Orient-Express yesterday announced the appointment of Sandro Fabris as Regional Managing Director, Africa, with responsibility for overseeing the activities of the company’s two hotels in South Africa - The Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town and The Westcliff in Johannesburg – as well as its three safari camps in Botswana – Khwai River Lodge, Savute Elephant Camp and Eagle Island Camp.
This appointment follows the announcement of the retirement of Nick Seewer as Regional Managing Director, Africa.
Nick Seewer has been with Orient-Express for over 20 years and he will continue to lend his expertise to the company in an advisory role, as a consultant to the Orient-Express safari business. He joined the company first as General Manager of the Mount Nelson Hotel, then as Regional Managing Director for Africa, negotiating the company’s successful acquisition of The Westcliff in Johannesburg and establishing the company’s three camps in Botswana as world leaders in safari operations.
“Nick has personally nurtured and crafted the Mount Nelson Hotel into the iconic hotel it is today,” commented Paul White, President and Chief Executive Officer of Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. “I am sure his colleagues, as well as the thousands of guests who have enjoyed from his hospitality and the hundreds of young people who have begun their careers under his tutelage, will join me in thanking Nick for his 20 years of dedicated service and the invaluable contribution he has made to the growth of our business. We look forward to our continued association in Botswana.”
Sandro Fabris has been with Orient-Express for over 18 years in various managerial positions throughout Europe. Before moving to Cape Town, he was based in Madeira, where he was General Manager of Reid’s Palace for two years. Prior to this, he had been General Manager of both the Lapa Palace in Lisbon and Hotel Quinta do Lago on Portugal’s Algarve coast.
Sandro began his Orient-Express career in Venice, where he served nearly four years as Resident Manager of the company’s flagship property, Hotel Cipriani.
Son and grandson of world-class hoteliers, Sandro began his hospitality career as Food and Beverage manager of Ciga’s Excelsior in the Lido of Venice, and later moved to Florence to re-open Ciga’s refurbished Grand Hotel. A graduate of the Hotel Management School in Lausanne, Fabris was born in Italy and retains dual Italian and Swiss citizenship.
Orient-Express yesterday also announced the appointment of Ulisses Marreiros as Acting GeneralManager of Reid's Palace in Madeira, having served as Resident Manager of the hotel for the past 18 months.
Commenting on this appointment, Anton Küng, Orient-Express’ Regional Managing Director, said, “Ulisses has a proven track record at Reid’s Palace and his appointment will guarantee the continuation of the great tradition of service and hospitality that makes the hotel so unique. His personalised approach means he has already developed a great relationship with guests and staff, reinforcing the Orient-Express philosophy.”
Marreiros came to Madeira in July 2008, having previously been Director of Sales and Marketing at the Vila Vita Parc Resort & Spa on Portugal's Algarve Coast. Prior to this he was part of the opening sales team for the One&Only Reethi Rah resort in the Maldives.
Ulisses began his career in hospitality at another Orient-Express property, Hotel Quinta do Lago in the Algarve, with experience in banqueting, reservations and reception, working his way up to International Marketing & Sales Manager.
