ONE OF Phuket's best-known resorts has a new general manager - and a new name is on the way. The Chedi Phuket is becoming the Surin Phuket, and a series of refurbishments will be carried out in phases.
Overseeing the name change and the physical upgrades will be GM Antonio Saponara, who has moved to The Surin (nee Chedi) from the neighboring Amanpuri, Phuket. Both resorts share an exclusive headland close to Surin beach.
Mr Saponara's appointment as GM is effective immediately, while the name change formally takes place on October 30.
The switch in names has been a well-kept secret for almost 12 months as the transformation of The Chedi Phuket to The Surin Phuket was carefully planned.
A short statement from The Chedi-Surin last night has finally declared a new beginning for a destination that resonates with Phuket's upmarket visitors.
The Chedi brand, in place for almost 15 years, went with the former management company, General Hotel Management Ltd, when they and the owners parted company in an amicable ''divorce'' about 12 months ago.
The resort's owners, Surin Bay Company Ltd, have been self-managing since.
Mr Saponara was Hotel Manager at Amanpuri, Phuket. Before moving to Thailand, he was Food and Beverage Manager at The Chedi, in Oman. The media release says that Mr Saponara ''comes with an extensive background in food and beverage and has worked in world class destinations including The Dorchester and Claridges in London and at Emirates Towers Hotel in Dubai.''
A detailed program for the renovation of the resort has yet to be announced, but work is expected to commence in June or July next year.
About The soon-to-be Surin Phuket, the media release has this to say: ''Gracefully rising up a hillside overlooking the Andaman Sea above the white sand Pansea Bay Phuket, are 108 cottages of The Surin, Phuket. Each of the Thai-style villas - linked by steps and walkways - offer private verandas, sun decks and teak floors.
''Other features of the resort include a dark-tile swimming pool that sits just off the beach, a spa with both indoor and outdoor treatment rooms, a range of water sports and tennis, three restaurants and two bars.''
Overseeing the name change and the physical upgrades will be GM Antonio Saponara, who has moved to The Surin (nee Chedi) from the neighboring Amanpuri, Phuket. Both resorts share an exclusive headland close to Surin beach.
Mr Saponara's appointment as GM is effective immediately, while the name change formally takes place on October 30.
The switch in names has been a well-kept secret for almost 12 months as the transformation of The Chedi Phuket to The Surin Phuket was carefully planned.
A short statement from The Chedi-Surin last night has finally declared a new beginning for a destination that resonates with Phuket's upmarket visitors.
The Chedi brand, in place for almost 15 years, went with the former management company, General Hotel Management Ltd, when they and the owners parted company in an amicable ''divorce'' about 12 months ago.
The resort's owners, Surin Bay Company Ltd, have been self-managing since.
Mr Saponara was Hotel Manager at Amanpuri, Phuket. Before moving to Thailand, he was Food and Beverage Manager at The Chedi, in Oman. The media release says that Mr Saponara ''comes with an extensive background in food and beverage and has worked in world class destinations including The Dorchester and Claridges in London and at Emirates Towers Hotel in Dubai.''
A detailed program for the renovation of the resort has yet to be announced, but work is expected to commence in June or July next year.
About The soon-to-be Surin Phuket, the media release has this to say: ''Gracefully rising up a hillside overlooking the Andaman Sea above the white sand Pansea Bay Phuket, are 108 cottages of The Surin, Phuket. Each of the Thai-style villas - linked by steps and walkways - offer private verandas, sun decks and teak floors.
''Other features of the resort include a dark-tile swimming pool that sits just off the beach, a spa with both indoor and outdoor treatment rooms, a range of water sports and tennis, three restaurants and two bars.''
What happened to Chedi GM Daniel Meury? Met him once (only time I've been to The Chedi; meant to go again) at the Jose Padilla set in early 2006. Meury seemed the consumate hotelier.
Posted by Tanya Millibank on September 28, 2010 22:30