Rocco Forte Hotels Appoints GM For St. Petersburg Hotel
October 25, 2013 - Rocco Forte Hotels has today announced the appointment of Gerold J. Held as General Manager for Hotel Astoria in St. Petersburg. Mr. Held takes over from Walter C. Neumann, who after a successful three years at the hotel will move to Moscow to assume his new role as CEO of Azimut Hotels.
Gerold Held has 30 years experience in the hospitality industry. He brings a wealth of management experience to the new role and joins the company from the Grand Hotel Taschenbergpalais, Kempinski Dresden where he was General Manager. His appointment sees him returning to St. Petersburg where from 2005 to 2008, he was General Manager at the Corinthia Nevskij Palace Hotel.
Commenting on the appointment, Ivan Artolli, Rocco Forte Hotels Operations Director UK, Belgium and Russia said: “We are delighted that Gerold will be taking the helm at Hotel Astoria. He brings with him a great blend of hospitality expertise and Russian market knowledge, which will prove invaluable in leading this iconic hotel.”
In his new role, Held is tasked with managing the day-to-day operation of the iconic 169-room luxury hotel as well as overseeing the management of sister property, the Angleterre Hotel.
Held joins Hotel Astoria at the end of its landmark centenary year during which the property has undergone a multi-million pound refurbishment, culminating in the completion of the 3,500-square-foot Czar Suite, 50 junior suites and the opening of the new Astoria Cafe and Lichfield Bar.
A city landmark for the last century, Hotel Astoria has welcomed many illustrious guests through its doors over the years and is perfectly located on St. Isaac's Square overlooking St. Petersburg's famous cathedral, within strolling distance over the city's numerous historic attractions.
A Russian speaker, Mr. Held holds a degree in Hotel Management from Fritz Gabler Hotel and Catering Management College in Heidelberg, Germany, has completed a number of courses at Cornell University and holds an MBA in Tourism Management.
About Rocco Forte Hotels
Rocco Forte Hotels is a family of 11 individual hotels and resorts. Each property has a unique style, reflecting its nationality and location, but all share Rocco Forte Hotels' trademark attention to detail, high quality and immaculate service.
Established by Sir Rocco Forte in 1996, Rocco Forte Hotels comprises: Hotel de Russie, Rome; Hotel Savoy, Florence; The Balmoral, Edinburgh; The Lowry Hotel, Manchester; Hotel Astoria, St Petersburg; Hotel Amigo, Brussels; Brown's Hotel, London; Villa Kennedy, Frankfurt; Hotel de Rome, Berlin; The Charles Hotel, Munich; Verdura Golf & Spa Resort, Sicily. Future openings: Jeddah; Marrakech; Cairo; Luxor. www.roccofortehotels.com
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