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News for the Hospitality Executive |
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Katie Benson Appointed Managing Director
of The Langham, Hong Kong
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| Hong Kong (November, 2007) � Langham Hotels International
is pleased to announce the appointment of hospitality veteran Katie Benson
as Managing Director of The Langham, Hong Kong. With a distinguished
career that includes more than twenty years in the hotel industry, Ms.
Benson will take the only member of The Leading Hotels of the World in
Hong Kong to the next level of service, operations, and sales and marketing.
Cited by Hotel Management magazine as an �exceptional hospitality professional,� Ms. Benson has held executive positions at luxury hotels in the Middle East, China, and Australia. �The most enjoyable part of my job is connecting with people in all walks of life, and I look forward to bringing my experiences to The Langham, Hong Kong� she says. Prior to joining The Langham, Hong Kong, Ms. Benson served as managing director of the five-star Langham, Melbourne, where she hosted a multitude of high-profile guests including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and former U.S. President Bill Clinton. During her time as managing director of The Langham, Melbourne, she was the first woman ever to be named Australian Hotel Manager of the Year at the 2006 HM Awards for Hotel & Accommodation Excellence. Ms. Benson cites �knowledge of finances, human resources, sales, and marketing� as critical attributes in managing a five-star hotel. Utilizing those skills, Ms. Benson played an integral role in establishing Langham as a luxury hotel brand when the company rebranded the Sharaton Towers Melbourne as The Langham, Melbourne in 2004, during Ms. Benson�s time there as managing director. A seasoned hospitality professional, Ms. Benson�s dedication to excellence and personalized service will assist her in managing all service and operational aspects of The Langham. �I want to make sure the hotel feels like a haven for guests,� she says. The only member of The Leading Hotels of the World in Hong Kong, The Langham was recently recognized by Condé Nast Traveler as one of the �Top 75 Hotels in Asia." Ms. Benson�s appointment as managing director coincides with the hotel�s completion of the first phase of a $22 million renovation project that is transforming all of its 492 guestrooms and suites, offering guests a more luxurious travel experience than ever before. The renovation by Andy Tait of LRF Design includes a total redesign of room layouts; all new plush furniture; ornate, spa-influenced bathrooms; fine linens; drapery; artwork; and the addition of state-of the-art technology. The entire project will span three years with the second and third phases beginning in 2008 and 2009 respectively. The Langham, Hong Kong, located in the heart of Kowloon�s lively Tsimshatsui district, is directly across the harbor from the glittering corporate towers of Central Hong Kong. The only member of The Leading Hotels of the World in Hong Kong and member of the prestigious Virtuoso Portfolio, the 492-room, full-service property is managed and wholly-owned by Langham Hotels International Limited. Langham has a legendary hotel heritage dating back to 1865 when the Langham Hotel in London originally opened as Europe�s first Grand Hotel. Over 140 years, this flagship hotel has been at the forefront of sophisticated and gracious hospitality. Today, all Langham Hotels worldwide inherit the same philosophy that reflects elegance in design, innovation in hospitality, genuine service and captivation of the senses creating a truly unique hotel experience. Two distinctive brands are managed by Langham Hotels International (LHI) � The Langham and Langham Place. The Langham offers Enchanting Hospitality � a classic, timeless luxury that one will never forget. Langham Place, the younger sibling of The Langham, delivers Stimulating Hospitality that exemplifies inspirations with an individual sense of vitality and flair. Langham Hotels International manages five luxury properties under The Langham brand across the four continents, namely London, Boston, Hong Kong, Melbourne and Auckland. The first Langham Place Hotel opened in Hong Kong in 2005, and three new additions in China are scheduled to open � with two in Beijing (2008) and one in Changchun (2009). LHI is wholly owned by Great Eagle Holdings Limited, a publicly listed company (HKSE: 41) which was founded in 1963 and was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 1972. |
| Contact:
Stacey Francisco
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| Also See: | Langham Hotels International Rebranding Sheraton Hotels in Australia and New Zealand, The Langham Hotel, Melbourne and Langham Hotel, Auckland / December 2004 |
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