Quality wins over quantity at Stamford - Stamford Hotels and Resorts

Business Asia, April 5, 1999

A shipping company is proving that big is not necessarily better when it comes to the bedroom.

Stamford Hotels and Resorts, owned by the Singapore-based Hai Sun Hup, will open only its seventh hotel at the end of this year.

However, since the group moved into the hotel market in 1995 with the Stamford North Ryde in Sydney it has gained an international reputation.

For example, Stamford Plaza Auckland, previously The Regent, has been consistently voted by two leading US travel magazines as one of the top 10 hotels in the Asia-Pacific region.

This kudos can be traced back to Hai Sun Hup executive chairman Mr C.K. Ow, who has espoused a strategy of high-quality hotels in premium locations.

The group's latest venture bears out the truth of this philosophy: the five-star, all-suite Stamford Plaza Sydney features a spectacular harbour-front location close to The Rocks and Sydney Opera House.

Stamford Hotels and Resorts chief operating officer Mr Scott Cogar attributes the group's success not only to the location and quality of the hotels, but also to what he refers to as "personalised, intelligent hospitality".

"We are not only committed to providing traditional hospitality ... we are also committed to implementing the latest technology available in our industry to improve our service," Mr Cogar said. "For example, at the end of this year we will be the first Australian-based hotel chain with totally integrated computer systems."