One&Only asserts commitment to UK trade

Speaking at ILTM in Cannes, Brett Armitage, Kerzner International’s senior vice president, international sales and marketing, told ttgluxury: "We believe this shows a strong commitment to the UK market, in particular our trade partners."

He said the new office would allow the brand to showcase its hotels by "bringing the product to life" for agents in a suitable environment; the UK team are currently based in Gerrards Cross in Buckinghamshire.

He added that head of leisure sales Lee Barker had also recently been joined by Craig Jeffs as sales manager for the UK. "And rest assured, this space will not a place for us to try and sell straight to the public. Our support for the trade is unwavering," said Armitage.

The new office on Brompton Road will however serve as a showroom for residential property sales. It will open in the spring with a kitchen and entertainment space in order to allow for events on-site.

Meanwhile, a major "transformational" overhaul of One&Only Le Saint Geran in Mauritius will start from February, when the resort will close for about 10 months.

"It’s a rebirth of one of the bedrocks of the company you see today and one of the key luxury hotels on Mauritius," said Armitage. "We own the property and are therefore completely committed to assessing every single detail and in enhancing the resort."

The resort’s nine-hole golf course will be converted into space for 48 villas - for sale, but with some available for rental in guest inventory - and a new recreational area.

"We want to be able to invite people into see us in the heart of London and get an idea of what we are doing as a brand and in the resorts," said Armitage.

The company’s Reethi Rah resort has also undergone a series of enhancements by original designer Jean-Michel Gathy.

The designer is also the creator of the group’s next opening, One&Only Sanya in China in 2017 and One&Only Portonovi in Montenegro, due to open in 2018. A resort in Bahrain will also open next year.