FOCUS Fall 2019 issue

P L A Z A P R E M I U M G R O U P. C O M

A U T U M N 2019

CRAFTING A GLOBAL AIRPORT EXPERIENCE A CONVERSATION WITH OUR INTERIOR DESIGNERS

MITCHEL SQUIRES AND KINNEY CHAN SHARE THEIR VISIONS BEHIND DESIGNING THE PERFECT AIRPORT JOURNEY

GRAND OPENINGS

AEROTEL LANDS IN BEIJING’S NEWEST DAXING INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AND LONDON HEATHROW TERMINAL 3

FIRST EVER GALLERY IN-LOUNGE ART EXHIBITION

PLAZA PREMIUM FIRST HONG KONG BRINGS IN IMMERSIVE ART EXPERIENCE WITH BEIJING POLY ART

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HIGHLIGHTS 44+

LOCATIONS

INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS

22 Plaza Premium Lounge Siem Reap

09 GLOBAL CELEBRATIONS Plaza Premium Group teams uplift every traveller’s journey by celebrating holidays and festivities when they are away from home.

10 CREATIVE VISIONARIES OF PLAZA PREMIUM LOUNGE AND AEROTEL Interior designers Mitchel Squires and Kinney Chan share their creative process and how they see the airport experience evolving.

COUNTRIES & REGIONS

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Aerotel Beijing reception

160+

AEROTEL OPENS AT BEIJING DAXING INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Aerotel Beijing, the brand’s first flagship location opens as the largest in-terminal international airport hotel in China.

AN IMMERSIVE ART EXPERIENCE AT PLAZA PREMIUM FIRST HONG KONG Plaza Premium First Hong Kong has teamed up with Beijing Poly Art to create the world’s first art exhibition held in an airport lounge.

Business Traveller Asia Pacific 2019 Awards

OUR GLOBAL NETWORK

World’s Best Independent Airport Lounge for Four Years in a Row

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CONNECTING WITH TRAVELLERS THROUGH THE ART OF DESIGN Plaza Premium Group continues to use design to create a sense of place, and add seamlessness to the travel experience.

The Thinker, at the lounge bay area

25 AMERICAN EXPRESS LOUNGE SYDNEY OPENS Managed by Plaza Premium Group, the Sydney team joins AMEX lounge’s big opening day.

AWARDS COMES IN PAIRS Plaza Premium Group continues its award-winning streak with new accolades bestowed by business and travel trade publications TTG Asia and Business Traveller Asia Pacific.

22 YOUR HOME ON THE GO

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We look forward to hearing from you!

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Designed by travellers for travellers, Aerotel is the key to travelling smart whether in transit or during early and late night arrivals and departures.

Business Development businessdevelopment@plaza-network.com

Corporate Communications and Media Enquiries pr@plaza-network.com

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Sales & Reservations sales@plaza-network.com

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FEATURE

DESIGN-SAVVY JOURNEYS As airports evolve to meet the demands of today’s traveller, Plaza Premium Group continues to use design as a means to connect with travellers, create a sense of place, and add a seamlessness to the travel experience.

Text by Nicholas Walton

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ook at pictures of airports past, and you’re libel to see some significant changes from the hubs we visit today. Airports were previously utilitarian affairs, designed to move people as efficiently as possible. However, airport authorities are increasingly turning to design to make that movement as comfortable and enjoyable for travellers as possible. As a pioneer of airport hospitality Plaza Premium Group remains at the forefront of this travel design movement, with intuitive design concepts, user-friendly lounges, insightful dining experiences and innovative transit hotels.

Leading with Design Today’s airport is one designed to not only facilitate travel but to also seduce travellers to spend time (and money) there as part of their overall travel experience, using infusions of art, culture, technology and gastronomy.

Examples of this progression can be found at many Plaza Premium Group venues. From Plaza Premium Lounge London Heathrow signature gin bar; and Plaza Premium Lounge at Rio de Janeiro, where walls are adorned with works by local graffiti artists; to the innovative retail corner planned for Plaza Premium Lounge Dubai, the company has made the creation of airport experiences that offer a sense of place one of its fundamental design pillars and a guiding ethos for its lounges and airport hotels.

Appealing to Today’s Traveller Part of this evolution is understanding the changing needs of today’s traveller.

For example, the AeroBar at Plaza Premium First Hong Kong not only serves delectable cocktails and wines, but also coffee, mocktails, teas and desserts.

An express service area recognises that some travellers are short of time and offers drinks and light bites for those on the go.

“Co-working and co-living have also been evolving trends,” says Chamil Liyanage, Plaza Premium Group’s Head of Lounges. “We have been incorporating more communal spaces into our venues and they have been well received amongst millennials looking for spaces in which to congregate and connect.” Airport lounges must cater to a variety of traveller types, from corporate to leisure, solo to groups, and must offer facilities and amenities to each. Effective design, from furniture placement to dedicated areas for families and business travellers, allows lounges to appeal to every traveller and meet their different needs.

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Sustainability is Key Airports and airport hospitality companies are also tapping into a growing interest in sustainability.

From the materials used, to the practices that are implemented, sustainability is of major importance to today’s traveller. Airports have responded with bold yet environmentally sustainable designs that minimise water waste, maximise the power of the sun, and keep travellers cool without leaving a negative impact on the planet.

Plaza Premium Group has also implemented sustainable practices at its hotels and lounges, including water filter stations in Langkawi, where travellers can fill up their own reusable bottles; and at Aerotel hotels, where small toiletry bottles have been replaced with larger, refillable bottles.

