Northstar

NEWS www.travelweeklyweb.com The Setai South Beach under new management SINGAPORE – In a surprise move on the early morning of March 31, Singapore-based management company, General Hotel Management (GHM) found that they were no longer the managers of The Setai South Beach in Miami. Setai Owners LLC, a company affiliated with Lehman Brothers Holdings installed a new management company called Trevi Luxury Hospitality Group, Inc (Trevi) to operate the hotel and condominium complex. Trevi has assumed operational control of the property and its guests, condominium owners, suppliers and employee have been notified of the change. Most of the employees at the resort have been offered employment under the new management. William A. Brewer III, partner at Bickel & Brewer and counsel for Setai Owners LLC said: "The owner believes that it was in the best interest of the project to exercise its rights, install new management at the resort and initiate the arbitration." According to American reports, Setai Owners LLC has commenced an international arbitration against GHM, claiming that GHM had violated the terms of the management agreement, dated March 20, 2000. President and director of GHM (established in 1991), Hans R. Jenni said in a statement: "Representatives from Lehman Brothers arrived at the hotel with armed guards and off duty sheriff offi cers in uniform in the early morning hours (at 2.30 a.m.) on March 31. They informed us that they were taking over the property and that General Hotel Management was no longer welcome on the property. These actions took us by surprise, as we had no prior indication they were intending to do this, nor were we under the impression that they were unhappy with our performance. We had just achieved the second best fi nancial performance year since the inception of the hotel, not an easy accomplishment in the current economic environment." Jenni added: "At this time we are not in a position to comment on the specifics of their allegations. We are in conversations with our lawyers and will take the necessary steps to ensure that Lehman Brothers complies with the requirements of the management contract in place. "The allegations shared by Lehman Brothers' council are defamatory, damaging and without basis. Lehman Brothers have ignored a valid contract, stormed the hotel and have taken the law into their own hands. Their lawless behavior is sending the message that no contract is enforceable." The Setai South Beach was opened in August 2005, and has been recognized as one of the top hotels in the world. Adrian Zecha, founder of Aman Resorts and non-executive chairman and director of GHM, said: "It was GHM that created the Setai concept and experience, leading the hotel to achieve numerous industry recognitions" "Under GHM management, The Setai South Beach has provided a strong resident experience that has been key to maintaining and increasing the value of the individual properties, creating record breaking prices for the property sales." It has been included in the awards of popular travel magazines like Conde Nast Traveller UK Gold List (2007 to 2011) and Travel & Leisure World's Best Large City Hotels (2009, 2010, 2011). GHM prides itself for conceptualising, developing and operating an exclusive group of hotels and resorts, with each property being an "original". Its portfolio includes the Legian Bali, Indonesia, the Nam Hai Hoi An, Vietnam, The Chedi Muscat, The Chedi Chiang Mai and The Ananti Club Seoul. Trendy lifestyle hotels launched in Bangkok and Pattaya BANGKOK – Pullman Bangkok Hotel G and Pullman Pattaya Hotel G are to open in April – bringing a new lifestyle hotel brand operated under a franchise agreement with Accor's Pullman Hotels & Resorts. The new brands in Thailand follow the successful operations of Hotel G Beijing, which is an award-winning lifestyle concept that is ranked among the city's most fashionable hotels. It sister property Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles went under a "restoration and revitalisation" programme, the formula was which was applied to both the Thai properties. "With the Hollywood and Beijing icons as their benchmark, the two new Thailand hotels extend the Hotel G brand's focus on today's lifestyle trends appealing to a young, savvy design-conscious crowd" said www.travelweeklyweb.com Scarlett Wine Bar & Restaurant Christophe Vielle, managing director of the hotel management group GCP Hospitality Key to the youthful spirit of the Hotel G brand are in-vogue dining and entertainment; its high profile bistro-style Scarlett Wine Bar & Restaurant which originated at Hotel G Beijing will also feature in Pullman Bangkok Hotel G on its 37th floor, with panoramic views from an outdoor terrace. It will be a "trendy new chill out venue for young executives" – with wines, cheeses, cold cuts and tapas. The brand's trendy food & beverage concepts will also extend to Playground – which will combine a mezzanine mixology bar and a long bar located in the hotel's lobby. At the 470-room Pullman Bangkok Hotel G on Silom Road, stylish areas have been created in public spaces for guests to hang out and work on their laptops and iPads. The 353-room Pullman Pattaya Hotel G in North Pattaya has the destination's fi rst Beach Club – which is Thailand's answer to the stylish pool party scenes of Miami, St Tropez and the group's famous Hollywood Roosevelt. GCP Hospitality is the hospitality division of Hong Kong based redeve- lopers Gaw Capital Partners. It operates and develops hotels and has a portfolio of 14 hotels. 06 MARCH 2012 | TRAVELWEEKLY ASIA ■ | 3

• Cover