Kempinski Hotels: Best Premium Landmark Hotels EMEA

Markus Semer, CEO; Henk Meyknecht, Vice President Middle East and Africa; Marcus van der Wal, COO; Xavier Destribats, Regional President Europe; Colin Lubbe, CFO

Europe’s oldest luxury hotel group, founded almost 120 years ago in Berlin, Kempinski Hotels manages 75 five-star hotels and residences across the world. The group has a number of historic landmarks in its portfolio such as the Hotel Adlon Kempinski in Berlin, the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, and the Palais Hansen Kempinski in Vienna.

Majority-owned by the Crown Property Bureau of Thailand, Kempinski has become one of the world’s leading luxury hotel operators via an unrelenting dedication to excellence. The company is one of the founding members of the Global Hotel Alliance which bundles 32 hospitality brands representing well over 500 luxury hotels.

Kempinski introduced its own corporate social responsibility (CSR) framework that enables it to strengthen health and improve public welfare locally. As one of the founding members of BE Health Association, Kempinski believes that business can make a positive impact in limiting the spread of infectious diseases and making health contagious for those who need it most. This ties in with the group’s initiatives to encourage guests to get a taste of local traditions and culture via its Discovery Programme.

Kempinski recently celebrated the opening of the five-star Kempinski Summerland Hotel & Resort in Beirut, Lebanon. The new facility builds on the heritage of the famed Summerland Hotel which is renowned for society events.

The CFI.co judging panel commends Kempinski on its dedication to quality, both in services and management, in particular the company’s commitment to preserving the legacies of the properties under management. The judges declare Kempinski winner of the 2016 Best Premium Landmark Hotels in EMEA Award.