Tackling Tech Today travellers expect to stay connected at every point of their journey. Plaza Premium Group has long catered to tech-savvy travellers, with universal power sockets and USB ports, wi-fi-connected printers, and dedicated workstations.

However, there’s more to tech design than facilitating a phone charger. “Travellers nowadays are all about being connected,” says Liyanage.

Dessert selection at AeroBar at Plaza Premium First Hong Kong

FEATURE Plaza Premium Lounge Siem Reap

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FEATURE Plaza Premium Lounge Cebu, Domestic Arrivals

“Zoning is crucial - we wouldn’t want to have a lounge’s workstation too close to the main lounge area as we want to ensure they are effective spaces for travellers. This can be challenging when we are working with a small space. Inspired by busy bees, our honeycomb workstations provide travellers with a personal workspace that’s also equipped with outlets.

You’ll find examples of this revolutionary set up at Plaza Premium Lounge in Taipei and Siem Reap.”

Balancing Ambiance, Service & Facilities Beyond architecture and sustainability, there are many design elements that can positively impact the travel experience, and many can be found within Plaza Premium Lounge venues. “Our core values at Plaza Premium Group are providing comfort, convenience, value, love and care to our guests,” says Liyanage. “The design of each of our lounges reflects these values.”

Taking the lounge experience to the next level, every aspect of the space’s ambiance has been carefully considered, including curated art for 6

Honeycomb workstations at Plaza Premium Lounge Taipei

the walls. In addition to the graffiti mural in Brazil, the Group’s Cebu lounge features works constructed from locally sourced wood, while the Taipei lounge boasts a hand-crafted city skyline, and the spaces in Langkawi and Siem Reap showcase the local heritage through black and white photography.

A new collaboration with Beijing Poly Art showcases art pieces themed around travel, while the architecture of the lounge in Rome was inspired by the iconic Colosseum.

Continuing the design theme, the customdesigned furniture used in Plaza Premium Lounges is not only comfortable but also stylish. A recently installed 24-hour seasonal music playlist features tracks that evolve through the day, while muted, cosy lighting ensures guests enter a space that’s calm and relaxing. In addition, patterned partitions help to define leach lounge’s zones, from dining and relaxation to work, and, in the case of Dubai, include private resting cabins inspired by first class cabins.

The use of zones in Plaza Premium Lounge allows each venue to appeal to travellers with different

D E S I G N - S A V V Y J OF UE RA TN UE RY SE

Plaza Premium Lounge Rome

Infinity room at Plaza Premium First Hong Kong

needs. “Working with different spaces is one of the key challenges in our business,” says Liyanage.

“Whether you’re working with a large or small space, it all comes down to appreciating the use of space and how we control the flow of our guests.”

Plaza Premium Lounges uses different seating and furniture styles to help define these areas, which in turn allow guests to seek out a space that best caters to their needs while creating a seamless customer journey experience for travellers.

Zones are also an important differentiator between the Plaza Premium Lounge and Plaza Premium First brands. Plaza Premium First Hong Kong features a distinctive layout that sees the bar located next to the entrance so that it becomes a social hotspot at which guests can mingle. The Primo dining area is also a social space, while the Infinity Room offers a quiet respite for travellers looking for privacy. Lounge spaces with both Plaza Premium Lounge and Plaza Premium First concepts will soon open in Jakarta, as the group’s biggest venue to date, and in Toronto, as North America’s first “mega lounge”.

Black and white heritage photography at Plaza Premium Lounge Siem Reap

WHETHER YOU’RE WORKING WITH A LARGE OR SMALL SPACE, IT ALL COMES DOWN TO APPRECIATING THE USE OF SPACE AND HOW WE CONTROL THE FLOW OF OUR GUESTS Haute Houses of Slumber Plaza Premium Group’s groundbreaking Aerotel brand has also applied intelligent design to the traditional airport hotel. The two hotel brands – Aerotel Airport Transit Hotels and Refreshhh by Aerotel – have each found a perfect balance between convenience, practicality, comfort and hospitality for time-poor travellers seeking flexible, user-centric accommodation. This diversification also allows the Aerotel brand to better cater to different traveller profiles, with different room categories appealing to solo and corporate travellers and communal spaces ideally suited to families and friends travelling together.

A focus on offering travellers the chance to refresh and recharge – whether it’s a power nap or a well-earned shower – is fundamental to the Aerotel brand, as is wellness, along with many Aerotel properties featuring dedicated fitness corners so guests can fit in a workout before flying out.

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FEATURE

Refreshhh by Aerotel in Hong Kong

Swimming pool at Aerotel Singapore

Double Plus Queen room at Aerotel Kuala Lumpur

“Building a hotel inside the terminal presents a whole new set of challenges and limitations,” says Suresh Kumar, Plaza Premium Group’s Director of Hotels. “We are constantly reinventing traditional ways of doing things by being more flexible and thinking out of the box as our brand promise is to bring convenience and comfort to travellers.”

Aerotel properties do just that, offering stylish, design-driven amenities for travellers transiting or catching very early or late flights. In contrast to traditional hotels, where guests stay a minimum of 24 hours and often several days, Aerotel’s innovative and practical rooms feature power showers, intimate lighting, and contemporary, minimalist interiors that allows the guest to get quality rest before their journey.

