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CAN WE BE
FRANKLYN?
The Stein Group has undergone a major rebrand
to re-emerge as Franklyn Hotels and Resorts.
The new name positions Franklyn for a
global expansion outside of Stein’s traditional
European heartland and into Asia, with projects
being considered in Singapore, China, Indonesia
News
and Thailand.
The changes also reflect a movement away
from founder David Stein since the 50% stake
taken in his company last year by KOP Capital in
Singapore and the addition of Michael Sagild as
new chief executive.
Franklyn manages 14 properties in six
European countries, including Hotel Son Net
in Majorca and Casa Angelina in Positano
(pictured). Sagild said: “We will acquire and
manage more hotels in the future and the name
change allows us more scope for that.”
He added there was a need to seek out larger
properties in the future, but the group would
avoid hotels with more than 160 rooms.
CRUISE CONVENTION SEES
“Otherwise you lose personal service,” he said.
The new branding is the result of intensive
RISE OF ULTRA LUXURY
customer research, which Sagild said had also
revealed that the Franklyn guest is typically 35+
and has a household income of $150,000.
ore than 450 agents are expected to launches in the ultra-luxury cruise sector – there Despite the Asian focus, Sagild said Franklyn
M
attend the UK Cruise Convention in has actually been very little activity in the sector will not leave its European HQ: “Barcelona is a
Dover, with sessions including a in recent years” fantastic city and we will never move from there.”
masterclass on ultra-luxury cruising, in The Cruise Convention is now into its third
association with ttgluxury. year and will have more ultra-luxury cruise
The convention takes place on June 17-19 companies involved than before, said Harmer,
and all agents will get the chance to visit Crystal including Regent Seven Seas, Silversea Cruises
Symphony. The ship (pictured) is extending its and Yachts of Seabourn.
stay in port as part of its repositioning before Seabourn launches Odyssey in Venice on
starting its Baltic cruising. June 24 and Sojourn next year, and is keen to
Andy Harmer is business development work with more agents in the UK, with groups
director for the Association of Cruise Experts, being invited to see Odyssey on a two-day
which is running the convention. He said: “It is mini-cruise before the ship’s maiden voyage.
so rare to be able to experience a visit onboard In December, Silversea launches its newest
a luxury cruise ship such as Crystal Symphony, ship — Silver Spirit — with more verandas, more
and it is a sign of the growing importance of dining choices and more onboard amenities.
the luxury cruise sector in the UK. More than 60% of places for the UK Cruise
“Seabourn Odyssey’s maiden voyage this Convention are already taken. To take part,
year marks the beginning of a significant era of register at ukcruiseconvention.org
NOTES CHIVA CHOW Sample some
of Chiva Som’s spa cuisine when executive CHECKING IN
chef Paisarn Cheewinsiriwat comes to
Claridge’s in April for a week of culinary The Shangri-La Hotel Tokyo opened at precisely
events (claridges.co.uk). 10.15am on March 2, in accordance with the guidance of
PRIVATE AFFAIR For a feng shui master. Its 202 guestrooms are on the top
total indulgence, suggest 11 floors of the 37-floor Marunouchi Trust Tower Main.
hiring the owner’s private Inside, there’s Nadaman for authentic Japanese kaiseki
villa at eco-luxe resort cuisine and a Chi spa featuring ancient Himalayan
Fregate Island Private in healing therapies (shangri-la.com). Sounds surprising,
the Seychelles – Banyan but when it opens its doors in April, Tucker’s Point will
Hill is now available for the be the first new hotel to open in Bermuda for more
first time (fregate.com). than 30 years. The hotel sits on 200 acres of waterfront
TEA TIME The open-air with panoramic views of Harrington Sound and the
Park Terrace opens at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Atlantic. Prestige Holidays is offering seven nights at
Park in May, a perfect stop-off after the Tucker’s Point with flights and transfers from £2,069pp
Chelsea Flower Show (May 19–23) with the (prestigeholidays.co.uk). Created from seven historic
hotel preparing treats such as raspberry, buildings – one of which is a monastery still inhabited
lychee and rose-scented macaroons, by monks – Rocco Forte’s The Augustine opens in
mandarinoriental.com. NO CREDIT CRUNCH Prague in May. It’s a stone’s throw from Prague Castle,
Crystal Cruises guests can now get $1,000 of the Wallenstein Gardens and Charles Bridge. The
shipboard credits each onboard Crystal restoration has been overseen by Rocco Forte’s sister
Serenity, during any Mediterranean cruise Olga Polizzi, the company’s director of design.
8
from July to November (crystalcruises.co.uk).
in the know
spring 09
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