Hotelier of tHe World aWards
Independent nomInees
Hans Bruland
Vice president and general manager , The Hay-Adams Washington , D . C .
Since being named vice president of Washington , D . C .’ s The Hay Adams in 2001 , Hans Bruland has maintained an internationally renowned culture at the Italian Renaissance-style former mansion . Today , the hotel attracts an upscale clientele with its luxurious guestrooms , featuring custom Italian linens and ornate finishes , and its dining options , including the Lafayette Room .
A native of Germany , Bruland moved to Washington , D . C ., to be the general manager of the Westin hotel . In 1995 , he headed the restructuring of the Grand Hotel in Vienna and consulted for Ali Nippon Airways ’ Guam and San Francisco properties .
Bruland currently serves on the board of several organizations in Washington , D . C ., including the Washington Performing Arts and the Golden Triangle Business Improvement District . He is also a member of the Washington Board of Trade , the German American Business Council , Leadership Greater Washington and the Hotel Association of Washington , D . C .
andrea KracHt
Owner , Hotel Baur au Lac Zurich
Swiss-born Andrea Kracht is a sixth-generation member of the owner family and delegate of the board of directors of the Hotel Baur au Lac and Baur au Lac Vins in Zurich .
Since 1990 , Kracht has been at the helm of his family ’ s 5-star business and has helped maintain it as one of the world ’ s most luxurious resorts . In 2009 , Kracht oversaw the hotel ’ s US $ 41 million renovation , which included revamping its restaurants , guestrooms and suites .
In addition to his role at Hotel Baur au Lac , Kracht has risen up the ranks of the executive committee at The Leading Hotels of the World , holding several positions including vice chairman and chairman . Kracht also serves on Leading Hotels ’ compensation committee and has served on the audit committee as well as the quality committee of leading quality assurance .
After completing his studies at the École hôtelière de Lausanne , Kracht worked at a variety of hotels including Badrutt ’ s Palace Hotel ; Hotel Hermitage ; Claridge ’ s London ; Hotel Ritz , Paris ; The Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas ; Hotel Plaza-Athénéé ; and the Grand Bay Hotel in New York . Kracht also holds a master ’ s degree in viticulture and oenology from the University of Applied Sciences Changins in Switzerland .
12 HOTELS April 2015 www . hotelsmag . com