glh launches new luxury hotel brand
The Royal Horseguards hotel, which currently operates under the Guoman Hotels brand, will become Clermont London in 2014, after a comprehensive renovation of the group's flagship property.
Clermont’s launch also includes three other developments – Clermont Singapore and Clermont Kuala Lumpur, both opening in 2016; and Clermont residential apartments in Singapore and Malaysia.
glh, formerly known as Guoman Hotel Management, now has plans to launch 30 Clermont Hotels in ‘globally significant locations’ over the next decade.
Video: glh presents Clermont
US-born former banker Mike DeNoma, chief executive of glh, said: “We’re delighted to launch Clermont, our new luxury hotel and private residences brand and the first hotel brand to be announced by glh.
“Clermont is a vibrant entrant to the global luxury hotel market and we are thrilled to announce today iconic new hotels and residences in a number of globally significant locations. The glh ambition is to open hotels in all of the top 30 global cities and today’s announcement reinforces the scale of this ambition.”
Clermont Hotels’ brand chief executive Ed Harding added: “Clermont will set a new global standard for luxury hotels and each iconic property will deliver its luxury hotel experience with consistently warm and personalised service and seamless technology.
“Led by expert General Managers, the hotel staff will have a sophisticated understanding of their global guests and their business and leisure needs; sharing insider knowledge of local culture coupled with privileged access to the wonders and cultural richness of each destination.”
Three new brands
glh is a subsidiary of GuocoLeisure Limited, a Singapore-listed company which has a secondary listing on the New Zealand Exchange. In total, the company owns or operates 8,279 hotel bedrooms in 36 UK hotels, over 4,000 of the bedrooms are located in London.
Clermont is one of three entirely new hotel brands that the group is launching in the space of a year as it aims to deliver the 'best guest-centred experience in the industry'.
"We want to be the first port of call for developers, owners and investors who want a new deal from a hotel management company," added DeNoma. "If you want to change the world, be profit accountable in an autonomous and decisive general management role, give us a call."
BigHospitality also learnt that there are plans to eventually retire the Guoman Hotels brand altogether, following the launch of this new compant. Thistle Hotels, the four-star brand also operated by glh, is expected to remain.
