Shelley Point Hotel on the Cape West Coast appoints new GM

Three Cities Group has announced the appointment of Desmond O’Connor as new GM of Shelley Point Hotel, Country Club and Spa on the Cape West Coast.

The hotel is one of the properties recently acquired by Three Cities and, with 20 years experience as an hotelier, Desmond brings significant experience & panache to Shelley Point, set on a private peninsula 90 minutes from Cape Town.

Along with nearby white beaches and clear azure water, a links style golf course and luxury spa, Shelley Point Hotel, Country Club & Spa a premier destination on the West Coast.

O’Connor served his three year management apprenticeship with the Karos Group followed by stints at the Indaba Hotel and Conference Centre and the Theatre on Track conference centre in Johannesburg after which he took on the demanding role of banqueting manager at Spier near Stellenbosch for two years.

His next position was that of assistant executive manager at Hôtel Le Vendôme, Sea Point, for two years followed by a move to the Table Bay Hotel, in the V & A Waterfront, where he was F & B manager and deputy GM for five years before accepting a position as the first GM at the Cape Royal Luxury Hotel and Residence (also a five-star establishment).

After a two year period here he opted for a more tranquil lifestyle in the country as GM at Shelley Point Hotel, Spa and Country Club.

“Shelley Point is a particularly exciting challenge because it is, as yet, “undiscovered” and little known to the majority of Capetonians, upcountry travellers and international tourists. Nevertheless, it has the facilities and service standards to satisfy the most demanding of clients.

“We are already the premier Cape West Coast hospitality destination and my job will be to see that a far wider market becomes aware of this. It’s an exciting challenge in a spectacular environment.”

Desmond O'connor

With 44 elegantly decorated en-suite rooms, the traveller may choose from a Studio Suite, Mezzanine suite with loft bedroom and Garden Suite – all emphasizing privacy, space and comfort.

Along with a sun-splashed swimming pool and adjacent club lounge, the hotel also boasts a large, luxurious wellness spa, boutique, hair salon, pro golf shop, a hi-tech gym, tennis courts and fully fledged Kids Club (allowing the guest to take time out on the golf course or in the spa).

The exclusive 4 star Shelley Point Hotel, Country Club & Spa was also designed to host private conferences from 25 to 80 delegates, with its own lounge, meeting rooms, private garden & bar and state of the art presentation facilities.

A second phase is currently underway at Shelley Point Hotel, Country Club & Spa with the construction of a new accommodation block which Desmond says will be “elegant in a Ralph Lauren-style of décor” and opens mid-May.

source http://www.travelwires.com

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Three Cities bags Queensgate Hotels management account, Shelley Point Hotel is part of the group.

Three Cities Management Limited (“Three Cities”) today announced that they have entered into an agreement with Queensgate Hotels & Leisure Limited (“Queensgate”). The agreement will see Three Cities taking over the management of all Queensgate Hotels with immediate effective, on a fee sharing basis. The deal will see the Three Cities room stock grow by an additional 600 rooms within 8 hotels and by early 2010 a further 400 rooms – putting the growth at almost 50% over the next 6 months.

Mike Lambert, Chief Operating Officer of Three Cities commented, “We are excited about the long term opportunities that this reciprocal agreement brings. Our alliance will enable us to capitalise on each other’s strengths and focus on core competencies, where we look forward to developing internationally and growing our local destinations.”

Another opportunity will see Three Cities offering the hospitality industry training in world class Spa operations, based on Queensgate’s One Wellness Spa Division, this will be offered by Three Cities educational training division The International Hotel School.

The second phase of the symbiotic relationship will see Three Cities hand over its hotel development opportunities to Queensgate Business Development, a subsidiary of Queensgate. This will effectively mean that all business development for both groups will be handled by Queensgate, being a core competency of theirs.

Three Cities Group manages and markets over 40 quality tourism and leisure properties. Their unique portfolios of properties include City Hotels, Resorts, Exceptional Safaris and the Exceptional Collection, as well as three campuses of The International Hotel School, an Equestrian Academy and the largest Marine Theme Park in Africa – uShaka Marine World in Durban. Their highly regarded services will give the Queensgate hotel portfolio the management expertise, sales, marketing and online reservations, resulting in building the Queensgate individual properties reputation in the market place.

Queensgate Hotels and Leisure CEO, Andrew Hubbard, comments: “We are excited about this agreement which will not only see our hotels managed by the exceptional Three Cities, but also transfer reservations for our hotels to Three Cities’ sophisticated online reservation service which will enhance our customers’ experience. In addition, the link with Three Cities will strengthen the position of Queensgate hotels in the corporate, government and domestic sector, an area in which Three Cities has traditionally been and is very strong.”

The Queensgate portfolio being managed by Three Cities include the following:

• Park Inn, situated on the historic Greenmarket Square of Cape Town is ideally located for the vibrant business and government traveller, with 144, four star rooms.
• Hollow on the Square is situated in the heart of the city of Cape Town and within walking distance from the International Convention Centre (CTICC) and the V&A Waterfront. With stylish and modern accommodation this hotel offers 116 rooms in a 4 star environment.
• Cape Town Hollow Boutique Hotel, nestling in the shadow of Table Mountain. This 4 star Hotel offers stylish serene accommodation with spectacular views from its 56 rooms.
• Rockwell All Suite Hotel inspired by buildings from the turn of the last century in downtown Manhattan, New York, this 4 star executive apartment hotel displays an inherent richness and warmth in 55 apartments.
• Shelley Point Hotel, Country Club & Spa is nestled on the silvery white sands of lush green Peninsula Village of Shelley Point, on the Western Cape coastline. This 4 star, 80 room hotel is situated approximately 90 minutes from Cape Town.
• The Avenue Hotel was established in 1936, the 4 star Hotel is situated on the False Bay coastline in the small town of Fish Hoek and offers 51 en-suite rooms.
• The Alphen Hotel is a National Monument, a historic 21 room Country Manor House which offers more than just accommodation. It is the heart of a former Wine Estate, centrally situated in the Peninsula and at the gateway of the Constantia Valley and Wine Route.
• Tinga Private Game Lodge situated on the banks for the Sabi River in prime game viewing area of the Kruger National Park. This 5 Star lodge is located near Skukuza and has 18 chalets in 2 Camps.

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