At the International Elite Forum for Hotel Professional Executive 2010 Millennium awarded '2009 Best International Hotel Group Award'; '2009 Best Business Hotel'; '2009 Most Leadership Award'; and '2009 Management Innovation Awards'.
Beijing, China (April 15, 2010) /ChinaNewswire.com/ — At the International Elite Forum for Hotel Professional Executives 2010 Millennium Hotels and resorts received four prestigious awards.
For its dynamic and outstanding performance in China during the year, Millennium Hotels and Resorts was awarded the '2009 Best International Hotel Group Award'.
"We are indeed extremely proud to receive this award and I'm honoured to accept it on behalf of the group and all our hotels in China. We remain committed to our philosophy of genuine hospitality and take pride in meeting and exceeding the needs of our guests through exceptional customer service and outstanding guest experience," said Charles Lai, the Vice President – Sales and Marketing Greater China, for Millennium Hotels and Resorts.
The Grand Millennium Beijing was honoured with the '2009 Best Business Hotel' award in recognition of exceptional service and the magnificent design and facilities of this luxury hotel.
Leon J. Lee, General Manager of the Grand Millennium Beijing commented: "We are very proud to receive this award and I gladly accept this honour on behalf of our 500 associates. As the flagship hotel of the Millennium & Copthorne Hotels and Resorts in China, Grand Millennium Beijing caters to business and leisure travellers seeking the ultimate in style, culture, art and comfort and it is our goal to be the hotel of choice for discerning travellers in Beijing's booming business district."
The Grand Millennium Hotel Beijing is the newest premier five-star brand of Millennium and Copthorne Hotels plc and is perfectly located in the famous central business district (CBD), the most prosperous business and financial area in Beijing. This premium five-star hotel of 521 grand and spacious guestrooms, offers one of the largest room sizes of Beijing's luxury hotels with a minimum of 45 sqm. It is the only hotel in Beijing with unique and spacious "extended bathrooms" featuring floor to ceiling glass panels. The award winning Yao Chi Cantonese restaurant and CBD International Cuisine ensure that guests will enjoy a true gourmet dining experience. The Havana Bar offers a large selection of international cocktails, Beijing snacks and live jazz music. A large "pillarless" 1000 sqm ballroom and 10 meeting rooms are well equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and serve as ideal venues for meetings, conferences, special events and wedding banquets. The hotel also provides its guests with a luxurious spa and personal wellness centre, as well as an award winning health club with professional gymnasium facilities, aerobic room, sauna, steam rooms and a 25-metre indoor lap pool, a plunge pool and oversized whirlpool.
Since the opening of Grand Millennium Beijing on April 10 2008, the hotel had been working towards the five-star rating. After comprehensive auditing and evaluation by the National Star-Rating Committee, the Grand Millennium Beijing has been recognised with the five-star rating award in April 2010.
For his outstanding leadership and excellent achievements in the China hotel industry, Charles Lai, the Vice President – Sales & Marketing in Greater China of Millennium Hotels and Resorts, received the '2009 Most Leadership Awards'.
As a veteran hotelier, Charles has extensive international working experience in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. He is a seasoned professional with over 28 years of experience in Sales & Marketing, Food & Beverage, Hotel Operations, Brand Representation and Global Distribution. The most recent project that Charles was involved in for Millennium Hotels and Resorts before China position was to develop a new brand for the group: Studio M Hotel, an urban, sleek & lifestyle hotel which cater for "Social Business Travellers".
In recognition of outstanding leadership, excellent achievements and innovative management concept in the Beijing hospitality market, Leon J. Lee, the General Manager of Grand Millennium Beijing, received the '2009 Management Innovation Awards' by Hotel Professional Executive trade magazine.
Leon J. Lee came to Grand Millennium Beijing with extensive China experience, beginning in 1985 as the Resident Manager of the Hua Ting Sheraton Hotel in Shanghai. After overseeing the successful opening of the Tianjin Sheraton as General Manager, Leon made the transition to VP Human Resources for Sheraton Asia-Pacific Region in Hong Kong before returning once again to operations in hotels in Beijing and the United States. He left Sheraton in 1993 and returned to China as General Manager of New World's China Hotel in Guangzhou until he was once again enticed to head up the Human Resources for Westin Asia Pacific Region based in Singapore. When Westin and Sheraton merged to become Starwood he continued in his HR role. In 2001, Leon joined Corporate Intercontinental Hotels Corporate Office in Singapore prior to joining Venetian Sands Casino in Macau in 2003 and led the HR team to open the Casino on May 19, 2004.
The Hotel Executive Awards is an annual event organised by the Hotel Professional Executive trade magazine in conjunction with local and International sponsors, to honour leading hoteliers and tourism experts for their outstanding contribution to the deluxe hotel sector and overall service excellence in the tourism industry.
Corporate Profile
Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc owns and operates more than 100 globally, ranking it among the largest owned and managed hotel groups in the world.
Millennium Hotels and Resorts was established as a global brand by Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc to provide a common marketing and operating platform across its entire portfolio. Founded on the philosophy of genuine hospitality, we take pride in meeting and exceeding the needs of our business and leisure travellers. The strategic locality of our properties in gateway cities and key business districts across Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East, and North America means wherever you are in the world, one of our group hotels is never too far away. Our traditional friendly service and superb accommodation make our hotels the perfect address from which to conduct your business or indulge yourself while on holiday.
This dynamic hospitality group manages its network of properties through four key global brands: Grand Millennium, Millennium, Copthorne and Kingsgate.
The Group's flagship brand, Grand Millennium, epitomise the very best in elegance and luxury with outstanding decor, world class facilities and the ultimate in personalised, gracious service.
For more information, please visit www.millenniumhotels.com