glh Announcing the launch of global hotel company Watch our video Press Releases About Us Contact Us Press Releases About Us Contact Us Top Press Releases 03 February, 2014 glh. launches free one-click Wi-Fi for hotel guests glh. implements fast, free unlimited BT Wi-fi after independent research found that Wi-Fi is as important to hotel guests as a good night’s sleep (London, 03 February 2014) glh., the London-based global hotel subsidiary of the Singapore-listed GuocoLeisure Group, has teamed up with BT Wi-fi to launch its fast, free unlimited and one click to connect Wi-Fi service for all guests and visitors across glh. properties (see Notes to Editors). Demand for Wi-Fi in hotels is rising, with Thistle guests using over 1 billion minutes of Wi-Fi in 2013. A report by BDRC Continental found that guests consider free Wi-Fi as important as a good night’s sleep. Combined with the rapid explosion in smartphones use, predicted to reach 2.4bn by 2015, the role of reliable Wi-Fi has never been more crucial to hotel guests. As an owner/operator, glh. has taken the lead in upgrading its Wi-Fi service becoming BTs biggest user of free wi-fi. glh. now offer free fast and unlimited Wi-Fi in all bedrooms, lobby areas and meetings to any visitors to glh. hotels. Mike DeNoma, CEO of glh. said: “No registrations, no limitations and no fine print, just fast, free unlimited BT Wi-fi. Investing in cutting edge BT technology to ensure that anyone visiting our hotels has access to free, fast, and one-click to connect Wi-Fi is a long-term investment in customer loyalty. Strong, unlimited Wi-Fi across our properties is what keeps our customers connected.” “As the first suppliers of public Wi-Fi in the UK over ten years ago, BT was the ideal partner for glh. in this initiative. BT Wi-fi is the largest Wi-Fi network in the UK with a rich history of driving innovation in the world of technology. BT understands the intricate challenges of installing Wi-Fi in a heritage hotel building as opposed to a modern office building. Together with BT Wi-fi we have installed [2800] antennae across our hotel portfolio - a significant investment in providing a great service to all our customers.” Erik Raphael, CEO of BT Wi-fi said: “The rise in popularity of smartphones and Wi-Fi enabled devices means that consumers want to be able to get online anywhere. glh. is revolutionising the modern hotel industry and technology will continue to play a key part in differentiating the discerning hotel guest’s experience. We’re delighted to be playing a fundamental role in improving the experience for their customers.” Contacts glh. Chris King Group Head of PR +44 (0)79 7672 9018 chris.king@glhhotels.com http://www.glhhotels.com BT Kina Kara BT Group Newsroom +44 (0)20 7356 5369 kina.kara@bt.com Maitland James Devas +44 (0)78 8581 3114 jdevas@maitland.co.uk Emma Burdett +44 (0)20 7379 5151 eburdett@maitland.co.uk Notes to Editors glh. owns the Thistle brand across the UK, and in London the Group own owns The Tower, Charing Cross, The Grosvenor Hotel (Victoria), The Royal Horseguards and The Cumberland. Last year glh. announced 2 new brands – Clermont (5*) and Amba (4*) – as well as two new significant hotels in Malaysia and Singapore. glh. is the largest owner-operator hotel company in London with over 4,000 hotel rooms. In total glh. has 8,279 bedrooms 337 meeting rooms across 36 Hotels in the UK. Clermont Singapore will form part of the integrated mixed-use development Tanjong Pagar Centre, Singapore’s tallest building at 290 metres, due to open in 2016. Clermont Kuala Lumpur will be situated within the iconic Damansara City on a prime freehold site in Damansara Heights, part of a mixed development to open in 2016 Mike DeNoma, CEO glh. An American citizen, Mike DeNoma moved to the UK to take up his new position in 2012. Before joining glh. Mike DeNoma was chairman, president and chief executive of Chinatrust Commercial Bank, one of Asia's first international Chinese financial institutions. Previously, from 1999 to 2009, DeNoma was chief executive of the Global Consumer Bank at Standard Chartered. Earlier in his career he was the founder and chief executive of two nationwide companies in China and held senior executive positions with Hutchison Whampoa, Citibank and PepsiCo after starting his career at Procter & Gamble. A devoted family man and keen ultramarathon runner, DeNoma regularly competes in athletic challenges to raise money for disadvantaged children. [Full biog and photographs available on request] Erik Raphael, Director BT Consumer devices and BT Wi-fi Erik joined BT Wi-fi as Director in December 2013. Immediately prior to this he was Director of BT Consumer Devices, which includes the BT Home Hub, BT TV STB and BT home connectivity and landline phone portfolio. He now combines the responsibility for BT Consumer Devices with BT Wi-fi. BT Wi-fi is the largest wi-fi network in the UK with over 5 million hotspots including at premium partners such as Starbucks, glh, Hilton Hotels, GAME, John Lewis and Fenwick. BT Wi-fi is also a fundamental part of the BT broadband product offering with every BT Broadband customer getting free unlimited access to these hotspots plus an additional 7m overseas through BT’s partnership with fon. Finally, BT Wi-fi also delivers wi-fi service to a number of major mobile network providers to complement their existing network, and manages a series of in and out bound roaming agreements with carriers from across the world. Erik is a former Philips consumer electronics marketer with a wealth of experience across marketing and commercial in the UK, China and Holland before joining BT in 2008. 