offerendum

bhrubin

offerendum

vuittonsofstyle

Yes, it's been on a drawing board for a few years now - the first hotel venture for a British owner based in Hong Kong, who builds super yachts.
He has empoyed some interesting people along the way, including some from the old Amanresorts opening team.
The original idea was for the whole island to be rented, but I hear that individual guests are now welcome, too.
The quality of the build is superb and everything is very eco-conscious.
If they get the service right, it could be very special.

stimpy

Well you know that a company called Marriott has taken over this hotel, right?

bhrubin

MacMyDay

Uh oh. My travel has been looking rather light this year.

stimpy

Marriott was also in charge when I had a great stay at this hotel one year ago. But give them time and they can ruin anything. What happens is that they slowly impose their standards. Different hotel managers react differently. Some can manage to keep the hotel running well, some have difficulties. Some just give up, refuse to accept the new rules and wait to get replaced. Perhaps that is what has happened in Florence if we take the post of offerendum to heart. It will be good to hear future reports or go ourselves to see.

I think it should be clear that independent hotels can always deliver the better experience than a global chain hotel. Starwood was a very good chain. Marriott might not be able to handle the size and breadth of their brands.

offerendum

chinmoylad

Thanks! It sure does look good - forcing a USD 100,000/night private island for a 48 person accommodation does seem a bit much though; so would be great if they go down the individual guest route. Plus offers a great (better?) alternative to Amanpulo if so.

chinmoylad

See you in Hong Kong then

Kagehitokiri

stimpy, i would argue 'brand concept' is 'over' for luxury hotels. although aman will remain unique in terms of property scale unless they open properties with many more rooms.

preferences and experiences re independent or brand varies here. personally, i've concluded i like properties that do not resemble hotels. properties also require owner investment.

three 1BR
two 2BR
one 4BR
(one is owner's residence?)
12 rooms
1 suite

seems 15 acres, vs 200+ acre pulo

stimpy

My argument as well. Generalizing of course. There can be, and are, some very good brand luxury hotels amongst FS, MO, RC, StR, etc. But a business like Marriott has succeeded throughout the years by forcing hotels to follow their model. That model cannot really deliver a better hotel experience than a good creative hotel GM and owner can.

That's not to say that those brands I referenced are cookie cutter. You cannot compare the MO Bangkok with any other MO in the world, thank goodness.

Kagehitokiri

luxury hotel brands want to grow, they have abandoned any focus on brand consistency.

this is because ownership of almost all brands has changed since golden era. (no profits?)

many FTers like 'inclusions' which to me do not really involve brand/corporate consistency.

all that matters is the property. brand no longer offers much information.

many luxury brand regulars like certain things, even including feel/etc.

some dont care about size, scale, facilities, etc. others do. just varies.

stimpy

I know for a fact that is not the case with Marriott. Ask any GM of a Marriott property. But when I talk about consistency, it is not visual style I am referring to. But how the hotel runs its business.