pune.
In his new role, he will be spearheading various specialised functions of the hotel and will be responsible for steering the management team.
Prior to this, Keswani was the general manager at Holiday Inn New Delhi Mayur Vihar Noida. The seasoned hotelier has three decades of experience under his belt and has worked for brands such as Hyatt, Hilton and InterContinental Hotels Group, having started with Taj Hotels in 1986.
Mario Piazza has been named general manager of Angsana Velavaru, moving to the Maldives from his most recent appointment as the hotel manager of Banyan Tree Ringha, China.
Piazaa first joined the Banyan Tree Group as an area recreational manager at Banyan Tree Bintan and Angsana Resort and Spa in 2001. After a stint with Vinpearl Resort and Spa Group, he rejoined the Banyan Tree Group and has since cut his teeth in various positions in different locations in the region.
He had assumed roles including group recreation director and operations – Laguna Lang Co, Vietnam and the Shanghai corporate office, director of recreation at Banyan Tree Phuket and director of hotel operations manager of Banyan Tree Lijiang.
Be it conventions, conferences or corporate meetings; discover dynamic meeting experiences with only our best. Convene at any 6 strategic hotel locations in Singapore –
Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, Orchard Hotel,
M Hotel, M Social, Studio M or Copthorne King’s.
Maximise the potential of your events through 100,000 sq ft of flexible event space.
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GRAND COPTHORNE WATERFRONT HOTEL
Total Guest Rooms: 550 | Total Serviced Suites: 24 | Total Meeting Rooms: 33 | Largest Capacity: 1,100 Persons (Theatre-style)
Overlooking the historic Singapore River, Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel is a 574-room premier deluxe conference hotel where luxurious elegance and contemporary style go hand in hand. It is located near the Central Business District and the scenic waterfront precincts of Robertson Quay, Clarke Quay and Boat Quay.
With 33 versatile, naturally lit meeting rooms, including a pillar-less ballroom covering an impressive 850 square metres, the Waterfront Conference Centre provides meeting planners a one-stop solution for all events. With state-of-the-art meeting facilities such as wireless broadband internet access, built-in projectors, intelligent lighting, sound systems for special effects and most importantly, a dedicated events team, the hotel is fully equipped to provide the highest standard of excellence and personalised service to guest, delegates and organisers. Other facilities include 3 vibrant food & beverage venues, swimming pool and on-site fully-equipped fitness centre. Guests can travel conveniently to key entertainment locations by public transport or by boat along the Singapore River for a memorable experience.
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ORCHARD HOTEL SINGAPORE
Total Guest Rooms: 656 | Total Meeting Rooms: 11 | Largest Capacity: 1,500 Persons (Theatre-style)
Winner of prestigious awards for accommodation experience, guests staying at Orchard Hotel will enjoy its perfect location, warm hospitality and choice offerings for business and leisure. Situated on Singapore’s renowned Orchard Road, the city-state’s premier retail and entertainment belt, Orchard Hotel is within walking distance from the Orchard Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station; 30 minutes from Changi International Airport; 15 minutes from the Central Business District (CBD) and just five minutes from Singapore Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Contemporary, yet classic in style, the hotel’s 656 guest rooms and suites span two characteristically unique buildings – Orchard and Claymore Wings.
Decked out with state-of-the-art meeting facilities, the very best in audio-visual technology, Orchard Hotel offers 13 elegantly-designed function venues, with a total of 20,000 square feet of function space, including one of the largest pillar-free ballrooms in town with a 6-metre high ceiling and catering up to 1,500 guests. A Halal-certified kitchen caters to events for Muslim guests. Leave it to the team of experienced and dedicated event planners and award-winning chefs to help you plan a truly memorable occasion every step of the way. A trusted caterer for state events, our offsite catering services Orchard @ Your Place delivers distinctive service and culinary creativity to your location. Other facilities include 5 dining establishments, including award-winning Hua Ting Chinese Restaurant and complimentary shuttle service to central business district, along Orchard Road.
