BEIJING/HONG KONG: Raffles Hotels & Resorts has announced two key general manager appointments in Asia, with Richard Schestak moving from Raffles Hotel Le Royal, Phnom Penh, to oversee the opening of Raffles Jakarta, and his position being taken over by Pieter van der Hoeven.
Van der Hoeven joins Raffles in Phnom Penh from Outrigger Asia Pacific, where he was vice-president for sales and marketing for Asia-Pacific. Before that, he was an area GM with Six Senses Resorts and Spas, overseeing Evason and Six Senses Spas, Hua Hin, Evason Hideaway & Earth Spa by Six Senses, and Evason Hideaway, Vietnam. Van der Hoeven has also held progressive positions with the Peninsula group of hotels in Bangkok and Hong Kong, as well as Hyatt Hotels in Australia.
“[Van der Hoeven] has 23 years of Asia-Pacific experience in Australia, Hong Kong, Thailand and Vietnam. His experience, working with great luxury brands such as Outrigger, Six Senses, Peninsula and Hyatt, will be invaluable to Raffles Hotel Le Royal, Phnom Penh, in maintaining our position as one of the most highly rated hotels in Cambodia,” said Peter French, president of Raffles Hotels & Resorts.
Van der Hoeven takes on the mantle from Schestak who, after three very successful years in Phnom Penh, moves on to take up the role of GM of Raffles Jakarta, scheduled to be unveiled in 2014.
Over the past 21 years, Schestak – an Austrian national – has gained a wealth of international experience across the globe. Before becoming GM of Raffles Hotel Le Royal, Phnom Penh, he held key roles, including director of operations for Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Abu Dhabi, as well as regional director of food and beverage for the Middle East and director of F&B at Fairmont Dubai. With an extensive background in operations, particularly in F&B, Schestak has also held senior positions in Michelin-starred restaurants, various award-winning spa and golf resorts in Europe and luxury cruise lines.
“We are really pleased to have Schestak overseeing the opening of Raffles Jakarta,” French said. “With his many years of experience, both with Raffles Hotels & Resorts and a range of leading companies, I know [he] will be able draw on this wealth of expertise to ensure the successful opening of Raffles Jakarta and its induction into the Raffles family, to offer an exciting new oasis for travellers to Indonesia.”
As GM, Schestak will oversee the opening of the hotel in the heart of Jakarta’s central business district, set in Ciputra World Jakarta, a prestigious new development with luxury boutiques, office buildings and an art museum. Raffles Jakarta will feature 173 rooms and suites, as well as restaurants and bars, and a large spa.
