Langham Announces Opening GM for First Boutique Hotel

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. October 14, 2008

AUGUST 6, 2008. Langham Hotels International has appointed Stefan Heintze as General Manager of the luxury operator's first boutique hotel - The Langham, Yangtze Boutique, Shanghai which is scheduled to open at the end of 2008.

Stefan was previously the Director of Brand - The Langham Hotels and Resorts where he was responsible for developing and enhancing The Langham brand at a corporate level. He also served as Director of Development - Special Projects for the group.

"We are delighted that Stefan is leading the charge of this new iconic property adjacent to Nanjing Road as we open the first of our many properties in China," said Nigel Roberts, Senior Vice President - Operations for The Langham Hotels and Resorts. "His corporate brand knowledge combined with his extensive operational experience will be telling as we introduce our enchanting brand footprint into Shanghai and China."

In this new role, Heintze's responsibilities will include overseeing the pre-opening and opening of The Langham, Yangtze Boutique located in the heart of Shanghai's central business district, a stone's throw from The People's Square adjacent to Nanjing Road.

It is a boutique luxury hotel originally designed as an iconic masterpiece of art deco and neo-classic architecture by renowned architect Li Pan in the 1930s, and was once named "The Third Largest Hotel in the Far East".

The hotel will reopen as Shanghai's only internationally-managed five star art deco boutique hotel once the multi-million dollar renovation is complete.

Stefan Heintze, General Manager says: "The Langham, Yangtze Boutique, Shanghai will re-emerge with the 140-year legendary luxury hotel heritage of The Langham brand whilst reflecting the splendour of history and romance of Old Shanghai. This landmark property will combine yesterday's charm with today's amenities."

The internationally managed boutique luxury hotel will feature 96 exquisite rooms and suites, including Chuan Residences which are directly connected to the hotel's signature Chuan Spa which will pamper guests on their journey to wellness.

All five restaurants and bars in The Langham, Yangtze Boutique will be designed as destinations to see and be seen in their own right and feature distinctive characteristics.

The Japanese Mado Izakaya Restaurant & Bar will explode with colours, creativity and flavours of Japan, while T'ang Court will create a new dimension of innovation in Cantonese cuisine.

Two Western restaurants will form part of The Langham, Yangtze Boutique experience. Ciao - an Italian all-day-dining restaurant - will serve classic creations of the robust Northern Italian cuisine while Palm Court will offer authentic English afternoon tea in a tranquil setting of one of Shanghai's true art deco lobbies.

The glamour and style of 1930s Shanghai is recaptured with the rooftop column-free Pearl Room hosting up to 250 guests. This new venue will be a wonderland for society events and magnificent meetings with bespoke Langham service featuring state-of-the-art facilities and classic art deco grandeur.

A seasoned hotelier and graduate of Lausanne Hotel School, Heintze brings a wealth of international experience to his position with a career spanning 18 years with international hotels and leading private clubs. He started his career with Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Centre where he acquired valuable pre-opening experience and food and beverage development. He has also held senior roles at Dusit Group properties as well as pre-opening General Manager of Palmerston Suites Tianjin Hotel, China.