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GRAND EVENTS THE INTERNATIONAL HOSPITALITY HALL OF FAME THE SIGNUM VIRTUTIS AWARDS
MADE-TO-MEASURE LUXURY HOTEL MANAGEMENT, REPRESENTATION, BRANDING & MARKETING
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Content
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THEInauguration Honouring the Hall of Famers with their portraits painted in oil on permanent display
s Linare lacio nd Pa as hosting a l te ry n ce Ho Luxu hose a Pala g been c ven Stars 6. adiern vin 01 Se Villa P roud of ha stigious Awards 2 ! are p for the pre ospitality ation only H vit es venu estyle and /16. By in Lif r, 15 e b to Oc
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WELCOME Proudly announcing
GRANDOPENING HALL OF FAME
The glamorous galas celebrated at Villa Padierna Palace Hotel
Finally! Hospitality Industry Leaders now have an exclusive Hall of Fame!
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SIGNUMVIRTUTIS Received by legendary and exclusive properties such as Byblos St Tropez, The Peninsula Paris, CastaDiva Resort & Spa, Grand Resort Bad Ragaz, and many more. Lifetime Achievement award for ‘The One&Only’ Sol Kerzner and Woman of the Year Award to Regine Sixt; Seven Star CEO of the Year to Valentine Ozigbo of Transcorp.
THE PRIVATE SOCIETY FOR DISCERNING HOTELIERS A league of its own Affiliation by invitation only…
HoteliersGuild | WorldGuide AG | Hildegardstrasse 9 | 80539 Munich Germany | t +41225349478 | HoteliersGuild | fmp.hoteliersguild@me.com
We
WELCOME
were absolutely delighted to welcome more than 200 luxury hospitality leaders from around the world to the 4th annual Seven Stars Luxury Hospitality and Lifestyle Awards opening gala and to the inauguration of The International Hospitality Hall of Fame, which was jointly hosted with the at the magnificent Villa Padierna Palace Hotel, Marbella, Spain, Oct. 14th and 15th. This must surely have been one of the largest gatherings of some of the most esteemed professionals of our industry! Visit us on YouTube and ANDALUCIAVIVE
!
Owner and HoteliersGuild’s trustee, Ricardo Arranz de Miguel, president of Villa Padierna Hotels & Resorts and his spouse Alicia, Marquesa of Villapadierna have benevolently offered their Palacio Linares to become the very first and most exclusive International Hospitality Hall of Fame, and all participants agreed unanimously that here is, in fact, no better location in the world for such a noble cause! We all feel that our industry and their leaders are very special. And now, we finally have a decorous setting. The 2016 Inductees ranged from innovators and creators such as Cesar Ritz and Bill Marriott as well as living legends of Hospitality such as the inimitable Sol Kerzner and Natale Rusconi, who are being honoured and immortalised, with their portraits painted in oil with a short bio exclusively engraved on silver plaques on permanent display. We are solemnly honoured by the unwavering support received from members of our board and so many well established colleagues and companies from the luxury hospitality industry to whom we wish to express our thanks and special gratitude. Our hearts went out to the two very special inductees, true legends and world renowned for their dedicated services and their input in the historical development of luxury hospitality, that has impacted our culture. The ‘One&Only’ Sol Kerzner and Natale Rusconi, thirty years Managing Director of the Cipriani, Venice. Both well into their 80th, it was a great pleasure to see them still going strong and to listen to their gracious acceptance speeches! It is, of course, not easy at all - to say the very least! - to gather all the elected Hall of Famers from around the world at a specific day at a specific location - some of them quite simply were unable to clear their agendas but have sent us their warm greetings which I include for your reading pleasure.
Warm regards, enjoy and get inspired ! Frank M. Pfaller HoteliersGuild | President & CEO The International Hospitality Hall of Fame | Founder President Seven Stars Luxury Hospitality and Lifestyle Awards | Hon. Chairman
 
We were delighted to welcome industry leaders from around the world to celebrate the presentations of the coveted Signum Virtutis awards and the inauguration of The International Hospitality Hall of Fame in Marbella, Spain.
