20 July 2009

Small Luxury Hotels of the World Appoints Jonathan Slater As New Chairman of the Board

July 2009 – Small Luxury Hotels of the World™ (SLH) announces the appointment of Jonathan Slater as the new Chairman of its Board of Directors. Slater, currently the Managing Director of The Chester Grosvenor & Spa in the UK, returns to the post after his successor, Mr Patrick Burke completed a phenomenal three year tenure.  

Affiliated with the brand since 1990 when The Chester Grosvenor & Spa joined SLH, Slater has watched Small Luxury Hotels of the World grow from 70 hotels in 12 countries to more than 500 hotels in over 70 countries. In his role, Slater will oversee the board of directors, who are elected to represent the collective interests of all SLH hotels to ensure that strict selection criteria is met to guarantee that potential new hotels will deliver only the very best to discerning SLH clients.  

“I am honored to be selected as Chairman of the Board,” says Jonathan Slater. “It has been an incredible experience to witness the growth of such a tremendous brand, which is managed by Hill Goodridge & Associates the global management company of SLH led by Paul Kerr CEO. As Chairman, I am committed to ensuring an increase both in growth, and in brand presence in new markets worldwide”  

Mr Slater will lead a board of directors who have been privy to a year of success for SLH. More than 25 new hotels joined SLH in the first quarter, and brand presence has expanded this year into Japan, Beijing, Fiji, Aruba and Brazil. And, for the third consecutive year, Small Luxury Hotels of the World took top honors in the New York-based Luxury Institute’s Annual Luxury Brand Status Index Survey as the number one luxury hotel brand amongst affluent consumers, proving once again the level of exclusivity and personalized service that SLH hotels offer.  

About Jonathan Slater
Jonathan received the prestigious Catey Award as “Manager of the Year” in July 2002 and joined the elite ranks of the Master Innholders in 2003. He is a firm believer in recognising and developing the true potential of every member of his team. The Chester Grosvenor and Spa achieved reaccreditation of the Investor In People award in the autumn of 2008. Aside from The Chester Grosvenor and Spa, Jonathan is Chairman of Morley Slater ARC Derby Limited, the family garage business founded 59 years ago. A former schoolboy dinghy sailing champion, Jonathan’s interests include motor racing and yachting. He has been married to Melanie for 32 years and they have two daughters, Rebecca, who operates her own luxury hotel representation company on the East Coast of America, and Nyree, who graduated from university with a degree in Fine Art and now also works within the hotel industry.  

About Small Luxury Hotels of the World
Small Luxury Hotels of the World is an exclusive brand of more than 500 independent, luxury hotels offering an infinite variety of memorable experiences in 70 countries. Whether guests are seeking a blissful spa retreat, the rustic charm of a country villa, a secluded beachside resort, the refined splendour of an old English country house or a sanctuary hidden amid the vibrant atmosphere of a bustling city centre, Small Luxury Hotels of the World offers only the very best. 

Reservations can be made at any Small Luxury Hotel of the World by calling the USA toll-free number 1-800-525-4800 or via www.slh.com.  Travel agents need only remember the GDS code LX for LuXury.  
Contact: Robyn Fuchs Public Relations Manager, The Americas Small Luxury Hotels of the World +1 212 338 4809 Robyn.Fuchs@slh.com