22 • ITB BERLIN NEWS
22 • ITB BERLIN NEWS • THURSDAY 19 TH MARCH 2020www.itb-berlin-news.com
I SPECIAL FEATURE I LUXURY ACCOMMODATION & TRAVEL IROMANCE ANDLUXURY INCROATIA2019 was the busiest year everfor Hilton Luxury Group, with theopening of 11 new properties. Weasked Dino Michael, recently namedas Global Head, Waldorf AstoriaHotels & Resorts and Conrad Hotels& Resorts, to tell us more.We’ve had some key openings this past year,with Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal,Waldorf Astoria Dubai International FinancialCentre and Waldorf Astoria MaldivesIthaafushi, along with six Conrad openingsincluding Conrad New York Midtown, ConradWashington, DC and four more openings inChina. So, for us, 2019 has been an exceptionalyear.What is changing in the way you do businessand the way people perceive your properties?The landscape is becoming very crowded witha lot of great operators; a lot of competition.It is always possible to build a great hotel, butyou need to get the software right, you needto get the service right, and get the personalDino MichaelGlobal Head,Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resortsand Conrad Hotels & ResortsWaldorf Astoria, LXR andConrad take bigger stridesWith record new openings, the top-endbrands are driving Hilton to new highsconnection right. In luxury, technology lives tomake the stay easier, without friction, but thathuman touch continues. We put a lot of focuson culture, on development, on making sure ourteam members understand the arriving gueststo offer an anticipatory yet graceful servicethat is truly unrivalled. Each Waldorf Astoriaproperty has dedicated Personal Conciergesthat work tirelessly to anticipate our guests’needs to make their stay frictionless and highlypersonalised.Could you tell me a little more about your newproperty in Mexico?The new Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregalis situated on Cabo San Lucas’ most covetedparcel of land – an extraordinary, 24-acresite at the southernmost tip of Mexico’s BajaCalifornia Peninsula. The conversion of WaldorfAstoria Los Cabos Pedregal reflects HiltonLuxury Group’s commitment to expand ourportfolio and bring our True Waldorf Serviceto the world’s most sought-after and inspiringdestinations. Waldorf Astoria Los CabosPedregal debuts as the premier offering in theregion, with an array of best-in-class facilitiesand immersive experiencesLess than a year since its April 2019opening, the Grand Park Hotel Rovinjin Croatia has joined The LeadingHotels of the World.Rovinj, in Istria, is one of Croatia's most romanticspots, and its physical beauty is exhilarating. Thepastel houses crammed onto a peninsula catchthe sunlight during the day and shimmer withlight at night. The Venetian bell tower of the StEuphemia Cathedral extends like a punctuationpoint to the sky.The Grand Park Hotel Rovinj is part of the Maistrahospitality group, which also includes the MonteMulini Hotel in Rovinj. Known for its exclusiveness,the Monte Mulini Hotel became a member of theLHW in 2012.“The membership in The Leading Hotels of theWorld, which is considered to be a guaranteeof quality for luxury hotels, is yet anotherconfirmation of the exceptional status theGrand Park Hotel enjoys," said Tomislav Popović,Maistra's CEO.Worth the equivalent of about 0 million, thehotel represents the largest single investment bythe tourism business subdivision of Adris Group,which owns Maistra.The hotel is is situated across from the old town ofRovinj, with a view of the Church of St Euphemiaand the island of St Catherine.There are 209 rooms and suites in the six-storeyvenue, where guests can enjoy restaurants, bars, awellness and spa centre, and a plaza that includesnumerous shopsThe Grand Park Hotel Rovinj's stunning pool viewITB BERLIN NEWS • THURSDAY 19 TH MARCH 2020 • 23
