DALLAS—Rosewood Hotels & Resorts has a number of irons in the fire, but one is burning especially brightly.
Announced in December 2013, the luxury hotel management company won the contract for the iconic Hôtel de Crillon in Paris, which is undergoing a two-year restoration.
The property is yet another gleaming jewel in the Rosewood crown, said President Radha Arora. “Hôtel de Crillon is more than just one of the world’s most majestic hotels. It is a landmark that personifies the poise, elegance and spirit of Paris,” he said in a news release.
In a more recent interview with Hotel News Now, Arora discussed Rosewood’s future ambitions, which include expanding the 18-property portfolio to include similarly high-end hotels in New York, London and throughout Asia.
The end goal? To become the globe’s premier operator of “ultra-luxury” hotels, he said.
Hotel News Now: With the Hôtel de Crillon announcement behind you, where now are you looking to expand?
Radha Arora: “Rosewood Hotels & Resorts currently manages 18 one-of-a-kind luxury properties made up of both city hotels and resorts in nine locations across the globe. We have announced 11 future openings that are part of a strategic global expansion to double our portfolio in the next five years.
“We are focusing on Asia and Europe in particular but at the same time looking closely at new markets such as South America. In 2014 we will be opening hotels in Beijing, Riyadh and Baha Mar (the Bahamas), with further openings already announced including Phuket, Bali, Bangkok and Hôtel de Crillon in Paris. …
“We are extremely careful about the projects with which we choose to work. We want to retain the exclusiveness and unique nature of our properties. We are not a brand made up of cookie-cutter hotels and are not looking to grow by quantity just to reach a certain target of new hotels.”
HNN: Will that expansion come in the form of new construction or conversion?
Arora: “Our current collection is made up of landmark hotels such as The Carlyle in New York and contemporary classics such as Las Ventanas in Los Cabos (Mexico). Our expansion will continue in this vein with a combination of new constructions and property conversions. The group’s most recent opening, Rosewood London, is housed in the former Pearl Assurance headquarters on Holborn, a stunning example of Edwardian Belle Epoque architecture to which we have given a stylish, contemporary interior which incorporates many of the original architectural features.
“Our hotel in Baha Mar is part of an exciting, new development in the Bahamas. It is fair to say we are also always looking for exciting opportunities in gateway cities such as the iconic Hôtel de Crillon in Paris which will be a Rosewood hotel when it reopens next year.”
HNN: Does Rosewood contribute any equity into these deals?
Arora: “Each of our deals are different but are all confidential so I can’t comment on the particulars for any of the management deals that we have.”
HNN: Does Rosewood have ownership stake in any of the properties it manages?
Arora: “The majority of Rosewood hotels are managed properties. We will continue to grow primarily through management contracts.”
HNN: How has the company's acquisition in July 2011 by Rosewood Hotel Group (formerly New World Hospitality) helped spur growth?
Arora: “The acquisition by Rosewood Hotel Group has allowed us to embark upon an ambitious, global expansion. The company’s office in Hong Kong also gives a unique advantage in expanding into China and Asia, which we consider to be an exciting new market for Rosewood and one that is full of opportunities.”
HNN: What is the No. 1 priority for Rosewood, and how will the company achieve that goal?
Arora: “We want to be seen as the leading ultra-luxury hotel company in the world. However, our first priority will always be our guests. We want to ensure that each stay they have at a Rosewood property exceeds their expectations whether they are staying with us for one night or one month. Relationship hospitality is the key to achieve this goal. We have to know and understand our guests—be aware of what they want, sometimes even before they know it themselves.”