It’s also more than just intuitive facilities. “In terms of colour and style, minimalism has been very popular and is seen as more ‘modern’ says Kumar, “Plaza Premium Lounge and Aerotel have also adopted this trend, implementing a minimal and uncluttered design that helps travellers feel at ease.” Colour plays an important role at every Aerotel; in contrast to the bold, eye-catching colours 8

Game room at Aerotel Beijing

WE ARE CONSTANTLY REINVENTING TRADITIONAL WAYS OF DOING THINGS BY BEING MORE FLEXIBLE AND THINKING OUT OF THE BOX used in airport concourses, each with an underlying message for travellers looking to navigate their way to their gate or exits, Aerotel properties feature calming, soothing hues which not only offer a sense of place but also a sense of security and relaxation for weary travellers.

Facilities range from social spaces like Library Lounge, to swimming pools and games room. “It all depends on the location,” says Kumar. “For example, at Aerotel Singapore we get a lot of outbound travellers from Australia that appreciate an outdoor pool.”

The brand’s newest opening, Aerotel Beijing, is the Group’s new flagship property with 215 rooms that can accommodate all kinds of travellers including solo travellers, to couples and families from its six different room categories complimented by a Library Lounge that can sit up to 200 guests. The hotel also offers three multiple purpose meeting rooms, a gym and games room. “The approach to this opening is quite different; being in the world’s largest airport terminal there is a mix of guest from various segments thus we added the facilities taking into account each needs of the leisure and business guest as well as families.” says Kumar.

EXPERIENCE

Butter Chicken Masala

Allways team escorting family travellers 1

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Arctic themed cocktails at Plaza Premium Lounge Helsinki

Saudi National Day at Plaza Premium Lounge Abu Dhabi

GLOBAL CELEBRATIONS AROUND THE WORLD, PLAZA PREMIUM GROUP CELEBRATES THE HOLIDAYS WITH ITS VALUED PARTNERS AND CUSTOMERS ENSURING EVERY TRAVELLER DEPARTS FEELING PART OF THE FESTIVITIES.

1. “Butter Chicken Masala is a combination of authentic masala paste along with roasted tandoori chicken. This is one of our signature Diwali dishes. May the spices and subtle flavours from this Indian delicacy illuminate your airport experience.

Happy Diwali!”

Husni Ibrahim, Acting Food & Beverage Manager, Plaza Premium Group, South East Asia

3. “Christmas is a time when we see lots of families travelling for the holidays and nothing means more to our team than to bring our guests warmth and heartfelt hospitality. We try to create something for everyone in the family, from our special Arctic cocktails to our Playroom, where we provide durable and safe wooden toys that encourage children to learn.”

Emre Cakir, General Manager of Plaza Premium Lounge Helsinki

2. “With the holiday season fast approaching, it has given the Plaza Premium Group DFW team time to reflect on what is most important when it comes to this time of year. I find myself thankful for such wonderful team members, who put the needs of others before their own. They show up daily, with their servant’s heart, to ensure that the passengers who we serve, depart feeling that their travel has been made better.”

Richard LeBouff, General Manager of Plaza Premium Group, Dallas Fort Worth

4. “We recently celebrated Saudi National Day at Plaza Premium Lounge Abu Dhabi with the Saudi Airlines team and passengers.

We decorated the lounge with Saudi Arabian flags, prepared native Saudi delicacies and had a lovely cake cutting ceremony. It’s always a great pleasure to host guests in our lounge and to be a part of their joyful celebration. We always take the effort to go an extra mile to make our guests happy.”

Omar Khmir, Senior Duty Manager, Abu Dhabi, UAE

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VIEW FROM THE TOP

Interior Designer Mitchel Squires from Mitchel Squires & Associates

Interior Designer Kinney Chan from Kinney Chan and Associates

JOURNEYS BY DESIGN Interior designers Mitchel Squires and Kinney Chan are the creative driving forces behind many Plaza Premium Lounges and Aerotel properties. They describe their creative process and how they see the airport experience evolving.

What makes good airport lounge design?

SQUIRES: Functionality, ambience and most importantly the passenger experience. The best lounge design immediately evokes a sense of excitement and comfort for the user.

What’s the design concept for Plaza Premium Lounge and Aerotel and where do you draw inspiration?

CHAN: Our main focus is to create an oasis in a busy city, a space where guests can feel relaxed and comfortable. It’s not about creating a resort feel but a place people can be calm and relaxed before they travel.

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SQUIRES: It’s very important for any brand to have its own signature DNA that customers can relate to. Airport lounge planning and design is very different to that of an airport hotel. For a start, the time spent is different, and the way in which someone uses the hotel is different. In fact, the focus would be sleep vs. lounging, and with that in mind we may consider different configurations, colours, and materials.

As a global network, it is important for venues to balance design consistency and elements that give a sense of place - how do you strike that balance?

CHAN: All Aerotels and lounges have a design DNA - ranging from facilities to interiors to the art selected - that creates a sense of environment and a signature ambience. At the same time all the different spaces have a sense of location.

For example, in Plaza Premium Lounge Taipei we have created a reception with artwork themed around Taipei City, and in Rio de Janeiro we worked with local

VIEW FROM THE TOP

Library Lounge at Aerotel Singapore

Plaza Premium Lounge Brisbane

artists and created interiors using local materials that feature the colours of the Brazilian flag. Even at London Heathrow, we have used locally sourced art pieces to create a sense of place. Every location has local touches to ensure guests know where they are. The design also goes beyond art; in Hong Kong we have used a tunnel effect to enhance the arrival experience, so guests get the sense that they have arrived somewhere new and inviting and relaxing. Guests will immediately know they are in a Plaza Premium Lounge or an Aerotel property - whether they are in Hong Kong or Abu Dhabi - and they will also notice aspects that bring the destination to life.