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Cutting the Ribbon The International Hospitality Hall of Fame was opened in grand style with an exclusive ribbon cutting ceremony Filip Boyen, CEO, Small Luxury Hotels; Princess Bhargavi Mewar from The House of Mewar, Executive Director of HRH Hotels; Frank M. Pfaller; Ece Vahapoglu, Author, Journalist & MC of the evening. from left to right:
Ricar d Hon. o Arranz C 1st Cu hairman Frank stodian M. Pfa ller
Palacio Linares The perfect
location for an exclusive inaugural diner in the presence of the Spanish minister of
tourism and a delegation from the government.
Celebrating in style during a private dinner for Hall of Famers and invited guests strictly only, followed by the official opening during the Signum Virtutis Awards gala.
Happy Faces and a delegation from Madrid lead by the Minister of Tourism Hall of Famer, South Africa’s ‘One&Only’ Sol Kerzner, seen in front of his portrait. Below from left to right: Frank M. Pfaller; Miguel Briones Artacho – Subdelegado del Gobierno; Ricardo Arranz, President of Villa Padierna Hotels; Isabel Borrego Cortes, Secretaria de Estado de Turismo; Margarita del Cid, Presidenta Mancomunidad Elias Bendodo , Presidente Diputación Málaga
PALACE HOTEL LA


The distinguished Hall of Famers Voted by the esteemed members of TIHHF academy from left to right:
Cesar Ritz Conrad Hilton Bill Marriott James Sherwood Conde de Villapadierna Juan Trippe Lord Charles Forte Hans Badrutt Natale Rusconi Sol Kerzner Philippe Starck
 
Acceptance Messages
Dear Frank, It is with great pride for me to be inducted into the International Hospitality Hall of Fame. When Eva and I first started, we had no idea our personal vision of a locally crafted villa and environmentally responsible lifestyle would form the basis of a successful collection of world-class resorts. We started a trend for back-to-nature luxury holidays, and watched the Maldives turn from a three-star high volume destination into the luxury destination it is today. At Soneva, we strive to “inspire a lifetime of rare experiences”. This started with our now ubiquitous chocolate, ice cream, cheese and charcuterie rooms, followed by the outdoor Cinema Paradiso, our observatories, and now our glass studio at Soneva Fushi, among many other things. We hope that as we continue to grow, we will continue to inspire the international tourism industry to integrate luxury with sustainability, as these two things do not compete – they actually complement each other. While I am proud of what we have accomplished, there is much more that we, not only as a company but as an industry, can do to improve the communities in which we operate. With warmest regards, Sonu
Dear Frank,
I am deeply honoured to have this prestigious award bestowed upon me.
I am sharing this accolade with many people who have and continue to inspire me.
It has been and continues to be a great privilege to work in the hospitality industry. An industry which unites people from all over the world.
Kind regards,
Peter
Peter Borer COO The Peninsula Hotels
Sonu Shivdasani | Chairman & CEO
Att. M. Frank M. Pfaller
The International Hospitality Hall of Fame
Cher Monsieur,
C'est un grand honneur pour moi de recevoir votre invitation à faire partie de l'International Hospitality Hall of Fame, en reconnaissance de mon travail et contribution dans le domaine du design et de la création pour le secteur hotelier.
Je vous remercie également chaleureusement pour l'invitation à assister au Gala d'Inauguration qui se déroulera le 15 octobre prochain, même si à mon grand regret, des contraintes d'agenda ne me permettront pas d'être présent.
Je tiens à vous féliciter, à vous et à toute votre équipe, pour l'organisation de cet évènement prestigieux et vous prie de recevoir mes meilleures salutations.
Philippe Starck
Dear Frank,
It is with great pride that we accept your invitation for us to be inducted into The International
Hospitality Hall of Fame. Both our careers have been entirely in some part of the hospitality industry –
travel agent, tour operator, incentive travel, airline, People to People Travel and now Preferred Hotels
and Resorts. This industry is one that brings the world together and has been part of many innovations
and programs that other industries adapt. To be thought of as a leader of this fabulous and growing
industry is indeed an honor that we will cherish.
Our warmest regards!
John and Gail
John & Gail Ueberroth Founders, Preferred Hotels & Resorts
Dear Frank,
When I received word to be included in the International Hospitality Hall of Fame, you put me in the right mood - 'Down Memory Lane'. My private and professional life was scripted by 'follow your heart' and several mentors who were always present like Guardian Angels.
