- Le Royal Meridien hosts 5th annual staff awards -
Dubai, UAE 28 February 2008: Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa hosted its 5th annual 'Royal Oscars' in a glittering ceremony hosted by the general manager in the ballroom of the Grosvenor House recently. The 'Royal Oscars' are the highlight of the year honouring Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa's associates' achievements and accomplishments for 2007.
The awards are presented to Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa professionals for their commitment, dedication and outstanding contribution in ensuring Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa maintains its reputation as the best leisure resort in the Middle East. The awards consists of 16 categories in total ranging from 'Leisure Star of the Year', 'Housekeeping Star of the Year' to 'Kitchen Service Star of the Year'. The awards are presented by respected guests of honor, and Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa hotel ambassadors[1].
"Each associate nominated has gone beyond the call of duty, and every nominee is a winner in their own right," stated Pam Wilby, general manager of Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa.
"The 'Royal Oscars' are our personal way of recognising the professionalism and enthusiasm with which our colleagues make Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa the fantastic hotel it continues to be. I am extremely proud of our very own 'Royal family'!"
Outstanding star of the evening was Subash Chowdhury who won 'Associate of the Year', 'Housekeeping Star of the Year', and 'The Royal Star of the Year'. Other winners included Ruby Gayoma for 'Guest Support Service Star of the Year', and Manish Bausal who took the gong for 'Kitchen Service Star of the Year', whilst the telephones department was awarded 'Training Department of the Year'
"It is an honour to be able to show our associates our full admiration for their constant hard work and dedication. 65% of Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa guests are repeat visitors and over 300 of them have become ambassadors; this is testament of every individual's hard work and dedication as they make our hotel what it is today.
Recently, we have been recognised as the World's Leading Beach Resort by the World Travel Awards. The reason we are able to win sought after accolades is because we have the most dedicated team there is," concluded Wilby.
Amongst the other winners, Roy Noronha won 'Customer Service Star of the Year', Leena Foregard was 'Trainer of the Year'; whilst 'Admin Support Service Star of the Year' went to Shariq Anwar .
'Manager of the Year' was awarded to Preeth Eranezth, and Sabu Thankachan was awarded 'Lifetime Achievement Award' having dedicated 11 years to Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa. Cajetan Evon was 'Leisure Star of the Year', Noushad Neendra Thodi 'Supervisor of the Year', while both Charisma Cruz and Paul Muthu were recognized as 'Food & Beverage star of the Year''. Finally, the Mi Vida team went home with a gold statue for 'Department of the Year'.
-Ends-
About Le Méridien
Le Méridien brand, currently represented by approximately 120 properties in 52 countries, was acquired by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide in November 2005. With close to 70 percent of its properties located in Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Middle East, Le Méridien provides a strong international complement to Starwood's primarily North American holdings. Plans call for dynamic expansion of Le Méridien-branded hotels within the next five years, concentrating in the U.S., Latin America, and Asia-Pacific, including destinations such as India, Thailand and China. For more information, please visit www.lemeridien.com
About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 900 properties in more than 100 countries and 155,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, Sheraton®, Westin®, Four Points® by Sheraton, W®, Le Méridien® and the recently announced AloftSM and ElementSM Hotels. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com/pressclub
For media information:
Kaja Weller or Iman Issa,
Hill & Knowlton
Tel 971 4 3344930,
fax 971 4 3344923
Email: kaja.weller@hillandknowlton.com or iman.issa@hillandknowlton.com
[1] Le Royal Meridien Ambassadors are valued guests who visit the hotel several times a year and have become part of the "Royal" family.
© Press Release 2008