SQUIRES: I think as a brand, consistency and customer experience is crucial.

As long as the customer service and experience is the same globally, I believe the design and architecture can look different from location to location. Bespoke design is always well received by old and new passengers.

requirements, and we need to understand those customer’s needs to create the right balance. This means providing travellers with places where they can eat and drink and relax and even work, whether its workstations with good Wi-Fi connectivity or dedicated meeting rooms, like at Aerotel Beijing.

It’s all about meeting the needs of the customer.

Of the lounges you have designed for us, which one would be your favourite?

SQUIRES: Plaza Premium Lounge Brisbane. As I’m Australian, designing this lounge was particularly close to my heart. We paid very close attention to the local materials used throughout the lounge while reducing the carbon footprint and giving a very authentic Australian experience and feel.

What do you think is most crucial when conceptualising an airport hotel?

SQUIRES: The idea of an airport hotel begins with the convenience of its location within the airport for any transiting passenger. Fundamental to the concept is that passengers experience comfort and convenience while in transit. Also, the public spaces are equally as important in an Aerotel as the rooms; the public spaces are very much social spaces and as they are usually limited, it’s important that the experience doesn’t feel confined.

What makes a good airport lounge and airport hotel and how can the spaces be both stylish and functional?

CHAN: The first thing we do is study the customer needs; travellers are all different, some are just transiting or in a rush, and some are staying at the airport for a number of hours. Some are on holiday and some are working, so all have different

What drives your design inspiration and what are some key challenges?

CHAN: First, when I begin on a design, I need to study the space and understand the circulation of the customer so we can understand the initial 11

VIEW FROM THE TOP

Plaza Premium Lounge Helsinki

zoning of the lounge – where will the social areas be, where will the wellness areas be, where will the relaxation areas be and how will customers flow through the space. Then we look at style and what is available. For example, some lounges have natural light and even a view, while others don’t have natural light. We need to create a space that matches with the physical characteristics of the lounge. There’s no single formula, and everything is a factor, including things like ceiling height. Every airport is different and has different travellers, so we match the market with the space.

Colours play a role in influencing traveller’s state of mind, emotions and wellbeing, is there a reason behind the use of neutral tones at the lounges and a brighter colour palette at Aerotel? Are both brands aiming to evoke different emotions?

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CHAN: Aerotel is quite different from normal hotels, which have different objectives and functions. Aerotel properties have to help guests refresh quickly so they can continue with their journey. This means the focus is on creating convenience and comfort.

We tend to use brighter colours in the Aerotel rooms because the room size is relatively smaller than a conventional hotel and we use colour to make the space brighter and calming. In terms of lounges, different lounges have different approaches. For example, if there is no natural light, we will tend to create an ambience that’s darker and more dramatic, which in turn is more relaxing so when guests arrive they find a space that’s conducive to relaxation.

What do you think the future of lounge design will be?

SQUIRES: I believe the future lounge will be heavily

VIEW FROM THE TOP

I BELIEVE THE FUTURE LOUNGE WILL BE HEAVILY FOCUSED ON THE TRAVELLER EXPERIENCE, COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE

Illustration of future airport lounge

focused on the traveller experience, comfort and convenience. Technology and self-automated services will play a huge part in developing the airport lounges of the future. I guess the big question is how you to become more high-tech and high-touch at the same time, how do we add the element of a human touch when we digitalise most things. I think personalisation would be a big part of it, especially in the field of design.

What’s your ideal airport experience?

CHAN: I am a frequent traveller and every time I travel, I will visit the lounge. I like to refresh before I board a flight, with a drink and a bite to eat, but I also like the sense of privilege that comes with a lounge visit. Many airport lounges are only open to business class passengers, but Plaza Premium Lounges are available to everyone, so the lounge offers a sense of privilege, which is always a nice way to start any trip.

SQUIRES: My travel style is heavily based on business travel. A well-designed and comfortable lounge area where I can work and relax at the same time is where I will spend the majority of my time.

Furniture selection and ambience is key to the success of this zone.

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NEW OPENINGS

Aerotel Beijing reception

AEROTEL BEIJING OPENS AS THE LARGEST IN-TERMINAL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT HOTEL IN CHINA

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s part of the brand’s strategic expansion in China, Aerotel, the largest chain of interminal airport hotels, has opened at the new Beijing Daxing International Airport. The new two-storey hotel, located in the airport’s Northeast pier, spans more than 9,000sqm and delivers 215 guestrooms to one of the country’s most important international gateways.

Multi-function room at Aerotel Beijing

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Superior Double room at Aerotel Beijing

Design-driven and contemporary, the new Aerotel hotel is the airport’s only in-terminal hotel and is one of the world’s largest of its kind. A crucial facility for travellers taking early flights or landing late at night, the hotel is located a five-minute walk from the nearest domestic check-in counters and only ten minutes from the international check-in hall.

In keeping with Aerotel’s strong design drive, Aerotel Beijing’s public spaces boast captivating art works, including murals of Beijing’s architectural heritage in the reception, while guestrooms possess a modern and refined design persona that includes timber floors and the application of natural light.