23 October, 2013 glh. announces the launch of a new global 4- star hotel brand: Amba (London, 23 October 2013) glh., the London-based global hotel subsidiary of the Singapore-listed GuocoLeisure Group, today announces the launch of a new contemporary 4-star hotel brand, Amba. Read More Amba will be Europe’s largest four-star hotel brand launch with 2088 rooms by 2015 Amba is launching with four hotels, situated just a few paces from world famous landmarks, in London’s most prestigious locations: Marble Arch, Tower Bridge, Charing Cross and Buckingham Palace Road. glh. will be investing a further £70 million into the chosen four-star hotels The launch is driven by our extensive and industry shaping market research which shows there is a significant opportunity to develop the four star market The design of Amba's new hotel rooms has been driven by the voice of the global customer At Amba everything works – from intuitive service to the fastest, free, reliable Wi-Fi available - Amba provides the best environment to refresh and recharge glh. is targeting 30 key cities in the UK for the Amba brand and will expand the brand internationally in China, the USA and Europe across the best locations Amba, a global owner and operator of contemporary hotels, will be Europe’s largest four- star brand launch with 2088 rooms in London by 2015. glh. will invest a further £70 million into the chosen four-star hotels to provide the best environment for the discerning business and leisure traveller*. Amba is launching with four hotels, situated just a few paces from world famous landmarks, in London’s most prestigious locations: Marble Arch, Tower Bridge, Charing Cross and Buckingham Palace Road. The four hotels will re-open following major refurbishments, with Buckingham Palace Road the first Amba hotel to launch in June 2014. The launch of Amba is driven by extensive market research which shows there is a significant opportunity to address unmet client needs in the four-star sector; better and more personalised service, seamless technology that actually works and authentic experiences in the best locations around the world. At Amba, every room has been designed by the voice of the global customer and the highly knowledgeable staff - empowered by glh’s new entrepreneurial management model - will unearth hidden gems like a local and deliver the best guest-centred experience in the industry. Amba sees technology as an enabler and every hotel in the brand is underpinned by seamless technology, from a Smart TV in every room to the behind-the-scenes operations that ensure staying in an Amba is an effortless experience. Wi-Fi isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. That’s why Amba has invested in the fastest, free, reliable Wi-Fi for all guests. Amba will attract the global conference market using its fantastic locations across London combined with seamless technology to deliver the best conference experience available in the world. The ambition is to grow the Amba brand in the UK to around 30 properties with further growth internationally in China, Malaysia, and the USA. Commenting on today’s announcement Mike DeNoma, CEO of glh, said: "We're excited to launch Amba a new hotel brand that signifies our intent and ambition to unlock human potential and give property owners and developers a new deal in the four-star market. We want to be the first port of call for developers, owners and investors who want a new deal from a hotel management company." Commenting on today’s announcement Colin Roy, Chief Marketing Officer, said: "Four-star hospitality can be impersonal and lack differentiation. The launch of Amba signifies a step change in the market. An Amba hotel will combine a fantastic location with genuine warmth, intuitive service and technology to ensure that both business and leisure travellers get the most out of their stay. From booking to check out, we will endeavour to offer our guests a more personal and authentic service which will leave them feeling refreshed and recharged." Contact glh. Chris King Group Head of PR +44 (0)79 7672 9018 chris.king@glhhotels.com Maitland James Devas +44 (0)78 8581 3114 jdevas@maitland.co.uk Emma Burdett +44 (0)20 7379 5151 eburdett@maitland.co.uk KAPER Natalie Hall Direct: +44 (0)20 3301 2197 Mobile: +44 (0)7879 672905 natalie@kaper.uk.com Notes to Editors glh. refers to GLH Hotels Management (UK) Limited, the new name of Guoman Hotel Management (UK) Limited, a subsidiary of GuocoLeisure Limited. *Upper full service, as defined by BDRC. We expect 60% of our guests Monday to Friday to be business travellers. Our customer research tells us that many travellers find the 4-star experience impersonal. Amba will have 2088 rooms in London glh. is the largest owner-operator hotel company in London with over 4,000 hotel rooms. In total glh. has 8,279 bedrooms 337 meeting rooms across 36 Hotels in the UK. 1 October, 2013 glh. announces the launch of Clermont: a new global luxury hotel and private residences brand (London, 1 October 2013) glh., the London-based global hotel subsidiary of the Singapore-listed GuocoLeisure Group, today announces the launch of a new luxury hotel and private residences brand, Clermont. Read More Clermont, a new luxury hotel and residences brand, is launching with three developments on two continents with a gross development value of US$3.2bn (£2.1bn). The launch comprises a conversion of an already