Monthly Archives: August 2009

Training of Optii Keeper at Hard Rock Hotel, City of Dreams, Macau

Liz recently completed a training assignment with Optii Keeper for the re-launch of this great new housekeeping software at the Hard Rock Hotel in Macau.

This busy 400 bedroom casino hotel which opened in April this year, benefited immediately once the Room Attendants and Supervisors were trained in the operation of their individual PDA’s and the software. Initial results showed the Department instantly started working more efficiently to reduce rooms on vacant dirty status from 100 at 6.00pm to only 10. The reaction from Grace Chan, Executive Housekeeper at the Hard Rock Hotel after 5 days in operation;

“A Big THANK YOU to you and Optii – to help us to fix our 6pm issue within just 3 days. We love Optii”

L&A is committed to driving forward with modern solutions to Housekeeping operational issues, especially those geared towards improved productivity, better quality and environmentally friendly.

Liz acted as a Green Globe referee for the Radisson Plaza Hotel Sydney

The Radisson Plaza Hotel Sydney has been involved with Liz Lycette and L&A for a variety of projects for approximately 8 years. They have proven to be a wealth of knowledge and experience in the industry which is why we chose them to be our referee for our EC3 Green Globe Program. With the assistance of Liz Lycette and L&A we were able to achieve our EC3 Green Globe Silver Certification. We look forward to working with Liz in the future.

Regards,
Peter Feran
Hotel Manager
Radisson Plaza Hotel Sydney

Swire Hotels – The Upper House, Hong Kong opening October 2009

Following the successful launch of its first hotel, The Opposite House in Beijing, Swire Hotels is preparing to open its second hotel – The Upper House, in Hong Kong this October.
The Upper House hotel is conveniently located within Pacific Place in Admiralty, one of Hong Kong Island’s premier integrated commercial, retail and hospitality complexes.

The hotel’s 117 rooms, all featuring scenic harbour or island views, including 21 suites and 2 penthouses, begin at 730sq ft – making them among the largest in Hong Kong. Bathrooms of over 300sqft framed with panoramic windows, come with walk-in rain showers, dressing area and deep soaking baths.
Café Gray Deluxe, a 21st century ‘grand café’ located on the 49th floor overlooking Victoria Harbour, marks the return of celebrated chef Gray Kunz to Hong Kong with his unique style of European classics and signature dishes from a lifetime leading the very finest kitchens in Europe, Asia and America. The vibrant restaurant is highlighted by a 14 metre long open kitchen and equally long bar.

The hotel will also feature an outdoor lawn on the 6th floor and a sky lounge on the 49th floor.
The name, ‘The Upper House’, is derived from the design philosophy of an upward journey from Queensway towards Pacific Place, elevating into a serene house above the bustling city.

The Upper House is designed by renowned Hong Kong architect Andre Fu of AFSO with the use of natural materials, distinctive sculptures and original artwork. The contemporary Oriental design echoes the aim to provide an understated feeling of residential calmness.
“Our goal is to create a highly individualised small hotel with a dynamic and busy restaurant, and to help in showcasing the revitalised Pacific Place,” said Brian Williams, Managing Director of Swire Hotels.

Liz and Ariane with Dean Winters on site. L&A are offering pre-opening assistance, of site, reviewing FF&E, OS&E,on site: reviewing mock up rooms and helping towards the opening of mid 2009.

L&A Associate – Meike Hofemann Zhang in Hong Kong

Meike Hofemann Zhang is currently in Hong Kong for 3 months on assignment to the Kowloon Shangri-la Hotel.

L&A Associate – Agnes in Bali

Agnes has been busy working on a new project with Bali Dynasty, she has been setting up training for cleaning and maintenance of newly renovated rooms and public areas.
Bali Dynasty Resort is a premier beachside resort in South Kuta, renowned for its warm Balinese hospitality. The property has recently undergone a multi-million makeover, with complete renovation of three wings, a splendid new Lobby, and two new restaurants. It now presents six restaurants, four bars, three swimming pools, spa villa, exercise room, beach club, kids club, meeting facilities and complimentary departure lounge.

Another new project is at the Bali Garden Hotel on Kuta Beach. Agnes is conducting a review and coaching and mentoring the senior Housekeeeping team towards better best practice.

City of Dreams launches with Optii Keeper – May 2009

Macau’s newest hotel and casino complex ushers in Best Practice for housekeeping with Optii Keeper, the world’s first housekeeping optimisation solution.