Guestrooms range from Superior Singles and Superior Doubles to Deluxe Doubles, Family Rooms and accessible rooms, all of which have been designed to ensure a great sleep and a refreshing stay, thanks to quality bedding, pillow options, soothing lightings and powerful showers. More than just a space in which travellers can rest, Aerotel Beijing offers guests the chance to stay connected, with high-speed Wi-Fi and IPTV connectivity, and to socialise in public spaces adorned with textured carpets and bespoke furniture. A Fitness Corner allows travellers an opportunity to work up a sweat during their stay, and a dedicated Games Room features a full-sized billiard table, while the signature Library Lounge serves both buffet and a la carte menus and caters to 192 guests.

Aerotel Beijing is also the first Aerotel property to cater to business travellers with dedicated meeting rooms. Two main meeting spaces and one VIP room are equipped with audio and visual systems and cater to meetings, intimate social gatherings, and private dinners.

NEW OPENINGS

ONLY IN-TERMINAL HOTEL AT HEATHROW’S TERMINAL 3

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omplementing the existing Skytrax-award winning Plaza Premium Lounges at Terminals 2, 3, 4 & 5, Aerotel London Heathrow delivers a modern, user-friendly in-terminal, landside hotel experience for busy airline travellers.

Located at the Arrivals Hall of Terminal 3, the new two-level hotel offers 82 design-driven guestrooms across its Solo Plus, Double Plus and Family Room configurations. Each benefits from hand-picked fabrics and linens, powerful showers, soothing light schemes, and high speed Wi-Fi. The new Aerotel offers the convenience of flexible booking packages that allow guests to book, check-in and access facilities around the clock. The hotel boasts an allday dining outlet that serves a variety of hot and

Double Plus room at Aerotel London Heathrow

cold dishes, as well as social spots like the Library Lounge, where guests can read, work, or socialise during their visit. The hotel is a five-minute walk from the central bus station, a six-minute walk from the Heathrow Express, and within 10-minute access to Terminals 2, 4 and 5. “Our award-winning Plaza Premium Lounges at Terminal 2, 3, 4 and 5 have been well received for the variety of services,” says Song Hoi-see, Founder and CEO of Plaza Premium Group. “Our international guests are now asking for a comfortable space in which to sleep when they land early or late at night, while London residents taking morning and late-night flights are looking for a spot to chill or power nap before boarding. Aerotel London Heathrow is our answer to travellers’ pain points.”

Reception at Aerotel London Heathrow

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NE VE EWN TO SP E N I N G S

NEW ARRIVALS LOUNGE FOR MACTAN CEBU’S DOMESTIC TERMINAL

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laza Premium Lounge has opened the doors of its new Domestic Arrivals lounge at Terminal 1 at Mactan Cebu International Airport in the Philippines. Designed for travellers arriving in Cebu, a destination known for its wide range of adventure,

natural and historical attractions, the new lounge brims with character and will appeal to both business and leisure travellers.

Located in the airside of the airport, the new 3,000 sqft lounge is open 24 hours a day and offers travellers a broad spectrum of services and facilities, including a kitchen with live cooking stations, comfortable seating, shower suites, and recharging stations. The brand’s Playroom concept, which was conceived in collaboration with international toy brand Masterkidz, is available at the International Departures, Terminal 2 location. Guests are greeted at reception by a bespoke hand-painted mural of Cebu’s iconic beach landscape, while the lounge’s interiors are influenced by the Spanish colonial period. With the use of traditional arch-shaped mirrors and bankaray, a locally sourced wood, adding a touch of softness to the overall ambiance.

The airport’s second Plaza Premium Lounge location following the opening of the first Plaza Premium Lounge at Terminal 2 (International Departures), the new space joins the award-winning network of independent airport lounges, which currently boasts more than 70 locations at over 35 international airports globally.

Plaza Premium Lounge Cebu, Domestic Arrivals

AEROTEL KUALA LUMPUR ADDS ADDITIONAL ROOMS

Solo room at Aerotel Kuala Lumpur

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Designed to provide a restful and convenient place for travellers to refresh and recharge while travelling through the Malaysian capital, Aerotel Kuala Lumpur further extends its facilities. The property is a selectservice airport lodging which focuses on convenient service packages such as shower room access, massages and rooms for power naps. The extension consists of 17 rooms, eight massage cabins and three shared shower rooms.

Massage Cabin at Aerotel Kuala Lumpur

EVENTS 1.6-metre tall Revelation by artist Fan Xiaoyan next to AeroBar

ART IN MOTION People travel for many reasons, often to further ignite their passions, for new cultures, gastronomy, architecture and even art. But why does that sense of discovery have to wait until travellers reach their destination?

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n a ground-breaking move designed to inspire travellers as they begin their journey, Plaza Premium First Hong Kong has teamed up with Beijing Poly Art, which specialises in contemporary art solutions for corporate clients, to create the world’s first art exhibition to be held in an airport lounge.

Part of Plaza Premium First’s commitment to create an elevated and refined airport hospitality experience for global travellers, the new “Return to Your Heart” collection, which comprises oil and ink paintings and sculptures offers Hong Kong lounge guests the opportunity to explore the artistic themes of nature and humanity from now until 31 December 2019.

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EVENTS

Beijing Poly Art has been a pioneer of the Chinese art scene, advocating greater corporate engagement in the national and regional art scene while integrating domestic and overseas contemporary art resources to create curated contemporary art collections that represent new value for corporations.

The new exhibition sees art pieces meticulously integrated into the space of Plaza Premium First Hong Kong, creating an in-lounge art journey for guests to explore.

