Commis

Emmy Stoel appointed General Manager of Mandarin Oriental Conservatorium, Amsterdam. * 1 hour ago Mandarin Oriental is pleased to announce the appointment of Emmy Stoel as General Manager of Mandarin Oriental Conservatorium, Amsterdam, effective 1 September. A highly respected leader in luxury hospitality, Stoel returns to Amsterdam following her role as General Manager of InterContinental Athénée Palace Bucharest. With more than three decades of international experience, she is widely recognised for her people-focused leadership, operational excellence and ability to create exceptional guest experiences while fostering strong connections with local communities. Returning to Amsterdam Amsterdam has played a significant role throughout Stoel's career. She previously led both Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam and Hotel Okura Amsterdam, where she earned recognition for building high-performing teams, driving business success and strengthening each hotel's connection to the city. In 2023, Stoel was named European Hotel Manager of the Year by the European Hotel Managers Association, recognising her outstanding leadership and commitment to sustainability, diversity and inclusion and talent development. Stoel joins Mandarin Oriental Conservatorium, Amsterdam following a significant milestone in the hotel's history, with the successful introduction of the Mandarin Oriental brand under the leadership of Susanne Hatje. Building on this strong foundation, Stoel will lead the hotel into its next chapter, further strengthening its position as one of Amsterdam's leading luxury destinations for both international visitors and local residents. Her focus will include elevating the hotel's culinary and wellness experiences, attracting and developing outstanding talent and deepening the property's connection with Amsterdam's vibrant cultural community. "It is truly special to return to Amsterdam and have the opportunity to lead a hotel that holds such a distinctive place within the city. Mandarin Oriental Conservatorium brings together an iconic building, an exceptional team and the legendary service standards of Mandarin Oriental. I'm excited to be part of this next chapter and to build on the hotel's unique character, strong connection to Amsterdam and rich legacy". Emmy Stoel

Two Azerai properties rank among Asia's top 10 Hotels. Ke Ga Bay, Vietnam, September 10, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / Azerai Ke Ga Bay and Azerai La Residence, Hue have earned places among Asia's elite for service excellence, ranking No. 9 and No. 10 respectively in the "Top 10 Hotels for Service" category in Smart Travel Asia's Best in Travel Poll 2026. The results, drawn from votes by international frequent travelers, appear in the September edition of the 23-year-old online magazine, long regarded as an important bellwether of travel trends across the region. Among the other top winners in the category were Raffles Sentosa Singapore, Mandarin Oriental Bangkok and The Peninsula Hong Kong. Both Azerai hotels are celebrated for delivering the attentive, personalized service that defines the boutique collection founded by legendary hotelier Adrian Zecha. Guests experience warm Vietnamese hospitality through discreet service, anticipatory care and thoughtful touches that create meaningful stays - whether in the peaceful coastal setting of Ke Ga Bay or amid the cultural heritage of the former imperial capital. Azerai Ke Ga Bay, an all-suites-and-villas resort, is located a comfortable 2.5-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City on a new highway. It sits on 4.5 hectares of lush gardens, framed to the east by Hon Ba Island with its historic lighthouse and to the west by soaring sand dunes. Azerai La Residence, Hue is centered around a 1930 colonial mansion originally built for the French Resident Superieur. Its distinctive streamline moderne art deco architecture features long horizontal lines and nautical details. "This ranking is a direct reflection of our team's genuine care and commitment to every guest," said Julian Moore, General Manager of Azerai Ke Ga Bay. "At Azerai Ke Ga Bay we strive to offer gentle luxury and personalized service that feels both effortless and heartfelt, allowing visitors to truly connect with the beauty and tranquility of our coastal home." "We are deeply honored by this recognition from Smart Travel Asia readers," added Minh Phan Trong, General Manager of Azerai La Residence, Hue. "Exceptional service is at the heart of everything we do. Our team's passion for sharing Hue's rich heritage through warm, attentive hospitality continues to define the guest experience at our historic property." This latest recognition follows earlier honors this year from Travel + Leisure, in which both Azerai properties were named among Vietnam's finest upcountry hotels (Azerai Ke Ga Bay at No. 5 and Azerai La Residence, Hue at No. 6), with Minh also recognized as one of Vietnam's top General Managers. Azerai Ke Ga Bay has also been selected as a finalist nominee in the "Best Beach Resort of the Year" in the Gourmet VIetnam Awards 2026. The Azerai brand is known for simple elegance, refined design and discreet, attentive service in places of unique beauty and cultural interest. ABOUT AZERAI Azerai is a distinctive story and brand of resorts offering guests elegance, refined design, and discreet and attentive service in places of unique beauty and cultural interest. The brand was formed by hotelier Adrian Zecha, and the name is derived from Zecha's initials and the latter part of a Persian word, caravanserai, which references the storied old inns of the Middle East.

