Northstar

www.travelweeklyweb.com www.travelweeklyweb.com 6 | ■ TRAVELWeekly AsiA | JUNE 2014 Hotels Alila Hotels & Resorts announces partnership with San Francisco-based Commune Hotels & Resorts The Singapore-based hospitality group currently has 10 properties with a current pipeline of 15 hotels. SINGAPORE – Singapore-based Alila Hotels & Resorts, announces a new partnership with San Francisco-based Commune Hotels & Resorts, to create a global, lifestyle hotel management company. This alliance is the result of Geolo Capital, the private equity firm that owns Commune, acquiring an interest in Alila, a leading Asian lifestyle hotel company. It will allow Alila and Commune to leverage their combined strengths and collective expertise across their respective stronghold markets. Both companies will benefit and gain access to each other's brands, sales, marketing, and revenue management channels to gain wider exposure and distribution internationally. "Our partnership with Commune gives Alila exposure in North America and allows for synergies between our sales, marketing and revenue management channels, which will benefit both hotel portfolios," said Frederic Flageat-Simon, CEO of Alila. "We're working closely and strategically together to explore mutually-beneficial business opportunities as well as joint marketing, sales and promotion activities." Mövenpick Resort Laem Yai Beach Samui to open in November 2014 The hotel will be Mövenpick's third property in Thailand. HONG KONG – Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts has announced the signing of The Passage, Koh Samui Resort in Thailand. The property will rebranded as Mövenpick Resort Laem Yai Beach Samui and re-open under Mövenpick management in November 2014. The hotel will be the third property in Thailand, alongside the Bangtao and Karon Beach hotels in Phuket, to be managed by the upscale international hospitality company. The renovations will include the introduction of 23 new deluxe rooms as well as a series of upgrades to current amenities. As one of the key locations on Laem Yai beach in Samui, the Mövenpick property is a boutique resort offering striking beach-front views which are famed for spectacular sunsets. Just 18km from Samui International airport, the hotel is only a short distance from the island's vibrant port town of Nathorn, with its myriad of markets, shops and restaurants. Commenting on the importance of the Thailand market, Andreas Mattmüller, Chief Operating Officer, Middle East & Asia said, "This region is a significant growth sector for our brand, with the country seeing a 19.6% growth increase in tourism for 2013; we believe our resort on Laem Yai Beach is a great asset for us and offers huge potential." Due to ongoing and sustainable success in the Asian market, Mövenpick is turning its attention increasingly to Thailand, with plans to operate five properties by 2015. Locations set to open in 2015 include White Sand Beach, Pattaya and Chiang Mai, Suriwongse. Further projects in the country include properties at Hua Hin and Chiang Mai to open in 2017. Sofitel So Singapore opens for business Accor's luxury brand Sofitel makes its debut in Singapore SINGAPORE – With a chic blend of culture and cuisine, art and architecture, Sofitel So Singapore has opened its doors in the heart of the Singapore CBD. Located near Raffles Place, in the heart of Singapore's Central Business District, it is housed within an iconic heritage building built in 1927 on Robinson Road. The hotel is only minutes away from the city's most iconic landmarks, within close proximity to various modes of public transport. Nearby attractions range from the culinary delights of Chinatown and Lau Pa Sat to enjoying the attractions of Marina Bay. Designed by Singapore's only French design house, MIAJA Design Group, led by award-winning designer, Isabelle Miaja, the 134room Sofitel So Singapore has 2 wings, a So Hip wing and a So Heritage wing. Each room at Sofitel So Singapore has with high ceilings and bespoke light boxes featuring images of palatial glass domes inspired by the traditional architecture of Europe and modern constructions in Singapore. Guests staying in one of the nine opulent suites can enjoy hospitality from the moment they arrive in Singapore, with a complimentary one-way transfer from the airport to whizz them in style from door to door. With the modern traveler in mind, Sofitel So Singapore is equipped with the world's first completely Apple- based guest technology solution in every room, including iPad minis to control all room functions and iPhones to call for hotel requests.

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