To celebrate the new collaboration, an intimate launch party at Plaza Premium First Hong Kong was held on 16 October 2019 in Hong Kong International Airport. With more than 50 guests from airlines, banks, corporates and influencers, everyone indulged themselves in delicious canapĂŠs and drinks amidst the art inspired ambiance. Yixiao Li, curator from Beijing Poly Art introduced the collection and shared the stories behind the art pieces.

Scan to view video and details

The Thinker by artist Tian Wei, at the lounge bay area

William Chan from Club ZFU with Song Hoi-see from Plaza Premium Group

Emily Ip, Simon Shing and Queenie Lam from FWD Hong Kong with Natalie Ng from Plaza Premium Group

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Alan Chung from Malaysia Airlines, Lilian Cheah from Malindo Airlines, Angela Ang from Malaysian Airlines and Fangxiu Han from Shenzhen Airlines

Steven Chung, Qatar Airways with Song Hoi-see and Natalie Ng from Plaza Premium Group

Yixiao Li, Curator from Beijing Poly Art

EVENTS

Toshiya Shimada from ANA with Song Hoi-see and Natalie Ng from Plaza Premium Group

David Chau, Sau King Choi and Winnie Fung from China Construction Bank with Natalie Ng, Johnson Wong, Song Hoi-see and Jenny Zhang from Plaza Premium Group

Dick Chan, Stan Kwong and Joey Tse fron Finnair with Polly Wan and Keira Cheng from Plaza Premium Group

Carol Yeung and Jeffrey Kam from American Express with Song Hoi-see, Natalie Ng and Johnny Wan from Plaza Premium Group

Peter Chang and Katie Lai from Eva Air with Song Hoi-see from Plaza Premium Group

Greg Ng from Aegle with Keira Cheng from Plaza Premium Group

Michael Fabiyi from Centurion Lounge, American Express

David Chau from China Construction Bank (Asia)

David Law from Hong Kong Four Seas Tours, Emily Chaw from Lufthansa Group, Stanton Book from CTM with Natalie Ng from Plaza Premium Group

Daniel Small, Anna Chu and Maggie Liu from HSBC with Song Hoi-see and Natalie Ng from Plaza Premium Group

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AWARDS

Plaza Premium Group Founder & CEO Song Hoi See received the Business Traveller Asia Pacific award from presenter Chung To, Founder of Chi Heng Foundation

(L to R) Xu Yun, Former Chairperson of Sino Splendid Holdings Limited; Maggie Leung, Plaza Premium Group; Darren Ng, Managing Director of TTG Asia Media

DOUBLE HAPPINESS Plaza Premium Group continues its award-winning streak with new accolades bestowed by business and travel trade publications TTG Asia and Business Traveller Asia Pacific.

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laza Premium Group has been named Best Airport Lounge Operator for the second time in a row in the recent TTG Asia Travel Awards.

The awards, which see members of the travel and tourism industry voting for companies that have displayed excellence in their given field, are among the highest accolades in the global travel scene.

Guided by the vision of “Making Travel Better” for all travellers, the Group, which manages the world’s largest network of independent, pay-per-use airport lounges, was recognised for its on-going efforts to elevate the customer experience and service quality through a refinement of its culinary offerings, the enhancement of the online booking journey, and by adding value for family travellers. This includes the introduction earlier this year of the Playroom initiative, which was debuted at lounges in Helsinki and Cebu.

In addition, Plaza Premium First Hong Kong has been awarded Best Independent Airport Lounge by Business Traveller Asia Pacific magazine, replacing at the top spot sister venue Plaza Premium Lounge Hong Kong Gate

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40, which was still recognised among the top three placements. The Business Traveller awards are voted for by over 30,000 frequent travellers, who take an average of 19 business trips each year.

Primo at Plaza Premium First Hong Kong

AWARDS

CELEBRATIONS CONTINUE

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laza Premium Lounge at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi, has been recognised as Asia’s Leading Domestic Airport Lounge 2019 by World Travel Awards. Plaza Premium Lounge operates more than 15 lounges across India including in Ahmedabad, New Delhi and Hyderabad. The annual World Travel Award celebrates excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries and is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence.

Plaza Premium Lounge India has also been bestowed the Favourite Airport Lounge Food award at the prestigious PeakLife Gourmet Award 2019, held at Eros Hotel, New Delhi.

The PeakLife Gourmet Award is a national accolade that celebrates the best food experiences from across the travel industry.

In Taiwan, the Cathay Pacific Lounge, managed

by Plaza Premium Group has won the Best Living Room category of the airport awards, while in Malaysia, six members of the Plaza Premium Lounge and Aerotel Malaysia team walked away with Best Front Liner awards during the 2019 CARE SUMMIT, organised by Malaysia Airports. CARE is a unit under the Corporate Communication Division of Malaysia Airports which reviews customers’ feedback with regards to the airport operations and service quality, including that of its tenants.

Cheng Siew Yee, Regional Head of Marketing Communications of South East Asia represents Plaza Premium Lounge India, Indira Gandhi International Airport at World Travel Awards 2019 ceremony

(L to R) Mohan Limbu, RGM of Plaza Premium Group, India, Rashmi Uday Singh and Bhavya Kukreja, General Manager, PR & Marcom of Plaza Premium Group India

CARE Summit 2019

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EXPERIENCE

AEROTEL: YOUR HOME ON THE GO

F

or today’s traveller, nothing is more important than spending the time between A and B as wisely and efficiently as possible. Whether they’re flying for work or pleasure, travellers are looking for airport experiences that allow them to not only make the most of their time between destinations, but to also ensure that experience is safe, comfortable and reliable.