The early trails of my personal life began in 1960, as if written in Folks Tales, young German hotelier-to-be, met and fell in love with a Thai student in Lausanne. She returned to her homeland, found him a job at a little seaside inn in Thailand - early assimilation into Thai culture, two years later they moved to the Oriental in Bangkok. Today, we are married fifty years with three wonderful children. A real love story!
In the early seventies, the Thai owners decided to enlarge the Oriental to 400 rooms, requiring a Management Company. The obvious choice was the Mandarin in Hong Kong and the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group was born.
Peter Stafford was the General Manager of the Mandarin Hong Kong and he took it upon himself to train hundreds of Oriental employees from one week to six months in Hong Kong. As for myself, I was dispatched to the Savoy in London for one month...polishing my manners!
Highlights over the past forty years :
. The Oriental Hotel Apprentice Programme was set up
. The Professional Thai Chef Programme
. The South East Asia Writers Award to honour the many famous writers who stayed over the years.
. The nostalgic Legends of Indochina
. The Royal Project in Chiengmai where our Chef, Norbert Kostner, introduced new varieties of vegetables and fruits, which were imported at high cost from Europe - not an easy task to reproduce in tropical climate. Today, most hotels/restaurants all over Thailand recognize real value in this brand.
Whatever we undertook, we tried to connect these stories with a society who surrounded us and ultimately became our loyal customers.
Most of the 1200 staff members dedicated their services an entire life to the Oriental, which allowed us to maintain and nourish a personalized service. Because of the close relationship between our staff and guests - guests felt at home.
When the Oriental was named for the first time 'Best Hotel in the World', the Thai employees lifted glasses of champagne for a photo shoot and a few minutes later, returned to their work place, continued their jobs as diligently like as if nothing has happened. Thais display a great sense of humanity, supporting each other, whenever the unexpected occurs.
In the end - what is life? Warmth - and I had plenty in both private and professional life!
Warm regards!
Kurt
Kurt Wachtveitl
Dear Frank,
I thoroughly enjoyed your glorious celebration of the art of hospitality. What a party and what a turn out, impressive! Many congratulations!
Kind regards & thank you so much for the gracious invitation!
Filip
Filip Boyen
Chief Executive Officer
Small Luxury Hotels of the World Management Ltd
Dear Mr. Pfaller,
I am deeply honoured that your Board has voted me as an inductee for the International Hospitality Hall of Fame and that I will be presented with a “Signum Vertutis”, the most exclusive award in the luxury hospitality industry.
This nomination not only concludes in glory my long career in the luxury hotel business, but also gives me the assurance that my work and its philosophy will be transmitted to the young generations who will choose one of the most satisfactory careers, which on a human scale allows them to meet many interesting and diversified characters and which in many cases enables them to make people happy as well. I also believe that the mission of a General Manager is to include the staff members, who are the motor of a hotel.
The future of the hotel industry is especially nowadays under scrutiny by many observers. I personally believe that with the merging of chains such as Marriott and Starwood, there will be soon a great division between machine hotels and boutique hotels. I was in fact employed as Assistant Manager at the Gritti Palace Hotel in Venice, which had been previously the annex of the nearby Grand Hotel, in the early ’50’s. With the Gritti, CIGA Hotels created the first de luxe boutique hotel in Italy, and that was my school. Also the Cipriani, with less than 100 rooms, is considered still now to be a boutique hotel, as are many others of the Belmond group, formerly Orient-Exress Hotels, of which I was the Italian Vice President.
Sincerely,
Natale Rusconi
I thank you for the honour given me and I look forward to seeing you soon in Marbella. As far as Jim Sherwood is concerned, he will be in Venice this coming Saturday, and I will speak with him about the Hall of Fame celebration in Marbella.
Dear Frank,
It is with the greatest honour and delight that I accept the prestigious “Industry Legend” award from TIHOF.
My time in the hospitality industry, of over 50 years, has been made more remarkable by the huge pool of talented and passionate individuals that I have had the privilege and pleasure of working with across the globe. It is a unifying industry in so many respects and one in which I am proud to have made a contribution.