The ‘City of Dreams’ complex in Macau is the latest Asian leisure and entertainment destination, setting new standards in leisure entertainment for Macau and Asia. City of Dreams is set to greatly strengthen Macau’s growing reputation as the region’s premier leisure destination.

Realising the need to deploy a more strategic approach to business optimisation, City of Dreams was looking for a housekeeping solution able to provide operational savings and guarantee a more efficient administration of its 2 hotels on site, the Crown Towers and Hard Rock Hotel.

“With the uncertain economy characterising the present marketplace, hoteliers are finding it increasingly difficult to optimise their workforce without sacrificing the quality and service delivery. Optii Keeper can be the housekeeping department’s best ally by helping to improve quality, lift staff morale and deliver enormous productivity gains.” said Ross Lightfoot, Vice President, Sales of Optii Solutions. “We are proud to be working with City of Dreams in assisting the properties to deliver on their departmental profit expectations – and exceed the service delivery.”

About Optii Solutions

Optii Solutions is the premier provider of innovative software solutions to the global hotel industry.

Optii Solutions’ goal is to work hand-in-hand with clients to identify and solve strategically important organisational challenges in accommodation hotels. The solutions are created interactively, with direct involvement by hotel clients from conceptual design to refinement and testing. Optii therefore produces solutions that are easy to use by all levels of staff, relevant, effective and deliver measurable results.

Optii Solutions is a private, debt-free company headquartered in Brisbane, Australia.

York by Swissbel hotel assignment – early 2009

The York by Swiss-Belhotel is located in the heart of the CBD offering a combination of 120 recently refurbished fully air conditioned Studio 1 and 2 Bedroom Apartments.
Each apartment offers a spacious living area, fully equipped kitchen, 1 or 2 bathrooms, laundry facilities and the luxury of 1 or 2 terrace balconies. Most apartments have views that extend to the City SkyLine, and the Executive and Premiere Apartments overlook Sydney Harbour Foreshore*.
L&A have been helping with ongoing Housekeeping operational reviews, room standards and setups, quality control and manning. Ariane and Debi also conducted a workshop – “the Perfect Business Professional” – all staff going through an interactive learning experience on business etiquette, professional grooming including hair, makeup and dress sense.

L&A strategy meeting Dubai – February 2009

In late February 2009, L&A held a 3 day strategy meeting in Dubai.
The Associates who attended were Tim Millett (day one), Liz Lycette, Janine Hancox, Angela Petropoulos, Anne Manual, Agnes Zlotek Petit and Meike Hofemann Zhang

The first day was a sales training and negotiation skills workshop conducted by Tim Millett from IPerform

Day Two was a follow up from day one – what to do when making sales calls. Concerns, costs and constraints which may be bought up at the time of the Sales Call including answers on how we overcome these. Questions which the GM or Executive Housekeeper may ask with some possible answers
L&A – background and history and the benefits of being an L&A Associate?
What does and L&A consultant need to be successful?

Day Three
Tools of the Trade and introduction to Optii Keeper
We did a site inspection of both Atlantis and the Burj Al Arab, finishing with a cup of tea with Josephine Wallis, the Executive Housekeeper L&A associates at Burj Al Arab and Atlantis lobby

Housekeeping Olympics

In January 2009 Liz was the MC for the inaugural PHAN NSW Housekeeping Olympics. Held on 17th January 2009 at the Recreation Centre, King George Vth Centre in Cumberland Street, the Rocks, Sydney. PDF of Exec Housekeeper Magazine articleThe first ever Housekeeping Olympics were a great success as deemed by all those who attended. With 19 teams competing and over 200 attending the afternoon event, an exciting and competitive spirit was shared by all. With 5 events, several heats were run before a final in each of the events of toilet paper throwing, mop relay, toilet paper mummy wrapping, scrubbing pad discus throwing and the final exciting event, the bed relay. Winning teams were awarded with medals and a trophy, runner ups came away with certificates and ribbons. Special thanks to the judges, officials and helpers. Also thanks go to the suppliers and Hotels who lent equipment. The next Housekeeping Olympics will be held in the winter of 2010 (May/June next year) and with the great success of this event, we hope to attract more hotels and even welcome participation from inter-state!
The judges prepare	Eager spectators
Toilet paper throwing	Mop relay
Blue Hotel Scrubbing pad discus throwing winners	Toilet paper mummy wrapping and channel 9 filming
Winners of the toilet paper mummy wrapping	Scrubbing pad discus throwing
Lucky winners on TV!	The pressure is on, the bed making relay

Langham Auckland – January 2009

From 19th – 24th January 2009 Liz conducted a follow up operational review and audit at Langham Auckland.