In direct response to changing travel trends, Plaza Premium Group launched the Aerotel brand in 2016.

Now with two sub-brands – Aerotel Airport Transit Hotels and Refreshhh by Aerotel, a select service with napping rooms, shower facilities and massage service – it is a global network that counts some of the world’s most important hubs as destinations, including Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Kuala Lumpur, Rio de Janeiro, Singapore, Cebu, Muscat and Abu Dhabi. Aerotel offers travellers the comforts of home when they’re furthest from theirs, and its network continues to grow with a new 215-room hotel at Beijing Daxing International Airport, the largest in-terminal international airport hotel in China, and an 82-room location at Heathrow.

Aerotel in-terminal hotels are located either airside or landside, offering arrival, transit and departure travellers ultimate convenience; by the time arrival travellers are locating shuttle buses to distant “airport hotels”, guests staying at Aerotel properties will already be settling into their designsavvy room thanks to seamless check-in processes, attentive service and guest spaces designed by and for travellers.

With flexible booking rates based on blocks of hours that unlike traditional hotels cater to travellers’ schedules, Aerotel hotels offer room configurations that will appeal to all traveller types.

These unique properties cater to long layovers and flight delays or cancellations, as well as early morning or late-night departures with a range of guestrooms catering to single travellers, couples or groups travelling together.

These designer cabins feature handpicked quality mattresses and curated pillow menus, as well as high speed internet and charging connectivity, and a choice of ensuite, shared or standalone shower rooms (depending on location) boasting modern facilities, including powerful showers.

In addition, selected properties feature casual dining and wellness experiences, from an outdoor swimming pool in Singapore and an indoor pool in Abu Dhabi to a fitness corner in Singapore, and fitness, games and meeting rooms in Beijing.

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Massage & Beauty

Wake-up Call Service

Food & Beverage

Swimming Pool

Laundry Service

Complimentary High-Speed Wi-Fi

Fitness Corner

Business Centre

1

2

3

1. Entrance of Library Lounge at Aerotel Singapore 2. Fitness room at Aerotel Beijing 3. Swimming pool at Aerotel Muscat 4. Library Lounge at Aerotel Guangzhou

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W H AT ’ S U P # P P G FA M I LY

THE LATEST HAPPENINGS IN THE WORLD OF PLAZA PREMIUM GROUP

Jonathan Song, Business Development Director of Plaza Premium Group, recently joined a panel discussion at the 2019 AMAC Business Diversity Conference, in Los Angeles. Song joined other leading industry experts from Flying Leap, JCDecaux, Secure Wrap and LA Airport Lounge Development to discuss the topic of “Beyond Concessions” and where he shared his thoughts on the importance of creating a global 360-degree airport hospitality experience.

GROUP

(L to R) Suresh Kumar, Group Director of Hotels; Becky Lim, Managing Director of Commercial, Sales and Chamil Liyanage, Group Director of Lounges

Plaza Premium Group has appointed Chamil Liyanage as Group Director of Lounges, tasked with leading the operations of Plaza Premium First, Plaza Premium Lounge and Allways airport meet and greet services. In addition, Suresh Kumar has been named Group Director of Hotels and manages Aerotel and Refreshhh by Aerotel brands under the hotel division; while Becky Lim takes on the role of Group Managing Director of Commercial, spearheading the company’s global commercial product and sales strategy.

Jonathan Song with Brian May from Day One Group

Marketing team led by Plaza Premium Group CEO and Founder Song Hoi-see and Group Marketing Director Janis Tse at Global Marketing Conference 2019

Plaza Premium Group recently held its Global Marketing Conference 2019 in Hong Kong, with regional and country marketing managers attending from Southeast Asia, Canada, Brazil, India, the Middle East, China, Australia and Hong Kong. The event was an opportunity for marketing teams to align their business objectives and share global marketing strategies, while also listening to a guest speaker from iClick, who shared insights from the world of digital marketing.

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W H AT ’ S U P # P P G FA M I LY

Uttar Pradesh’s Pro Kabaddi League 2019 team with Plaza Premium Lounge India team

INDIA

Plaza Premium Lounge has reaffirmed its sponsorship of Uttar Pradesh’s Pro Kabaddi League 2019. A cultural game enjoyed across India, the players of Kabaddi, known as “yoddas”, capture the warrior spirit of the state of Uttar Pradesh, and Plaza Premium Lounge India is proud to continue supporting players by offering access to lounges in India.

I TA LY

UAE

Tango dancing performance at Argentinian & Italian Food Week launch event

Plaza Premium Lounge Rome recently celebrated Argentinian & Italian Food Week in collaboration with Associazione Nazionale Doc Italy, an association dedicated to promoting Italian quality across the world. With over 100 guests and partners at the event, the lounge in Rome transformed into a street market showcasing fresh produce while dancers performed tangos outside for arriving guests, who had the opportunity to try both Italian and Argentinian specialties.

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Roy Ho, Assistant Manager of Learning & Development and Linda Song, Executive Director from Plaza Premium Group HQ with Dubai team

Consistency is key to maintaining Plaza Premium Group’s best in class service standards, and the Group’s HQ team recently visited new employees in Dubai for an eventful week of training. New staff had the opportunity to gain knowledge about the Group’s culture and valuable insights into the airport hospitality industry. Linda Song, Executive Director of the Group also further reinforced the company’s core values and the importance of providing best-in-class standard of service.