owned hotel in London and two new management contracts in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur: Clermont London – The Royal Horseguards will become ‘Clermont London' in 2014, after comprehensive renovation, bringing to life its Victorian splendour. Clermont Singapore – will form part of the integrated mixed-use development Tanjong Pagar Centre, Singapore's tallest building at 290 metres, due to open in 2016. Clermont Kuala Lumpur – will be situated within the iconic Damansara City on a prime freehold site in Damansara Heights, part of a mixed development to open in 2016 Clermont Residences – The new developments in Singapore and Malaysia will feature luxury residential apartments (approximately 200 in Singapore; 370 in Kuala Lumpur) serviced by the adjoining Clermont hotel. glh.'s strategy is to launch 30 Clermont hotels in globally significant locations over the next decade. This announcement demonstrates glh.'s long-term commitment to changing the status quo and redefining luxury across the industry by providing a truly personalised experience. The Royal Horseguards, which will be rebranded 'Clermont London', is a grand five-star hotel on the north bank of the River Thames. It is situated opposite the London Eye, between Trafalgar Square and the Houses of Parliament and boasts a proud heritage, featuring extensive sensitively refurbished Victorian splendour. The Royal Horseguards Hotel will be comprehensively renovated before re-opening as a Clermont Hotel in 2014. Clermont Singapore will form part of Tanjong Pagar Centre, a large-scale integrated development designed by renowned architects Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP. In addition to the hotel, the new 1.7-million square foot mixed use development will comprise prestigious residential apartments, a grade A office block, premier retail space and a sheltered event space. At 290 metres, the tower of Tanjong Pagar Centre will become Singapore's tallest building. Tanjong Pagar Centre is located in the Central Business District of Singapore and directly linked to the Tanjong Pagar MRT station, one of the busiest mass transit stations in the city state. Clermont Kuala Lumpur is situated within the iconic Damansara City on a prime site in Damansara Heights, and is part of a mixed development project which includes two grade A office towers, two luxury residential towers and a lifestyle mall. The new developments in Singapore and Malaysia will feature luxury residential apartments: approximately 200 in Singapore and 370 in Kuala Lumpur. These opulent homes will be marketed and sold as private dwellings by the developer and will enjoy bespoke services delivered by the adjoining luxury Clermont hotel. The residential component at Tanjong Pagar Centre, initially named TP180, will be rebranded as Clermont Residence. It will be the tallest residences in Singapore; starting at 180 metres and reaching up to 290 metres, and will offer unparalleled sea and city views. It will also offer four private amenity decks for the exclusive use of residents. The award-winning residential towers at Damansara City will offer an unrivalled dimension of luxury and sophistication. Apart from the facilities of the luxury Clermont Kuala Lumpur, the apartment owners will enjoy an Olympic-length pool, aqua gymnasium, function rooms and private dining rooms where residents may host private events and entertain guests. The glh. global owner-operator strategy focuses on the major global cities with the ambition of delivering the best guest-centred experience in the hospitality industry. The company will underpin this excellence with the use of advanced customer facing technology, infrastructure and decision science. The mix of owned hotels and management contracts ensures delivery of luxury experiences that command a premium from loyal guests and can be delivered on terms that represent fairness to the owner and to glh.. Commenting on today's launch Mike DeNoma, CEO 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". Ed Harding, Brand CEO of Clermont Hotels commented: "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" Contact glh. Chris King Group Head of PR +44 (0)79 7672 9018 chris.king@glhhotels.com Maitland James Devas +44 (0)78 8581 3114 jdevas@maitland.co.uk Emma Burdett +44 (0)20 7379 5151 eburdett@maitland.co.uk Neville McCarthy Associates Rosie Nicholls Group Head of PR +44 (0)20 7940 2900 rosie@nevillemccarthy.com Notes to Editors glh. owns the Thistle brand across the UK, and in London the Group own owns The Tower, Charing Cross, The Grosvenor Hotel (Victoria), The Royal Horseguards and The Cumberland. Last year glh. announced 2 new brands – Clermont (5*) and Amba (4*) – as well as two new significant hotels in Malaysia and Singapore. glh. is the largest owner-operator hotel company in London with over 4,000 hotel rooms. In total glh. has 8,279 bedrooms 337 meeting rooms across 36 Hotels in the UK. Clermont Singapore will form part of the integrated mixed-use development Tanjong Pagar Centre, Singapore’s tallest building at 290 metres, due to open in 2016. Clermont Kuala Lumpur will be situated within the iconic Damansara City on a prime freehold site in Damansara Heights, part of a mixed development to open in 2016 Mike DeNoma, CEO glh. An American citizen, Mike DeNoma moved to the UK to take up his new position in 2012. Before joining glh. Mike DeNoma was chairman, president and chief executive of Chinatrust Commercial Bank, one of Asia's first international Chinese financial