David Katermopoulos Appointed General Manager Of Twelve At Hengshan

David Katermopoulos

　　His appointment follows pre-opening responsibility for the 171-room villa-style ‘modern Chinoiserie’ retreat which opens in November 2012 on Hengshan Road, one of the most historic and romantic areas of Shanghai.

　　Mr. Katemopoulos launched his hospitality career in 1984 in Hong Kong with the Shangri La Group as Director of Sales.

　　From 1990-2001 he was with the Peninsula Group, rising to Director of Sales and Marketing.

　　He joined Starwood Hotels & Resorts in 2001 for the pre-opening of the St. Regis Hotel in Pudong (now The Hongta Hotel, Shanghai), and was subsequently appointed General Manager of Sheraton Haikou Resort, St. Regis Macao and Le Méridien Xiamen.

　　Over the past decade with the group he has been applauded as Best Hotel General Manager 2006 in China’s coveted Golden-Pillow Awards, along with group recognition for best pre-opening hotel, and Starwood Asia Pacific’s Sales and Marketing Award.

　　The new General Manager of Twelve at Hengshan, A Luxury Collection Hotel was educated at Lincoln University, with post-graduate studies including management development at the Poon Kam Kai Institute of Management with Hong Kong University, and Marketing Planning with Cornell University.

　　Among professional associations, he is a member of SKAL Hong Kong and was formerly vice chairman of the Haikou Hotel Association. He also served as an instructor for the American Hotel and Motel Association.

　　At Twelve at Hengshan, he is offering guests “a well deserved respite and true ‘home away from home’ oasis from the bustling metropolis” in an elegant villa-style hideaway complete with ‘secret garden’ along an historic tree-lined avenue known as the “Champs–Elysees of the East”.

　　Collaborating international designers included Mario Botta, whose romantic designer flourishes included the Zen-inspired ‘Secret Garden’, and New York interior designer Yabu Pushelberg, blending traditional Chinese hospitality with contemporary lifestyle.

　　“This particular location was selected for its rich historical background and its proximity to trendy boutiques and restaurants in a serene district reminiscent of 1930’s Paris,” he said.

　　Food and beverage venues will rival the best of Shanghai, he promises, including a signature restaurant & terrace inspired by a Parisian boulangerie and top-end Chinese restaurant.

　　The Spa at Twelve Hengshan Shanghai offers wellness facilities, premium beauty and body treatments combing age-old traditions with modern technology – and is the first in China incorporating environment sustainability concepts in its design and services.

　　An “unparalleled” Concierge team arranges everything from restaurant reservations and theatre tickets to gallery tours and private shopping experiences.

　　The Luxury Collection’s signature destination discoveries focus on the hotel’s location in the cultural & historical epi-centre of Shanghai, including walking and motorcycle tours and local neighborhood explorations of traditional dress and shoe making shops, famous local delicacy eateries and Chinese antique and jewelry stores.

　　Following the opening of Twelve at Hengshan, The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts continues its plans to grow globally with three new hotels and resorts opening in Asia over the next three years.

　　As the newest member of The Luxury Collection brand, Twelve at Hengshan joins a portfolio of famous landmark properties including The Gritti Palace in Venice, Hotel Alfonso XIII in Seville, Hotel Pulitzer in Amsterdam and The Astor Hotel in Tianjin, China.