What ’ s Hot : PEOPLE
JOHN LAING MARKUS ENGEL
JOHN LAING & MARKUS ENGEL
URBAN RESORTS , SHANGHAI
WHAT MAKES THEM HOT : The Puli in Shanghai has garnered a lot of attention and acclaim for the duo since opening in 2009 . Engel ’ s and Laing ’ s aim is to position hotels at the forefront of the Chinese hospitality industry by combining international service standards with a “ contextual feel ” based on location .
WHAT THEY ARE WORKING ON NOW : The 332-room Puyu Hotel and Spa will open in the first quarter of 2013 in Wuhan , China . Designed by Layan from Melbourne , it will have Cantonese , Italian and allday-dining restaurants , as well as two bars , a spa and banquet facilities for up to 800 people .
WHAT ’ S NEXT : In China , they are developing 5-star properties in Beijing , Shaoxing , Zhujiajiao , Nanjing , Xiamen and Hangzhou , and are in negotiations for properties in Chengdu and Chongqing . They also have a project in Kuala Lumpur and are in the early stages of a mixed-use project in Vietnam ( DongMo Lake , 45 minutes outside of Hanoi ).
MARC DARDENNE
CEO , PATINA HOTELS & RESORTS , SINGAPORE
WHY HE IS HOT : The man who was instrumental in launching Armani Hotels in Dubai and Milan , as well as the Address Hotels + Resorts brand in Dubai for Emaar Properties , joined Pontiac Land in Singapore earlier this year to launch a luxury lifestyle brand called Patina . Still mum on details , the first 115-key hotel with 34 residences is supposed to be part of a S $ 500 million ( US $ 400.9 million ) conversion of the Capitol in Singapore , right next to the Swissotel , the Stamford .
WHAT HE IS WORKING ON NOW : Creating the Patina brand standards . The brand will focus on developing a strong sense of place , distinctive architecture and sophisticated tailored experiences . Highlights will include spa-like baths and over-the-top service where everyone is empowered to assist with every guest need .
WHAT ’ S NEXT : Dardenne is keen to expand into China , particularly Shanghai , and has also set his sights on Thailand , Hong Kong , Europe and even the United States . Via management contract , he wants to grow Patina to about 30 hotels within 10 years .
24 HOTELS October 2012 www . hotelsmag . com