La Vie Hotels and Resorts Expands Leadership Team with Marcus Hanna as Chief Operating Officer

Tuesday, October 8, 2024

La Vie Hotels and Resorts, one of the fastest-growing hotel groups in the Asia Pacific, has appointed Marcus Hanna as its new Chief Operating Officer. With a distinguished career spanning over 25 years, Hanna joins La Vie at a critical time of expansion, bringing deep industry expertise and a reputation for innovative leadership.

La Vie Hotels and Resorts, which pioneered the third-party hotel management model in Asia Pacific, currently operates properties across eleven countries, with key offices in major cities. The group’s success has been driven by its ability to provide tailored management solutions for hotels, enhancing guest experiences and maximizing asset value for owners.

Hanna’s career includes nearly two decades with Accor, where he held various senior roles, including Vice President of Operations for Sofitel, MGallery, and Emblems in the Pacific region. He has worked in prestigious hotels in Melbourne, Sydney, Gold Coast, and Brisbane, as well as international assignments in London, Malta, San Francisco, and Singapore. Most recently, he served as Managing Director of Fairmont Singapore and Swissôtel The Stamford, renowned properties that have consistently set benchmarks in luxury hospitality.

Hanna’s journey in hospitality began in Sydney at The Regent, a pioneer in luxury accommodations, while he was completing his Hospitality Management studies and competing in rowing at the world championship level for Australia. His early career also includes nearly a decade with InterContinental Hotels, where he played pivotal roles in operations in Sydney, London, Malta, and San Francisco. Notably, Hanna led the opening of several award-winning hotels and served as Project Manager for Sofitel during the launch of Qantas First Class Lounges in Sydney and Melbourne, bringing innovations like urban aquaponics into the hotel space.

La Vie Hotels and Resorts, under the leadership of entrepreneur Jerry Xu, has significantly expanded its lifestyle portfolio over the past year. The group recently introduced the Adge Hotel and Residences, launched the NOOE Hotels and Restaurants brand with a flagship resort in the Maldives, and strengthened its senior leadership teams in Sydney and Bangkok. Hanna’s appointment is a key component of this growth strategy, as he will oversee the group’s ambitious projects and drive operational excellence.

Among the upcoming developments for La Vie are the opening of its first hotel in Laos, the Radisson Red in Vientiane, and the refurbishment of Hobart’s heritage property, The Islington. With Hanna at the helm, La Vie Hotels and Resorts is well-positioned to enhance its brand presence and further establish itself as a leading player in the region’s hospitality sector.

La Vie’s CEO, Jerry Xu, said that Hanna’s exceptional experience working with owners, operational excellence in hotels, and recognised leadership talent made him the ideal candidate to drive the group’s future progress.

“We work across multiple platforms – franchise, white label, and our own brands – with our success based on our ability to add value for owners and partners,” said Mr Xu.

“We are committed to delivering performance and operational excellence, and Marcus has a proven record of bringing the best out of hotels and teams under his management.

“We are aiming to add some 20 additional hotels for the group over the next 18 months, and Marcus will play a key role in onboarding and integrating these hotels into our network.”

Marcus Hanna said he was looking forward to working for a company with such a rich vision for its future direction and its ability to deliver maximum value for owners and partners.

“Jerry Xu is a pioneer in the Asia Pacific hotel industry and I’m looking forward to contributing to La Vie’s expansion,” said Mr Hanna.

“I have extensive international experience across the Asia Pacific region with luxury, upscale, and boutique properties; my focus will continue to be on building exceptional teams and driving superior returns for owners.

“Asia Pacific is gearing up to return fully to 2019 levels of travel, with leisure, business and conference travel all being boosted thanks to increased air capacity. Connecting the regions and maximising the revenue opportunities for our hotels will help keep La Vie at the forefront of the industry.”

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