Coco Collection and Sunland Hotels Name Nick Simmonds as Chief Operating Officer
Hong Kong - November 5, 2013 - The award winning Sunland Hotels & Resorts and its luxury subsidiary Coco Collection are proud to announce Nick Simmonds as their new Chief Operating Officer.
Simmonds will oversee all operational and strategic practices for both brands in the Maldives. He brings with him a wealth of experience, gained through an extensive career specializing in launching and operating some of the most well renowned hotels and resorts in the world. Most recently, Simmonds was Vice President of Chris Blackwell's Island Outpost collection of hotels in Jamaica where he also headed up the company's charitable foundations and environmental programs. Prior to Island Outpost, Simmonds was the General Manager at The Cotton House in Mustique, where he was responsible for the refurbishment and re-launch of the property. Simmonds also oversaw the launch and management of the highly acclaimed COMO Hotels & Resorts property, Parrot Cay, in the Turks and Caicos.
In addition to Simmonds incredible resume, he also speaks fluent Zulu, Xhosa, and Afrikaans. Other career highlights include appointments that range from the remote African bush, where he began his career in hospitality by working as a guide, to New York City's trendy Upper East Side, where he worked for Private Worldwide Property Portfolio.
"It is my distinct privilege to work for one of the Maldives' most prestigious hotel groups, who pride themselves on offering their guests unparalleled level of luxury and tailor made service," said Simmonds. "I'm incredibly thrilled to be entering this exciting new chapter in my career and look forward to taking on this role with such a well-regarded company and hardworking team on my side."
In addition to Simmonds new role as Chief Operating Officer, he also currently sits on the board for The Center for Responsible Travel (CREST), based in Washington DC, whose mission is to promote responsible tourism policies and practices globally to enable local communities to thrive and steward their cultural resources and biodiversity. CREST functions as a bi-coastal institute, see here for further details: http://www.responsibletravel.org
About Coco Collection
Coco Collection is a prestigious hotel group, and a subsidiary of Sunland Hotels. Since opening the flagship hotel in July 2007, the company has continued to grow and develop its reputation as a trailblazer in stylish, sophisticated yet sustainable hospitality.
Coco Collection's portfolio comprises of three distinct brands, Coco Resorts: Retreats, Coco Prive and Coco Palm. The Coco Resorts: Retreats includes the luxury resort Coco Bodu Hithi; Coco Palm features the environmentally conscious escape Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu; and Coco Prive consists of the private and exclusive Coco Prive Kuda Hithi Island.
Coco Collection offers customers an extensive and unique array of properties, services and experiences to choose from. www.cococollection.com
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
