James Hewitson Appointed as General Manager of Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara

April 2016 – Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spa are delighted to announce the appointment of Mr. James Hewitson as General Manager of Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara in the Sultanate of Oman, due to open this summer (Khareef season). Having worked with Anantara for five years, James brings with him a solid understanding of the brand as well as extensive experience garnered from key roles at prominent hotels throughout the world, ensuring he is well placed to deliver an unparalleled five-star experience for guests. 

A highly accomplished and passionate hotelier, James is responsible for delivering Anantara’s ethos of offering guests unique authentic luxury and outstanding experiences alongside world class hospitality and service. He leads a talented team, overseeing every aspect from operations and financing, to marketing and culture development to ensure the resort rapidly becomes a standout luxury destination in the region.

James brings with him 25 years’ of experience across Europe, Middle East and South East Asia, including overseeing the pre-opening of several luxury resorts. In 2011, James joined the Minor Hotel Group family as Executive Assistant Manager of Anantara Lawana Resort and Spa in Koh Samui, Thailand, before overseeing the pre-opening of Anantara Dubai The Palm Resort and Spa as Resident Manager. In 2014, he undertook a role as Task Force General Manager, spearheading the pre-openings of Anantara Kihavah Maldives, Avani Pemba Beach Mozambique and Banana Island Resort by Anantara Qatar.

James Hewitson, General Manager, Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara says; “I am very excited to be leading the opening of another Anantara property. We have an exceptional team on board and with the help of the local community, we are confident that we can deliver authentic and indigenous services to world class luxury standards. With the region’s rich culture, heritage and natural beauty combined with the hotel’s extensive facilities and dining outlets and spa, I believe we have a very bright future ahead.”

Robert Kunkler, Chief Operating Officer, Minor Hotels adds “We are delighted to have a seasoned professional such as James at the helm of Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara as we continue to pursue our expansion across the Middle East. Having already worked on the opening of several Anantara properties, he has a deep understanding of the brand ethos and will be able to successfully lead the first five-star property in Salalah, and Anantara’s second hotel in Oman.”

Perfectly positioned between a scenic beach and freshwater lagoon, Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara is within reach of an abundance of natural wonders and cultural gems and is also conveniently located just 10 km from the city centre and 15 km from the airport. The resort features 40 Premier and Deluxe Rooms, offering views of the Arabian Sea, lagoon or picturesque gardens as well as 88 one, two and three bedroom villas which will offer private pools, the first of their kind in Salalah, spacious living areas and personal villa host services.  Guests will be able to choose from three dining options, with a selection of cuisines available including South East Asian and Mediterranean delicacies.

Anantara is a luxury hospitality brand for modern travellers, connecting them to genuine places, people and stories through personal experiences, and providing heartfelt hospitality in the world’s most exciting destinations. The collection of distinct, thoughtfully designed luxury hotels and resorts provides a window through which to journey into invigorating new territory, curating personal travel experiences.

From cosmopolitan cities to desert sands to lush islands, Anantara connects travellers to the indigenous, grounds them in authentic luxury, and hosts them with passionate expertise. The portfolio currently boasts over 30 stunning properties located in Thailand, the Maldives, Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Cambodia, Mozambique, Zambia, the UAE and Qatar, with a pipeline of future properties across Asia, the Indian Ocean, Middle East and Africa.

About Global Hotel Alliance:
Founded in 2004, and based on the airline alliance model, Global Hotel Alliance (“GHA”) is today the world’s largest alliance of independent hotel brands. GHA uses a shared technology platform to drive incremental revenues and create cost savings for its member brands, and operates a multi-brand loyalty programme, DISCOVERY, which has over six million members. GHA’s member brands encompass over 550 upscale and luxury hotels with 110,000 rooms across 76 different countries. For more information visit www.gha.com