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M HOTEL SINGAPORE
Total Guest Rooms: 415 | Total Meeting Rooms: 14 | Largest Capacity: 380 Persons (Theatre-style with stage)
M Hotel Singapore is strategically set in the heart of the CBD; the hotel is easily accessible by Tanjong Pagar Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station and offers breath-taking panoramic Singapore harbour views. Key government offices, the Integrated Resorts, Sentosa, Chinatown and Marina Bay are within close proximity. The hotel boasts 415 well-appointed guest rooms and suites designed for both discerning business and leisure travellers with modern technological amenities.
The hotel offers a host of comprehensive facilities, including 14 multi-function rooms equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. Both Banquet Suite and the newly enhanced Anson Room is a serial of 4 conjoining function rooms that is flexible in configuration and can host a private meeting for 30 persons and big conference or convention for up to 380 persons. In addition to 32 fully furnished designer office suites complete with a selection of modern business and IT facilities at level 8 Office Suites and Business Centre. Other facilities include 5 popular food & beverage outlets, including Café 2000, The Buffet Restaurant, J Bar and Tea Bar serving Singapore’s most famous chicken pies; as well as a spa, an outdoor swimming pool, coin operated self-service launderette and a 24-hour gymnasium.
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STUDIO M SINGAPORE
Total Guest Rooms: 360 | Total Meeting Room: 1 | Largest Capacity: 10 Persons
Studio M Hotel is Singapore’s first fully loft-inspired designer hotel. Designed by Italian style maestro and architect, Piero Lissoni, Studio M Hotel Singapore offers contemporary living spaces in which to work, rest and play. Step into the comfort of the urban-inspired and stylish rooms with 3m high ceilings and sleek amenities including hotel-wide Wi-Fi connectivity and separate work and rest areas. Plus, each of our 360° designer rooms feature a mezzanine level, making the room feel more like your very own flat rather than an impersonal space.
Situated in the bustling entertainment precinct of Robertson Quay, just minutes away from Clarke Quay, the Central Business District (CBD) and renowned Orchard Road, Studio M is the perfect destination for casual out-of-the-box meeting venues. If you’re looking for an informal setting for a business discussion, explore the 3 private cabanas at the open-air tropical deck with a relaxed urban vibe, suitable for up to 20 persons, complemented by ready-prepared quick bites and beverages from MEMO Café. There’s also a dedicated breakfast area at level 2, which has a main deck that can be used for exclusive corporate events and private social functions for 80 to 100 persons. Guests can also enjoy a game or two of pool, darts and other game machines located in the outdoor entertainment area.
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M SOCIAL SINGAPORE
Total Guest Rooms: 293 | Total Meeting Rooms: 1 | Largest Capacity: 30 Persons
M Social is a contemporary lifestyle hotel along the stunning and historic Singapore River created for the adventurers, the explorers and those who live for new experiences. Choose from 293 eclectic rooms designed by renowned interior designer, Philippe Starck. Plus there’s Beast & Butterflies, M Social’s signature restaurant, which offers some of the best fusion cuisine in town. Private events are housed in My Space, a cosy and intimate social enclave imbued with natural daylight, paired with creative food and beverage options—perfect for all types of events for up to 30 persons.
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COPTHORNE KING’S SINGAPORE
Total Guest Rooms: 310 | Total Meeting Rooms: 7 | Largest Capacity: 320 Persons
Located nearby to Clarke Quay, Robertson Quay, Orchard Road shopping belt and Singapore business district, Copthorne King’s prides itself on providing guests with an impeccable hospitality. All guest rooms include a private balcony overlooking stunning city views and thoughtful in-room amenities to ensure a warm and comfortable stay. Japanese guests can feel a little closer to home as they enjoy Japanese tea and biscuits while browsing through a selection of Japanese magazines and newspapers.
