Luxury Hotelier - November 2007 - (Page 48)

48| Protocols He says of the area: “There were a few hotels there that did not gel with the environment at all. They were just concrete blocks in the middle of a pristine area. At that time I came up with concept to develop a luxury resort to reflect the essence of the area itself.” Mr. Singh says almost 95 percent of material used in the resort construction— from cutlery and glassware to carpets and artifacts—is made in Romania. Working with architect Alireza Sagharchi of Stanhope Gate, Singh and his team developed a concept that would complement the Romanian landscape. “We wanted to showcase the Romanian experience, and this was very quickly understood by the architect,” Mr. Singh says. The end result was a property that resembles a fishing village. and offering cooking tips. The Great Fall Mushroom Hunts are just one of the packages designed to Egon Von Foidl meet the needs of guests looking for the Vancouver Island experience, says Egon Von Foidl, president and chief executive officer of HRG International, which manages The Aerie Resort. Being able to call on local establishments and partners is essential to providing guests with authentic experiences. “We work very closely with local organic farms, wineries and artists,” he says. “Because we’re a leader in the industry, it’s easy for us to establish strategic partnerships,” Mr. Von Foidl says. “But it truly is a partnership more than just a referral.” He says The Aerie works closely with other luxury properties on the island, and they each have their own specialties. With primarily leisure business, the packages at the resort are crucial. “It forces you to be creative,” Mr. Von Foidl says. “If you don’t have well-defined amenities and packages, customers won’t come. If you don’t give them a special experience, they will go someplace else.” The Paradisus Resorts brand offers a full range of “life-enriching activities,” according to the company, which is a brand operated by Sol Meliá Hotel & Resorts in locations such as Punta Cana, Dominican Republic and Cancun, Mexico. Among the most popular activities at the inclusive resorts are guacamole making, candle making and merengue dance lessons—experiences that are indigenous to the destinations. I think that most travelers want to have the possibility of knowing the real culture of the places they visit. They want to feel local flavor and experience something new, something that will awaken their consciousness and bring new sensations. —Alan Faena, president, Faena Group Activities define experience Hotel activities also make a big impact. From educational sessions to planned outings, guests respond to participatory opportunities that allow them to experience local culture. One example is at The Aerie Resort on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, where annual mushroom hunting excursions are a trademark. A Benedictine monk takes guests out every fall to the deep woods of the Cowichan Valley, where hidden crops of wild chanterelle, pine, cauliflower, hedgehog and king boletus mushrooms flourish. The crop locations are known only by a handful of gatherers—adding to the exclusivity of the trip. The five-hour trip concludes back at the resort, with chef Christophe Letard preparing dishes with the group’s bounty THE AERIE RESORT The people principle Faena Hotel + Universe employs Experience Managers who are responsible for making sure each guest Luxury Hotelier | November 2007 | www.LuxuryHotelier.com http://www.LuxuryHotelier.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Luxury Hotelier - November 2007

Luxury Hotelier - November 2007 Contents Editor's Letter Publisher's Letter Inform: News and Notes Network: People Personalities: Traditional Innovator Insight: Smith Travel Research / The Bench Insight: Ypartnership Properties: A Front-Row Seat to Moscow Properties: Northern Star Inspire: Outdoor Showers Deliver: Wellness and Fitness Protocols: The Real Deal Insight: Cornell University Innovate: In-Room Technology Development: Global Project Pipeline Indulge: Coffee and Tea Insight: Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne Connect: Regional Marketing Update: IH/M&RS Luxury Product Collection Dossier: Davide Bertilaccio of The Rocco Forte Collection’s Le Richemond

Luxury Hotelier - November 2007

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