Philip Skitch appointed General Manager of Thistle Johor Bahru

Philip Skitch has been appointed as General Manager of the Thistle Johor Bahru. The Thistle Johor Bahru will be the UK hotel group’s second property to open its doors in Malaysia, following June’s launch of the Thistle Port Dickson Resort.

Located in one of Malaysia’s most important commercial cities, just across the border from Singapore, Thistle Johor Bahru is slated to open its doors on 1 July 2009. With 381 bedrooms including 125 luxury rooms, the hotel also offers a state-of-the-art fitness centre and spa, two restaurants, two bars, tennis court, a large ballroom events space with a capacity for 650 guests, and an outdoor “resort style” swimming pool. For its long-term guests, the hotel also offers 19 apartment units for rent.

Philip has over 27 years of valuable hotelier experience, which includes three years with the Thistle Group in the UK. During his time with Thistle, he has managed four hotels in the central London area, two of which - Thistle Piccadilly and Thistle Royal Trafalgar - underwent refurbishment under his watch.

The Englishman has amassed a wealth of experience in the hospitality industry since he started his career at the prestigious Savoy Company’s Connaught Hotel - including having served as General Manager for one of UK’s first and most prominent boutique hotels designed by Anoushka Hempel, Blakes.

“Having worked with Thistle in the UK, and being given the opportunity to lead the growth of the group overseas, is a great privilege. Our offer in Asia is not a cookie-cutter version of the British hotel though – we are creating something unique and special in Malaysia, which combines true Asian hospitality with some English touches,” Skitch said.

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