Equipped with versatile meeting rooms, the hotel also provides just the ideal location for an inspiring event, complemented by audio-visual equipment and high speed Wi-Fi. With high ceiling and semi natural light, the combination of Marquis, Duke and Duchess Room offers a popular choice for a variety of events, including press conferences, seminars and corporate dinners for up to 100 persons. The Foyer offers an ideal venue for an intimate cocktail reception for up to 50 people or for coffee breaks between functions and seminars. For those looking for a more informal setting, explore the Garden Terrace or Pool Terrace, each features a relaxing outdoor ambience and caters up to 80 persons. Just leave it to the Events team to take care of all the fine details so you can focus on having a successful event at Copthorne King’s Hotel. Other facilities include 4 food & beverage venues, including award-winning Tien Court Restaurant serving authentic Cantonese specialties and an exquisite Penang buffet spread at Princess Terrace as well as a fully-equipped gym and mini putting green.
JW Marriott Singapore South Beach has named Oliver Sturmayr as hotel manager and Rex Loh as cluster director of sales & marketing.
In his new role, Sturmayr reports directly to JW Marriott Singapore South Beach’s managing director Stephane Fabregoul for all business- and operations- related matters of the rooms, F&B divisions and the Spa by JW.
Sturmayr (left) and Loh
Sturmayr started his career working in front-of-house roles at established restaurants in Austria and Germany before joining One&Only Resorts in various F&B-related appointments. His then took on the role of resident manager at One&Only The Palm, Dubai, before joining W Retreat & Spa, Bali, just prior to his current role.
Meanwhile, Loh will report to Fabregoul for JW Marriott Singapore South Beach and St Regis Singapore, as well as to Krister Svensson, general manager for W Singapore Sentosa Cove.
Loh boasts experience with the Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore; Ritz-Carlton Singapore and the InterContinental Hotels Group.
It’s time to rethink Mongolia’s image as a destination solely for rugged explorers and adventurers, with the market mix changing along with improving air access from Europe and a “modernising” of the country’s visitor infrastructure.
Marking an inflection point in the destination’s evolution, a new airport – thrice the size of the existing one – is scheduled to open at end-2018, shared Gantemur Damba, president of the Mongolian Tourism Association.
Mongolia’s infrastructure updates will help to pull in more business events; the country believes it has alot to offer meeting and incentive groups
“This creates huge opportunities to increase the number of international flights, especially from Europe, to Mongolia,” Damba said.
He added that the destination could soon be getting more connections from Germany, a strategic hub between east and west Europe, with Munich-Mongolia flights slated for early 2019 and plans for Lufthansa to introduce feeder services.
Traditionally, European visitors mainly arrive in Mongolia in two ways – via the Trans Siberian rail and on one of three airlines, Mongolia Airlines, Turkish Airlines and Russia’s Aeroflot.
While many Europeans prefer the Trans Siberian route, they are part of a niche and transient segment of travellers that spend just three to five days in the country, he pointed out.
On the other hand, flights bring in longer-staying travellers with stronger luxury leanings. A typical package for European travellers spans 12 to 21 days.
With improving air access, business events and luxury segments are looking set to become a bigger part of Mongolia’s visitor mix. Moreover, visitor infrastructure is maturing, with about 15 international hotel chains – such as Shangri-La and Kempinski – already in Mongolia.
He said: “In 2016, Mongolia hosted the Asia European Meeting, a high-level ministerial summit of 55 countries. (Through it) we showed that Mongolia has the potential to be the next big destination for (business events) and luxury (travel).”
Damba said these developments are also setting Mongolia up as a key transit hub, with the country being well positioned to connect Asia and Europe in an “economically efficient” way.
Meanwhile, the destination intends to vie for business events with its unique features – modern amenities without the the appearance of being a concrete jungle, remarked Damba.
It has been 18 months since Hanoi-headquartered DMC Buffalo Tours branched out into the business events segment with a dedicated business events team.
Buffalo Events’ regional MICE sales executive, Wanwisa Namwisate, shared: “We’re 18 months old, but during our first year of operation we were busy doing preparations and (staff) training. Beginning in late October at ITB Asia was when we first started our sales calls, and organising our pricing and structure.”
Wanwisa: optimistic for the region’s meetings and incentives market
From October 2017 to January 2018, Buffalo Events has handled six groups that have gone to Bangkok and Phuket for meetings and teambuilding sessions. Average group sizes hailing from Singapore are between 100 and 200 pax, while the smallest group had eight people.