W H AT ’ S U P # P P G FA M I LY

H O N G KO N G

Plaza Premium First celebrates its first anniversary this summer in Hong Kong International Airport with a month-long celebration. From 25 July until 31 August, the latest elevated lounge concept by Plaza Premium Group introduced new exclusive dishes and drinks and celebrated guest’s birthday with a number of surprising delights and offered special online booking promotions. Plaza Premium Group Hong Kong supported Fairyland, a charitable social welfare organisation, by gathering the regional and HQ teams this September to join an “Easy Hike” to The Peak, followed by a flag selling activity that will benefit those with disabilities.

Birthday Treat at Plaza Premium First Hong Kong

S I N GA P O R E

Plaza Premium Group Hong Kong team supports Fairyland organisation at flag day

AUSTRALIA

Managed by Plaza Premium Group, the new American Express Lounge opened its doors in Sydney this month. This new lounge has tripled the capacity of the previous space, as well as a dedicated open kitchen that will serve a new menu of a la carte options including made-to-order pizza, pasta, and stir fry dishes. With a move towards sustainability, beer and chilled wines will be available on tap, eliminating thousands of glass bottles each year.

Instameet at TGM Singapore

The Green Market (TGM), a part or Plaza Premium Group dining concepts was honoured to take part in hosting influencer, Stromscape and his fans further to his participation in Singapore Changi Airport Group’s Instameet event – Changi Creator.

As the prime restaurant host, the TGM team and head chef Calvin Cheah prepared an array of inventive JAKO (fusion of Japanese and Korean) dishes for everyone to enjoy.

(L to R) Nicola Tan from American Express, Christina Routsios from Plaza Premium Lounge Australia, Nadine March (AE), Naysla Edwards (AE), Stuart Vella (PPL), Penelope Chris (AE), and Emma Mallinson (AE) Credit: Kat Stanley Photography

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PA RT N E R S H I P S

CHINA In celebration of 11.11, also known as China’s eShopping day, Plaza Premium Group has partnered with JingDong, a subsidiary of Tencent, one of the biggest of China’s social eCommerce giants. From 25 October until 30 November, JD Plus members can download eCoupons on their JD mobile app to enjoy up to 30% off access at global selected Plaza Premium Lounge, Plaza Premium First and Aerotel locations. Offers are available for redemption until 31 January 2020.

In celebration of the 25th anniversary of Air China’s Phoenix Miles, the national carrier is offering Chinese travellers a mileage exchange at 25% discount for access to global Plaza Premium Lounge locations and Plaza Premium First Hong Kong until 8 November 2019.

HONG KONG From now until 31 December 2019, CCB (Asia) UnionPay Diamond Prestige Credit Card members can enjoy up to three complimentary visits to the Plaza Premium First lounge at Hong Kong International Airport, while supplementary card members or accompanying guests can enjoy a 50% discount on published rates. Card members who visit more than three times during the promotional period will also be eligible for a 50% discount on the published rates for subsequent visits.

CAMBODIA Owners of the Cell Card App in Cambodia can benefit from a complementary three-hour visit to Plaza Premium Lounge Phnom Penh, with redemption available between 1 October 2019 and 30 September 2020.

Plaza Premium Lounge Taipei

TAIWAN As part of its Japan Takamatsu Airport Joint Campaign, Takamatsu Airport, located in Kagawa, is sponsoring departing travellers transiting through Taipei Taoyuan International Airport complimentary access to Plaza Premium Lounge Taipei from 1 October 2019 until 31 March 2020.

PHILIPPINES Globe T Platinum members of Globe Telecom will now receive exclusive privileges, including a complimentary three-hour visit to the Plaza Premium Lounge at Mactan Cebu International Airport Terminal 2 until 14 July 2020.

MALAYSIA Plaza Premium Lounge Malaysia has also partnered with Enterprise Asia, the region’s leading non-governmental organisation for entrepreneurship, with more than 2,500 members from C-level and above, in companies with at least US$3-5 million revenue across 14 countries and markets. With Plaza Premium Group as the Airline Lounge Partner for the upcoming Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards (APEA) in 2019 and 2020, members of Enterprise Asia will have access to Plaza Premium First lounges and will receive updates on the Group through regular Enterprise Asia eDMs.

AUSTRALIA Plaza Premium Lounge has joined forces with Thai Air Asia X, the low cost carrier’s long-haul brand, to offer the airline’s “Red Carpet” passengers access to the Plaza Premium Lounge in Brisbane before they depart on their journey. Plaza Premium Lounge is looking forward to welcoming Thai Air Asia X passengers to one of its most popular Australian lounges.

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World’s Best Independent Airport Lounge for Four Years in a Row

PLAZA PREMIUM GROUP NETWORK

GREATER CHINA Hong Kong, Macau, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Taipei AUSTRALIA Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney BRAZIL Rio De Janeiro CAMBODIA Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukvile CANADA Edmonton, Toronto, Vancouver, Winnipeg FINLAND Helsinki INDIA Ahmebadad, Hyderabad, New Delhi INDONESIA Jakarta ITALY Rome MALAYSIA Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, Langkawi, Penang MALDIVES Malé OMAN Muscat, Salalah PHILIPPINES Cebu, Manila SAUDI ARABIA Dammam, Riyadh SINGAPORE THAILAND Bangkok UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Abu Dhabi, Dubai UNITED KINGDOM London Heathrow UNITED STATES Dallas Fort Worth, Denver, New York, John F. Kennedy