General Manager Appointments at Fairmont Hotels in Asia

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has appointed new general managers at several of its Asia-based properties currently under development.

Leading the pre-opening teams as general managers for the new Fairmont properties are Hans Hordijk at Fairmont Beijing (opening mid July 2009), Philip Smith at Fairmont Yangcheng Lake in Kunshan (opening October 2009), and Kamal Naamani at the legendary Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai (opening 2010). Anchoring this respected group of industry professionals is Ian Wilson, Regional Vice President, Asia, and general manager at the brand’s inaugural hotel in the Asia Pacific region, Fairmont Singapore.

Hans Hordijk, Fairmont Beijing (July 2009): As general manager of Fairmont Beijing, Hordijk will oversee the opening of this new hotel project, a contemporary property that is being positioned as a ‘gateway’ to the city’s Central Business District.

With a remarkable career spanning more than twenty years, Hordijk will supervise the day-to-day operations at the hotel and assume complete responsibility for all 222 well-appointed guestrooms and suites. This role signifies yet another a high point for Hordijk, whose passion for hotels began in London, firstly with the Hilton Group and then for several years at The Dorchester and The Peninsula Group, before moving on to become the general manager of The Oberoi Rajvilas in Jaipur, India. Most recently, Hordijk served as Vice President, Echelon Resorts, Las Vegas.

Philip Smith, Fairmont Yangcheng Lake, Kunshan (October 2009): A familiar face at Fairmont, but a relative newcomer to the region, Philip Smith brings a wealth of experience to his position as general manager at the Fairmont Yangcheng Lake in Kunshan. Smith, most recently the general manager at Canada’s seaside Fairmont Algonquin, has also held a series of management positions at other Fairmont properties including world-renowned mountain resorts The Fairmont Banff Springs and
The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Smith’s initial focus will be overseeing and leading the pre-opening activity at this 210-room hotel nestled on the pristine shores of scenic Yang Cheng Lake.

Kamal Naamani, Fairmont Peace Hotel, Shanghai (2010): Making his way to one of the brand’s most storied hotels is seasoned hotelier Kamal Naamani, who will lead the restoration and reopening of Shanghai’s iconic Fairmont Peace Hotel. Naamani boasts a record of extraordinary operating achievements. He seized the opportunity to be part of the 2001 pre-opening team for Fairmont Dubai, and with his distinctive management style and outstanding leadership influence, took on the esteemed role as the property’s general manager a short five years later. Now, Naamani is embarking on yet another exciting journey with the city’s landmark Peace Hotel, which is scheduled to reopen in 2010. Situated on the Bund, the 12-storey, 256-room property is being restored to its former glamour and will feature some of Shanghai’s greatest historic art deco and streamlined furnishings, creating an aura of timeless contemporary luxury.

Ian Wilson, Fairmont Singapore: Rounding out Fairmont’s hotel team in Asia is Ian Wilson, regional vice president, Asia, and general manager of the Fairmont Singapore. The quintessential hotelier, Wilson brings a dynamic mix of experience and industry knowledge to this role and has been instrumental in introducing the Fairmont brand in Asia. Prior to launching the brand’s first hotel in the market, Fairmont Singapore, in late 2007, Wilson served as general manager at the landmark Fairmont Royal York in Toronto, where he successfully positioned the hotel as one of Canada’s top revenue-generating hotels. In addition to providing leadership and guidance to his new team of general mangers, Wilson is also tasked with supporting the brand’s regional development activity, which includes announced Fairmont hotel projects in leading destinations such as Manila, Sanya and Macau.

Fairmont's portfolio currently includes 56 distinctive hotels, with plans to develop over 25 new properties in the coming years in destinations as diverse as Shanghai, Morocco and Anguilla.

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