Buffalo Events has also sent a few groups numbering 80 to 150 pax to Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.
Wanwisa cited these destinations as examples as the company is “strong in Thailand and Vietnam”.
When asked what her plans were for 2018, Wanwisa revealed that Buffalo Events will conduct sales calls, participate in relevant tradeshows, and arrange their own marketing activities. Fam trips are also in the pipeline to promote destinations and their activities.
She told TTGmice that her target markets are Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong.
Roadshows to Malaysia and Singapore to meet with buyers were conducted in the past week, while a stop in Hong Kong will come up next month.
“I’m also looking at South Korea, but there is nothing concrete (for that market) yet,” she added.
Wanwisa is confident about Buffalo Events’ future prospects in the corporate segment.
“While the first part of the year has been slow, I’m optimistic that more meetings and incentive trips will happen in the second half of this year. My target number of groups for the whole of 2018 is 50 to Thailand and 25 to Vietnam,” she said.
Currently, confirmed groups from January to June 2018 to Thailand number at 20, while there will be more than 10 groups heading to Vietnam.
“Next year, I plan to double the numbers,” she concluded.
Event management company Pacific World has partnered with cultural food experience company Noshtrekker to offer clients more activity choices.
The new partnership brings both companies together to develop unique itineraries for events and incentives that focus on four areas of interest: heritage, arts, culture and wellness. Participants will immerse themselves in topics like culture, architecture, or sustainability, meet locals with interesting stories to tell and taste food that helps to tell the story.
Expect authentic experiences with locals
Selina Chavry, global managing director at Pacific World, said in a statement: “Our partnership with Noshtrekker creates a wholly unique product for incentives and events to discover a place through the eyes and tastes of locals.
“Our clients are craving unique, immersive experiences where they can engage with the destination’s culture and traditions. We align the location and experience with our client’s goals – and devise events that engage attendees on many levels, creating an unforgettable experience of a lifetime that bonds the guests,” she added.
“We are changing the way people travel by creating memories based on connecting cultures through delicious, authentic food prepared and served by locals with a story to tell,” Tahnya Butterfield, co-founder and chief experience designer at Noshtrekker.
Founded in 2015 and currently available in Singapore and New South Wales, Australia, Noshtrekker creates unique and authentic food memories in the homes of locals – Nosh Hosts. The homes are destinations in themselves, offering an intimate look into the local culture through delicious home-cooked food and engaging storytelling.
Accor takeover of Mantra on track; exterior of Mantra MacArthur Hotel in Canberra pictured
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has given the nod for AccorHotels’ A$1.2 billion acquisition of Mantra Group, after finding that two companies have little overlaps to give rise to anti-competition concerns.
ACCC chairman Rod Sims said: “The combined Accor-Mantra will still compete with other international and national hotel chains, as well as many independent hotels and accommodation providers.
Accor takeover of Mantra on track; exterior of Mantra MacArthur Hotel in Canberra pictured
“The combined Accor-Mantra will have a large number of properties in some areas, particularly in certain holiday destinations in Queensland. However, in each case and after a detailed review the ACCC has found that there are also sufficient other options nearby for visitors which will provide competition to Accor-Mantra,” Sims added.
Accor’s business is mainly focused on hotel-style accommodation and its brands include Sofitel, Novotel, Mercure and ibis. Mantra’s focus is on serviced apartments, which it offers through its Peppers, Art Series, Mantra and Breakfree brands.
The acquisition still requires approval from Mantra shareholders, as well as approvals from the Federal Court and the Foreign Investment Review Board.
Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts announced that it would rebrand and manage a luxury villa and suite resort in Hua Hin last year; the soon-to-reopen Mövenpick Asara Resort & Spa Hua Hin pictured
Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts moves forward with its expansion plans to open 11 new properties in nine countries by the end of 2018.
