New leader at Langham. Langham Hospitality Group, Hong Kong, has appointed Stefan Leser as chief executive officer. He will oversee all aspects of the group’s global portfolio of hotels, resorts and residences, provide strategic guidance, implement organizational processes for all divisions, and lead the global expansion drive. Leser has nearly 30 years of experience in the travel and hospitality industries, most recently at Jumeirah International as the group chief executive officer and a member of the board of directors.
Writing Wynn’s next chapter. Wynn Resorts on Monday announced the resignation of two directors, including John Hagenbuch, a real estate investor from Ketchum, Idaho, who Co-Founder Elaine Wynn described as a crony of Steve Wynn. Steve Wynn resigned in February following allegations of sexual harassment and since then Elaine Wynn has been pushing for sweeping changes. Since February, 60% of the board has turned over. At the same time, four female directors said at a forum on Monday they are committed to helping the company move onto a new chapter following the sexual misconduct scandal. The directors, three of whom have held their posts for less than a month, discussed equal pay, diversity and work-family balance at the forum attended by dozens of employees.
Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts keeps adding in Vietnam. The Swiss-based brand has signed a deal to manage the Mövenpick Hotel Ho Chi Minh City, which will comprise 815 keys – 288 hotel rooms and 527 serviced apartments – plus upscale business and leisure facilities. Scheduled to open in 2020, the project will form the centerpiece of Kenton Node Hotel Complex, a mixed-use development currently rising on the Rach Dia river bank. Over the next few years, Mövenpick will launch new Vietnam hotels and resorts in Cam Ranh, Phu Quoc, Quy Nhon, Quang Binh, Danang and Lang Co.
Karma in Tuscany. Karma Group, owned by English entrepreneur and hotelier John Spence, has acquired Borgo di Colleoli, a 50-room estate in Tuscany, Italy. The group includes estates alongside Le Preverger on the French Riviera, Pelikanos on the Greek island of Mykonos and the soon to open Chateau de Samary in Carcassonne, France. The Borgo was restored in 2003 under the guidance of the Italian Fine Arts Commission to transform it into a holiday destination.
Aimbridge finds its shaker and salt. Aimbridge Hospitality, Plano, Texas, has announced it will manage the Margaritaville Beach Resort and Marina, a six-acre development on Nassau, Bahamas, set to open nu the end of 2019. The US$250 million hotel will feature 150 guestrooms, 148 oceanfront residences, meeting space for 400, signature Margaritaville food and beverage concepts, water park, entertainment center, kid’s club, spa and more.