Gstaad, Switzerland, December 5, 2011 – Niklaus J. Leuenberger, a Swiss hotelier originally from the canton of Bern, has been appointed Managing Director of The Alpina Gstaad, the first five-star hotel to be built in the Alpine village in 100 years.  He brings more than three decades of experience with luxury hotels in Asia, the United States and the Middle East.

Mr. Leuenberger will be responsible for the management and ongoing operations of the hotel which is scheduled to open in December 2012.  Part of a $337 million luxury development that includes private apartments within the hotel and two chalets, The Alpina Gstaad is a contemporary interpretation of traditional Swiss architecture incorporating authentic local materials and time-honored Alpine style, The hotel will have 57 rooms and suites, three restaurants, a spa, two pools and a private cinema.

Prior to joining The Alpina Gstaad, Mr. Leuenberger was Chief Operating Officer for Resorts Development Company, a subsidiary of the Alfardam Group in Dubai, overseeing the development of the $800 million St. Regis Hotel and Residential complex in Doha.  He spent 27 years in management roles with The Peninsula Hotels in China, Hong Kong and the Philippines, before transferring to the New York flagship in 1992.  Under his leadership, the New York hotel completed a comprehensive renovation in just 10 months and was recognized as having the highest employee satisfaction among all Peninsula Hotels.  With this success under his belt, he was promoted to Regional General Manager and charged with overseeing all aspects of the development and construction of The Peninsula Chicago.

Mr. Leuenberger has an MBA from Pacific Western University and is a graduate of the Hotel Management School in Lucerne.  His apprenticeship was at the legendary Dolder Grand Hotel in Zurich.

“I personally recommended Nik for this exciting project,” explained Onno Poortier, the principal of Rembrandt Management Services GmbH and the owner’s representative and advisor.  “He comes from the region and is a professional hotelier with extensive international experience with luxury hotels.  Nik understands our discerning clientele and the challenges of working with diverse cultures.  We are aspiring to create a new level of distinction in The Alpina Gstaad, and we know that Nik will contribute immensely towards making it one of the finest luxury hotels in Switzerland,” said Mr. Poortier.

Commenting on his appointment, Niklaus Leuenberger noted, “I am delighted to return to Switzerland to open The Alpina Gstaad and lead the hotel team.  It was my experience at a Gstaad hotel forty years ago that set my career in motion, so it means a lot to me personally to return to my roots for this special opportunity.”

For further information please visit www.thealpinagstaad.ch.