Out of the nine countries, the global hospitality firm will make its debut in five – Bangladesh, Iraq, Kenya, Malaysia and the Maldives. The remaining properties will be located in the UAE, Egypt, Tunisia and Thailand.
Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts announced that it would rebrand and manage a luxury villa and suite resort in Hua Hin last year; the soon-to-reopen Mövenpick Asara Resort & Spa Hua Hin pictured
In Asia-Pacific, Mövenpick’s upcoming hotels this year include Mövenpick Asara Resort & Spa Hua Hin – the brand’s seventh property in Thailand; the 105-unit Mӧvenpick Resort & Spa Kuredhivaru in the Maldives, Mövenpick Hotel & Convention Centre KLIA in Malaysia, and Mövenpick Hotel Sylhet in Bangladesh. The company will also bolster its cluster strategy in Thailand with the opening of Mövenpick Resort Khao Yai.
“In 2018, our global expansion drive really steps up a gear, with the 11 new openings planned, putting us firmly on track to meet our target of 125 properties by 2020 and introducing the Mövenpick brand in some very desirable locations,” confirmed Olivier Chavy, president & CEO, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts.
Rooms The Westin Dubai Al Habtoor City stands 10 mins away from Dubai Mall, and 20 minutes from Dubai International Airport. The hotel opened in August 2016 with 1,004 rooms.
Deluxe Twin with Burj Khalifa View
My room was a deluxe twin room on Level 11 and came complete with Westin’s signature Heavenly Bed. I also had views of the iconic Burj Al Arab hotel in the distance and closer views of the busy Sheikh Zayid Road. Despite being so close to the action, I loved that I could not hear the sounds of traffic.
The room lighting was strong and there was a large study table, making it very conducive to work at night. There is also complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.
MICE facilities There are 16 function venues throughout the property, making the hotel an ideal venue for medium-scale meetings.
The 1,425m2 pillarless Al Joud Ballroom on the ground level has a separate entrance and a pre-function hall, and can cater to events for up to 850 guests in a banquet setup. The space is also divisible into three smaller ballrooms.
Al Joud Ballroom
Other meeting venues include 10 meeting rooms on level 2 which offer beautiful views of the Dubai Canal, as well as the four meeting rooms on level 1.
In addition, there is an outdoor space on level 7 which can be used to host evening cocktails and dinner events for around 300 guests. There are three swimming pools within the space, which can be used to enhance the event.
Within walking distance of the hotel are two other five star properties, the W Dubai Al Habtoor City and The St Regis Dubai Al Habtoor City. I love the fact that meeting planners can also integrate meeting and dining options at the other properties into their programme.
I would like to recommend that La Perle, Dubai’s very first live resident show, be added into your meeting programme as well. Created by Franco Dragone, it features 65 artistes performing a host of mind-boggling stunts. There are two night performances, starting at 19.00 and 21.30 at W Dubai Al Habtoor City.
Other facilities The 4,000m2 Heavenly Spa by Westin features 20 treatment rooms including two couple treatment rooms and a stimulating Hammam. In addition, steam room, sauna, hot tubs and speciality showers ensure a variety of options for total relaxation.
As in all Westin properties, The Westin Workout Fitness Studio is a fully equipped gym.
There is also a choice of six F&B venues. The all-day dining restaurant, Seasonal Tastes, has fantastic views of Dubai Creek and offers a variety of cuisines from Asian to Western to Arabic. I enjoyed the Indian selection and included idly (savoury rice cake) and thosai (Indian pancake) in my breakfast selection each morning.
Service could be further improved, especially during breakfast time at Seasonal Tastes. It seemed understaffed while I was there, as tables were not cleared fast enough for guests that were constantly arriving for breakfast. There was also no one to show me to my table.
Behind the imposing, Brutalist concrete that defines Zurich’s Oerlikon district lies a surprising secret. While its exterior honours the neighbourhood’s industrial roots, stepping inside Mama Shelter reveals a vibrant, neon-soaked world that is a far cry from its rigid shell
A polished urban retreat designed for business travellers, Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur at KL Midtown combines thoughtful design, seamless service, and exceptional facilities.