Warmest personal regards,
Sol
Sol Kerzner President SK Hospitality LTD
Dear Frank,
'I would like to formally accept this induction into the International Hospitality Hall of Fame and to sincerely thank the Board of Advisors for their support and votes. It is an honour to be recognised alongside so many exceptional individuals and I am proud to have contributed to the hospitality industry for so many years.’
My best regards,
Geoffrey
Geoffrey Gelardi Managing Director The Lanesborough
es Linar o i c a ting d Pal el an en as hos ury t o H Lux hos ace a Pal g been c ven Stars 6. n r e i n ad vi 01 Se Villa P roud of ha estigious Awards 2 ! r y p t p nly li are or the d Hospita nvitation o f s e venu estyle an /16. By i 5 Lif ber, 1 Octo
 
The Seven Stars Luxury Hospitality and Lifestyle Awards saw an exclusive gathering of more than 200 distinguished industry leaders at Villa Padierna Palace Hotel, Marbella, Spain
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Private Inauguration Exclusivity
at it’s best was enjoyed by thirty invited guests, Hall of Famers, international hoteliers and dignitaries from national and local politics and culture.
All the way from Udaipur, India Princess Bhargavi Mewar Group of Hotels
accepting the coveted Signum Virtutis award for her family’s fabulous HRH
FABULOUS VILLA PADIERNA The spectacular sundowner cocktail party around the roman amphitheatre was followed by a lavish gala dinner and flamenco show.
Seen at the head table, from centre to right:
Hall of Fame Natale Rusconi; Mrs. Rusconi; Nicolas Arranz; Ms. Rusconi; Felipe Arranz; Frank M. Pfaller; Michel & Diana Levaton, President of Metropolitan Model Agency ; Phiip Valére; Caroline Barclay; Hall of Fame Sol Kerzner; international night club queen Olivia Valére
And the Signum Virtutis Award goes to… ENJOYING the glamorous procedure Peter Tschirky, CEO of Switzerland’s fine Grand Resort Bad Ragaz receiving the Seven Star plaque from Nicola El-Mouelhy, CEO of SSLHLA, and lovely Ece Vahapogly
The Lifetime Achievement Award handed to Sol Kerzner, Founder
President of Sun International; One&Only; Atlantis…
by Prince Max della Torre e Tasso and IHHF President Frank M. Pfaller
AND THE SPECIAL AWARDS GO TO… The CEO of the Year Award handed to Valentine Ozigbo, CEO of Transcorp Hotels, Nigeria, by SSLHLA panel member Princess Natalie of Hohenzollern
The Woman of the Year Award handed to Regine Sixt, Executive Vice President of SIXT rent a car
and Founder President of worldwide children charity ‘Drying Little Tears’ by by SSLHLA panel member Prince Max della Torre e Tasso.
Gala Diners & Shows The world of luxury hospitality and lifestyle was set ablaze at the Villa Padierna Palace Hotel on the nights of October 14th and 15th by the 4th annual Seven Stars Luxury Hospitality and Lifestyle Awards and the inauguration of The International Hospitality Hall of Fame! An unrivalled list of attendees was in attendance in order to collect the highest most exclusive award in the industry, the Signum Virtutis, the seal of excellence.
Simply the Best! Guests were delighted by the beauty of the location and gracious hospitality extended to them.
1 to become a member go to wholeworldwater.co
Photo by Robert Green
the"original"in"barefoot luxury Multi-bedroom villas hidden among dense foliage within touching distance of their own beach and a pristine coral reef protected and recognised by UNESCO. Intuitive service is provided by Mr./Ms. Friday butlers who know what you want before you want it. Every visit makes you feel young again - no matter what age. Watching movies in Cinema Paradiso, counting Saturn’s rings in the Observatory. Deciding between sixty flavours of ice cream. Eleven types of pillow. Five hundred different wines. Three to nine bedroom villas. And nine dining options too. If the experiences are magical, the philosophy is simple: No news, no shoes. No pretensions either. Intelligent Luxury is all about creating unforgettable, enlightening experiences of SLOW LIFE*. *Sustainable, Local, Organic, Wellness - Learning, Inspiring, Fun, Experiences
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