1. Small Luxury Hotels of the World Brand Demonstrates
Solid Performance in First Half of 2010
(Vocus) June 25, 2010
Small Luxury Hotels of the World, which recently opened its Asia Pacific Regional Office in
Singapore, has seen strong positive growth in the first half of 2010. Indicators of success
include an increase in reservations of 16 per cent year to date compared to the same period last
year, an increase in revenue of 14 per cent and the addition of over 30 hotels since September
2009 which means the brands portfolio now exceeds 500 properties worldwide.
The upward trend across all areas of business is reflected in positive feedback from members of
The Club of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. Over 7,000 Club members have already
responded to a survey which is currently underway. The research, which is being conducted by
the brand and coordinated by PricewaterhouseCoopers, was designed to give a snapshot of
consumer sentiment and to gain insights into travel behaviour patterns following the recent
economic downturn. Initial findings* indicate that average disposable incomes will increase this
year with one in three Club members who responded to the survey saying that they expect to be
better off in 2010 than last year. Corporate travel looks set to pick up again this year with 23 per
cent of respondents anticipating an increase in business travel and for leisure, more short
breaks are planned over the next 12 months. When asked about researching hotels, over 80
per cent of Club members use the Small Luxury Hotels of the World website http://www.slh.com
over any other method.
Paul Kerr, CEO of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, said: We have always maintained that
discerning travellers will never compromise on luxury. Whilst we have seen a shift in behaviour
over the past 24 months, current travel patterns indicate that consumer confidence is returning
and we are seeing encouraging numbers of advance bookings. What has been interesting is
that demand from hotels wanting to join the brand has never been higher throughout this period.
It is during difficult economic times that the benefits of being part of a brand like Small Luxury
Hotels of the World become increasingly evident. We have continued to innovate with new
initiatives like mobile marketing to add value for our loyal guests and for hotels which are part of
the brand.
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2. Small Luxury Hotels of the World now offers guests a choice of over 500 hotels in more than 70
countries worldwide but, despite this recent growth, it has maintained a strict standard of
excellence. Before being accepted into the brand, each property has to demonstrate that they
are the best of the best hotels in their area and then each hotel undergoes a rigorous inspection
process before being personally approved by Paul Kerr and the Board of Small Luxury Hotels of
the World. Properties are then inspected by mystery guests at least once every two years to
ensure standards are consistently maintained.
Since it was established in 1991, Small Luxury Hotels of the World has gone from strength to
strength with the number of rooms across the brand increasing from under 5,000 in the first year
to over 25,000 today. One of the brands attributes is the diversity of properties in its portfolio.
Nearly 40 per cent its properties are city centre sanctuaries, just over 33 per cent are resorts
and 30 per cent are country houses. The average number of rooms at each property has
decreased from 65 in 1991 to 50 in 2010 which is testament to the fact that, despite the steady
growth and extended global reach, the brand is focused on its original proposition of offering
unique, intimate hotels and highly personalised service.
The luxury hotel brand has added over 30 properties in the first half of the year including hotels
in new destinations such as Meg?ve, Monte Carlo, Split, Rioja, Pamplona, Acapulco, Belize and
the Netherland Antilles. The brand has expanded its portfolio in the Asia Pacific region where its
portfolio now stands at 112. New additions to the brand include two hotels in India, three island
resorts in Malaysia, a harbourfront hotel in Japan, three new city centre hotels in Bangkok and
two properties in China. Recent additions in the Americas boost the brands regional portfolio
there to approximately 90 properties and the brand includes over 300 hotels across Europe.
The brands presence in Central and South America has doubled over the past year. (See below
for a full list of properties added in 2010).
Small Luxury Hotels of the World properties offer a diverse range of experiences from the
cultural to the adventurous to the indulgent and the latest additions to the brand are no
exception. Formula One enthusiasts can now enjoy views of the Grand Prix track in Monaco
from Port Palace, Film Festival junkies can escape from the action at Le Grand Hotel Cannes
on the Croisette and thrill seekers can join the running of the bulls festival in Pamplona every
July.
As well as offering greater choice and diversity than ever before, Small Luxury Hotels of the
World has continued to roll out initiatives to add value for loyal guests. Global marketing
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3. programmes including Ski, Beach Escapes, Country Retreats, Golf, Spa and Honeymoon have
generated over $ 8million in revenue for hotels in the brand over the past 12 months. The Club
of Small Luxury Hotels of the World was recently re-launched to offer members added benefits
including a complimentary room upgrade at check-in subject to availability, continental breakfast
and late check-out.
To support key source markets around the world Small Luxury Hotels of the Worlds website,
http://www.slh.com, is now available in Japanese, Simplified Chinese, French, German, Spanish
and Russian. Multi-lingual reservations agents are also on hand to help with bookings and
enquiries via the brands toll free reservation numbers. For a full list of toll free numbers go to
http://www.slh.com/reservationnumbers.html
The brand continues to maintain its position as a leader in technological innovation in the hotel
industry. As well as its award-winning website, http://www.slh.com, Small Luxury Hotels of the
World launched its first iPhone app in February 2010. The app is free to download from iTunes
at http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/small-luxury-hotels-world/id359024705?mt=8. Nearly 21,000
travellers around the world have downloaded the app since its launch four months ago.
Travellers can Discover, Share and Enjoy all of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World properties
using the app. The brand has a strong presence on social media networks with nearly 10,000
fans on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/smallluxuryhotelsofheworld) and over 1,500
followers on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/slhluxuryhotels).????
Key appointments in 2010 to date include Mark Wong as Area Director and Brandon Chan as
Director of Sales for the Asia Pacific region, Carsten Lima, Director of Sales EMEA, Carmen
Munguia, Partnership Marketing Manager EMEA, Helen Argent, Marketing Communications
Manager, Carla Severn, Cluster Marketing Manager, Kurt Allen, Head of Online and Ande Lund,
Partnership Marketing Manager for the Americas.
Reservations at any Small Luxury Hotels of the World property can be made by calling one of
the toll free numbers which can be found at http://www.slh.com/reservationnumbers.html, online
at http://www.slh.com or via the new iPhone app. Travel agents need only remember the GDS
code LX for LuXury.
SMALL LUXURY HOTELS OF THE WORLD NEW PROPERTIES IN 2010 (Jan Jun)
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4. EUROPE
Port Palace, Monte Carlo, Monaco http://www.slh.com/portpalace
Close to the casinos and facing the Princes Palace, Port Palace, one of the most popular
boutique hotels in Monte Carlo, boasts a Michelin-starred restaurant, Restaurant Mandarine, a
wellness spa and stunning harbour views from every room. The rooms and suites were
designed by Le?la Menchari of Hermes. Guests can enjoy first-class views over the Formula
One Grand Prix Circuit at race w
More information on South African experience at :
http://southafricanexperience.com/small-luxury-hotels-of-the-world-brand-demonstrates-solid-pe
rformance-in-first-half-of-2010/
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