Two luxury condos could reshape Daytona Beach Shores. By Clayton Park and Kairi Lowery, Daytona Beach News-Journal USA Today Network via Reuters Connect Updated September 8, 2026 3:56 PM Gift Article Multi-million dollar luxury condominium towers are a common sight in Florida's largest coastal cities like Miami or Tampa. In the Palm Coast, they're a rarity. That could soon change, though, as two developers are willing to spend millions of dollars in hopes of bringing more high-end clients to the Daytona Beach area. Valor Real Estate Development of Clearwater is currently working to build The Aston Martin Residences, an 18-floor luxury condominium building in collaboration with British carmaker Aston Martin, in Daytona Beach Shores. The planned 18-story, 86-unit building is expected to break ground in 2027, and offers condos ranging in price from $1.5 million to $10 million. "Florida's luxury condominium market remains remarkably strong, but today's buyers are sophisticated and increasingly selective," Moises Agami, CEO of Valor Real Estate Development, said. "They want exceptional locations, distinctive products and confidence that what they are buying will continue to be desirable over the long term." Crystal Anderson, the owner of Oceans Luxury Realty, is planning another luxury condo project down the road, the LIV condos. Construction will start on the 16-story, 74-unit building next year, and prices are expected to average $1 million for each condo. "What we're finding is that buyers really want the views and state-of-the-art amenities," said Anderson. "But in our area, you can't be so amenity-heavy that people can't afford it." Other state high-end real estate projects In South Florida, Property Markets Group (PMG) and Lion Development Group are teaming up to develop "the first music-branded residence in Miami": the Palm Tree Residences Miami. One project partners is music producer Kygo, who has worked with a number of recording artists, including Selena Gomez, Ed Sheeran and Imagine Dragons. The planned 37-story, 483-unit tower at 1018 N. Miami Ave. in downtown Miami is expected to be ready for occupancy in 2030. Prices start at $550,000. Miami-based PMG is partnering with LNDMRK Development to create "the first artist-branded residential development inspired by the work of Frida Kahlo." The influential early 20th century Mexican painter's life was the subject of the 2002 movie "Frida" starring Salma Hayek. The two-tower 244-unit Frida Kahlo Wynwood Residences in Miami's Wynwood arts district offers condos starting in the $500,000s. The project is slated for completion in 2029. Mandarin Oriental coming to West Palm Beach Toronto developer Great Gulf is partnering with Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group to create a 31-story, 87-unit luxury condo complex called Mandarin Oriental Residences, West Palm Beach. The waterfront project at 5400 N. Flagler Drive is expected to break ground in 2027 with a 2031 target completion date. Prices start at $3.5 million. Other West Palm Beach projects include Nora House, an 11-story, 117-unit complex in the city's downtown NORA district. The project is expected to break ground in 2027 with a 2029 completion target. Prices start at just under $2 million. The developers are NDT Development, Place Projects and Wheelock Street Capitol. Delray Beach-based Kolter Urban and Jupiter-based Perko Development Partners are teaming up to develop Maison d'Or, a 19-story, "ultra boutique waterfront condominium" in West Palm Beach. Each of the 39 units will offer "a highly private residential experience and sweeping water views." The project at 3705 S. Flagler Drive is expected to break ground by year's end with a late 2028 target completion date. Prices start at $5.7 million. Flagler County is also getting Ritz-Carlton condos In Flagler County, BH Group and Orlando's Unicorp National Developments are teaming up to develop The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Hammock Dunes. The planned twin-tower 12-story luxury condo project will offer 128 "private residences" on 6.8 acres of oceanfront property at 197-201 Avenue De La Mer in Palm Coast's Hammock Dunes area. The target completion date is 2027 or 2028. Prices start at $3 million. Florida's west coast home to many high-end projects, too In downtown St. Petersburg, Clearwater-based Valor plans to soon break ground on the 29-story, 164-unit Roche Bobois St. Pete Tower. The project at 344 4th St. South is slated for completion in 2029. Its features include "more than 20,000 square feet of lifestyle amenities furnished with bespoke Roche Bobois pieces," according to Valor. Roche Bobois is a French designer and manufacturer of high-end furniture. Prices for condos start at $600,000. PMG and St. Petersburg-based Feldman Equities are teaming up to develop a luxury condo project called Waldorf Astoria Residences St. Petersburg. Touted as "the city's first luxury hotel-branded residence," the 50-story tower will feature 163 units offering "a truly refined haven through the Waldorf Astoria brand's relentless commitment to personalized service." Construction is scheduled for completion in 2030. Prices start at $2.9 million. In downtown Sarasota, Kolter Urban is developing the 20-story, 117-unit 1000 Boulevard of the Arts. Touting "private resort-style amenities," the waterfront project is expected to break ground this fall with a 2028 target completion date. Prices start at $1.4 million. Ritz Carlton Residences, Sarasota Bay is a 20-story, 78-unit development nearing completion by year's end at 555 Quay Commons in downtown Sarasota. According to developer Kolter Urban, the condos will feature "Ritz-Carlton service and extensive waterfront wellness and resort-style amenities." Prices start at $3.7 million. PMG is partnering with Sarasota-based MoneyShow to develop One Park Sarasota, an 18-story, 86-unit complex under construction in downtown Sarasota. The project touts "lavish amenities and breathtaking views of Sarasota Bay, the city skyline, and unobstructed views of The Bay Park." Completion is slated for 2027. Prices start at $2.7 million. In Naples, Kolter Urban and Aventura-based BH Group are partnering to develop the six-story, 12-unit Olana Naples Residences at 1121 Gulf Shore Blvd. in the Coquina Sands neighborhood. The project featuring "estate-style" condos is expected to break ground this fall with a 2028 target completion date. The half-floor villas don't come cheap. Prices start at $30 million. Kolter Urban is also the developer of 3300 Gulf Shore, an eight-story, 51-unit condo project going up in Naples. The complex will feature a private marina with 16 boat slips, resort-style pools, a zen wellness center and a dedicated concierge for "seamless, luxury coastal living." The project is on track to be completed in late 2027. Prices start at $3.7 million. Clayton Park is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida. He covers everything from insurance, utilities and home prices to groceries, gas and auto prices as the Florida consumer pocketbook reporter. If you have news tips, please send them to [email protected]. You can get all of Florida's best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://news-journalonline.com/newsletters. Reporting by Clayton Park and Kairi Lowery, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect This story was originally published September 8, 2026 at 3:39 PM.