Ascott News
Your Say
Lesa Sass at
Somerset Greenways Chennai
A look at what’s happening in
Ascott around the world
China Growth Gains Momentum
in Hong Kong and Beijing
Ascott has secured contracts
to manage three more properties in Hong Kong and Beijing.
The company’s fifth property in Hong Kong: Hotel
Pravo Hong Kong (pictured
above) opened in March.
In Beijing, Citadines Fangshan Beijing and Changyang
World Serviced Residence
Beijing (pictured right) will
open through the strategic
alliance formed with property
developer Vanke last year.
Ascott has been rapidly
expanding in China through
management contracts,
investments and strategic alliances, doubling the
number of apartment units
in China within five years.
Kevin Goh, Ascott’s managing director for North Asia
said, “There are tremendous
opportunities for Ascott to
expand in gateway cities such
as Beijing and Hong Kong
where our serviced residences have been performing
well. Beijing and Hong Kong
continue to have high demand
34 Ascott LIVING
for accommodation from the
many Fortune 500 companies,
major Chinese corporations
and embassies. With excellent locations and Ascott’s
award-winning hospitality, our
new properties will continue to
provide the warmth of home
while catering to the different lifestyles of expatriates,
travellers and their families.”
1,000
In the last quarter of 2014
alone, Ascott secured five
serviced residences with
over 1,000 apartment
units in four cities.
Ascott Strengthens
Global Leadership
Cyberjaya, Sri Racha and Hai
Phong are all to welcome
their very first internationally
branded serviced residences,
with the arrival of Ascott.
Ascott’s first foray into
Malaysia’s renowned multimedia super corridor, the 203-unit
Citadines DPulze Cyberjaya
will mark the company’s fifth
property to open in Malaysia.
At the same time, the opening
of the Citadines Grand Central
Sri Racha will bring Ascott’s
properties in Thailand to 10.
The opening of Somerset Central TD Hai Phong City takes
the company’s properties to
nine operating in Vietnam.
Lee Chee Koon, Ascott’s chief
executive officer, said: “Last
year, we opened 17 properties
and added 28 properties with
over 4,800 apartment units
to our global portfolio. Besides
expanding through acquisitions, management contracts
and leases, we secured our first
franchises in Vientiane and
Bali. We also formed strategic
alliances in China and Australia
to accelerate Ascott’s growth.
“In 2015, there will be no let
up in our expansion. We are
on track to achieve our target
of 40,000 apartment units
worldwide by end this year and
aim to have 80,000 units by
2020.”
A New Arrival
in Istanbul
Turkey is to see its first Ascott
serviced residence, with the
arrival of Somerset Maslak
Istanbul. The company’s
entry into Turkey will expand
its footprint to 90 cities.
Scheduled to open next year,
the 159-unit Somerset Maslak
Istanbul will be part of an integrated development, Maslak
1453, which comprises a shopping promenade and commercial and recreational facilities.
Ascott has been awarded the
management contract for the
property by real estate company Maslak Konaklama, an
affiliate of the Saudi-based Abduljawad Group of Companies.
We came to Chennai so my husband could start an
upgrade office for the IT company he works for. After
many hours of research on the best place for us to
live, we decided on Somerset. The building security,
the pictures of the nice apartments and the overall
beauty of the property drew us in.
We have been travelling back and forth to India
for the past year and a half. I’ve really enjoyed learning local recipes and
experimenting with spices. I like to share my ideas on my healthy living
Facebook page: The Sassy Gourmet. I became friends with a neighbour
who shares the same love of health and cooking, and she suggested to
the management that I could run a demonstration. I was very nervous my
first time but I enjoyed it immensely.
The staff here is what makes my stay so wonderful. I am trying to
decide what department I like the best but it’s like trying to decide which
is your favourite child! They are all so wonderful but in different ways. I
am completely and totally spoiled living here. It’s hard for me to leave to
go home. The attention to detail and the customer service training that
goes above and beyond makes the residence so appealing.
Everyone I deal with here is outstanding. I had an experience a few
weeks ago when my favourite street dog was seriously injured. I ran into
the building frantic, asking Nisha at reception where I could take him
to get medical attention. She sprang into action and got straight on the
phone, and within minutes the head of security was in the lobby speaking
to me about it.
He told me that he would make sure the dog was cared for and I would
not have to pay for it, although I would have been happy to. This was on
a Saturday night and by breakfast time on Sunday morning, the dog had
been treated. I cannot even begin t