As Alila Hotels and Resorts, the contemporary luxury brand under Commune Hotels & Resorts, continues to expand its portfolio of innovative boutique hotels it has announced a series of new management appointments.

The luxury brand will launch in two new countries in 2017, opening new properties in Cambodia and Sri Lanka alongside a heritage property in India and China.  Each will be synonymous with Alila’s core philosophy – offering spectacular locations, an environmentally conscious design and cutting-edge luxury architecture.

The new appointments include:

Vijay Krishnan takes the helm as General Manager of Alila Fort Bishangarh which will open in Jaipur, India in Q1 2017. Vijay joins the team from The Anya Gurgaon in India and brings with him over 25 years of experience. Previous roles include India’s Park Hotels, Hyatt Regency Kolkata and The Park in Chennai.

In Cambodia, Eleonore Petin has been appointed General Manager of Alila Villas Koh Russey. Alila’s first villa property outside of Bali will open in Q1 2017. Experienced in launching new hotels, Eleonore moves from Alila Solo, Java which she opened in October 2015. Her previous roles include The Hermitage, Cotton House, The Aster Hotel in Tuanjim China and St Regis Resort, Bora Bora.

Taking on Alila Solo as General Manager is Jack Widagdo. An experienced hotelier, Jack has worked with renowned hotels across the Asia Pacific including Four Seasons (Thailand), Capella (Singapore and Bali), Kempinski (Sanya, China) and most recently Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Bali.

Also in Indonesia, Kemang Icon, Jakarta has named Herman Kartaamidjaja as Hotel Manager. Herman brings with him more than 18 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, with particularly strong credentials in F&B. Herman spent his formative years in Australia before returning to Indonesia and has worked with hospitality brands including Sheraton, Intercontinental and Grand Hyatt.

Alila’s first Sri Lankan hotel, Alila Koggala Lake is set to open in mid 2017.  Sanjiva Gautamadasa has been appointed General Manager. Sanjiva returns to Alila after four years, having worked previously as General Manager of Alila Manggis in Bali.  Along with his industry expertise, Sanjiva also brings knowledge of Sri Lanka having worked with Jetwing Hotels and for the Lighthouse Hotel and Spa.

Alila’s second property to open in China - Alila Yangshuo – has appointed Stephanie Li as General Manager. Stephanie brings over 20 years of experience to the role, which includes her most recent position as General Manager of the Intercontinental One Thousand Island Lake Resort.  Stephanie also has strong credentials in sales and marketing through previous roles as Director of Sales and Marketing and Revenue Manager in various IHG properties. Alila Yangshuo will open in Q1 2017.

Siddharth Savkur – who has been General Manager at Alila Diwa Goa since May 2013 – has been promoted to Regional General Manager of India. As well as continuing to manage Alila Diwa Goa, he will oversee the strategic management of Commune branded properties throughout the country.

ABOUT ALILA

Surprisingly Different
The hallmark of Alila is the combination of innovative design and luxury in unique locations, set apart by an unprecedented level of private space, crafted artisanship, personalised hospitality, and bespoke learning journeys. Alila means “Surprise” in Sanskrit, which suitably describes the refreshing character of our properties and impressions of our guests when they stay with us. In support of sustainable tourism, Alila hotels adopt EarthCheck operating standards, integrating the natural, physical and cultural elements of their environments. To stay at any of Alila's hotels & resorts is to embark on a destination experience – be it in recreating the flavours of the local cuisine, enhancing your well-being through ancient healing arts or the thrill of adventure sports, you will re-discover the luxury of living at Alila.​ www.alilahotels.com

ABOUT COMMUNE

Commune Hotels & Resorts is an international, multi-brand lifestyle hotel management company which manages and operates Alila Hotels and Resorts, an exclusive luxury brand; Thompson Hotels, a sophisticated lifestyle brand; Joie de Vivre Hotels, a collection of independently branded boutique hotels; and tommie, a new micro-lifestyle hotel brand. The COMMUNE office in Singapore oversees the Asia Pacific development and hotel management for all four brands, with upcoming developments in Indonesia, Cambodia, China, Sri Lanka, India, Malaysia and the Philippines. Brand Alila now operates 12 properties in Asia and is set to open another 17 hotels by 2018. Together with Commune and Destination Hotels, the group operates more than 100 properties with 38 under development throughout the US, UK and Asia.​ www.communehotels.com

About DISCOVERY programme

DISCOVERY is about making travel unforgettable. The eight million members of the programme receive recognition and rewards across 550 hotels, resorts, palaces and spas. Local Experiences, the innovative rewards of the DISCOVERY programme, are unique, authentic experiences, which are curated by each hotel to give a taste of local traditions and culture. Members also receive stay benefits, such as complimentary Wi-Fi, room upgrades and enhanced personal recognition as they move through the membership levels, each and every time they stay within the portfolio. For more information visit www.discoveryloyalty.com