institutions. Previously, from 1999 to 2009, DeNoma was chief executive of the Global Consumer Bank at Standard Chartered. Earlier in his career he was the founder and chief executive of two nationwide companies in China and held senior executive positions with Hutchison Whampoa, Citibank and PepsiCo after starting his career at Procter & Gamble. A devoted family man and keen ultramarathon runner, DeNoma regularly competes in athletic challenges to raise money for disadvantaged children. [Full biog and photographs available on request] 11 June, 2013 Launch of global hotel company glh. – London's largest owner-operator challenging the status quo (London, 11 June 2013) GuocoLeisure Limited, a Singapore-listed company with a secondary listing on the New Zealand Exchange, announces today the launch of a major global hotel company, glh. Read More The launch of glh. is driven by CEO Mike DeNoma, who since joining the business 12 months ago, has developed with his management team a new strategic direction for the company using his considerable experience of transforming international businesses in several industries. The launch of glh. signals serious intent and long term ambition to lead the transformation of the company. glh. has carried out extensive market research into what affects decision-making for owners and guests which underpins our new approach. The new business model will provide an alternative to the current hotel industry business model by giving autonomy to our individual hotels: A new deal for property owners and developers: glh. is offering more flexible terms and conditions to property owners and developers which challenge the status quo and readdress the risk/reward balance within the industry. An entrepreneurial approach to general management: While the industry rushes to take even more decision making out of the hotels, glh. is moving to put even more back in – giving autonomy to our individual hotels and unlocking the great potential of our General Management team. Increasing need to respond to the data driven incursions of the online players: glh. will set out to transform the current model by using big data to differentiate the guest experience. Launch of three new hotel brands over the next 12 months: In addition to developing a new operating model glh. will be announcing the launch of three new hotel brands over the coming 12 months, the first of which will be a luxury brand in July 2013. The glh. global owner-operator strategy focuses on the 100 major global cities with the ten year ambition to deliver the best guest centred experience in the industry. The company is underpinning this with the use of advanced customer facing technology, infrastructure and decision science. Commenting on today's launch Mike DeNoma, said: "We're delighted to launch glh. a new hotel company that signifies our intent and ambition to unlock human potential and give property owners and developers a new deal. We want to be the first port of call for developers, owners and investors who want a new deal from a hotel management company." Mike added: "If you want to change the world, be profit accountable in an autonomous and decisive general management role, give us a call." Contact glh. Chris King Group Head of PR +44 (0)79 7672 9018 chris.king@glhhotels.com Colin Roy Chief Marketing Officer colin.roy@glhhotels.com Mark Ostridge Group Property Director mark.ostridge@glhhotels.com Maitland James Devas +44 (0)78 8581 3114 jdevas@maitland.co.uk Emma Burdett +44 (0)20 7379 5151 eburdett@maitland.co.uk Press Releases About Us Contact Us Top About Us glh. is London's largest owner-operator hotel company in London with over 4,000 hotel rooms. The aim of glh. is to put an entrepreneurial edge back into the individual hotels and give owners and developers a ‘New Deal'. Our global owner-operator strategy focuses on the 100 global cities with a 10 year ambition to become the world's best managed hospitality company, delivering the best guest centred experience in the industry. In addition to developing a new operating model we will be announcing the launch of three new hotel brands over the period of 12 months, the first of which will be a luxury brand in October 2013. glh. has carried out extensive market research into what affects decision-making for owners and guests which underpins our new approach. The new business model will provide an alternative to the current hotel industry business model by giving autonomy to our individual hotels: A new deal for property owners and developers: glh. is offering more flexible terms and conditions to property owners and developers which challenge the status quo and readdress the risk/reward balance within the industry. An entrepreneurial approach to general management: While the industry rushes to take even more decision making out of the hotels, glh.. is moving to put even more back in – giving autonomy to our individual hotels and unlocking the great potential of our General Management team. Increasing need to respond to the data driven incursions of the online players: glh. will set out to transform the industry model by using big data to differentiate the guest experience. Press Releases About Us Contact Us Top Contact Us glh. is the largest owner-operator hotel company in London with over 4,000 hotel rooms. Address GLH Hotels Management (UK) Ltd 2nd Floor, Stephenson House 75 Hampstead Road London, NW1 2PL View map Telephone +44 (0)20 7554 3890 Fax +44 (0)84 5040 5768 Copyright © 2013 GLH Hotels Limited. All rights reserved Privacy Policy