23 March 2016
Sofitel London Heathrow Appoint James Berry as General Manager
Sofitel London Heathrow, the airports only premium hotel directly connected to Terminal 5, has appointed James Berry as General Manager of the 605 room hotel, managed and operated by Arora Hotels.
Berry joins Sofitel London Heathrow from his position as General Manager at Sofitel London Gatwick – also managed and operated by Arora Hotels, where he has been since 2014. Berry brings invaluable experience of managing a busy London airport hotel and extensive knowledge of Accor’s luxury Sofitel brand.
Berry, 38, from Northamptonshire, has over 20 years’ experience in the hotel and hospitality industry. Berry spent four years with Guoman & Thistle Hotels, now known as glh, in London, as General Manager at The Tower Hotel and Acting General Manager of The Cumberland in Marble Arch prior to joining Arora.
Previous to that, Berry worked with Rezidor Hotel Group as General Manager of Park Inn Peterborough, during which, he also oversaw the opening of the Park Inn Rotherham, and at Park Inn Thurrock, when he began his management career as General Manager in 2008.
Vincent Madden, Director of Operations at Arora Hotels, a division of the Arora Group, commented on the appointment: “I am delighted to announce James’ move from Sofitel London Gatwick to Sofitel London Heathrow, our largest and busiest airport hotel. Having worked with the Arora Group now for two years, James brings to Sofitel London Heathrow the essential operational and commercial expertise the hotel needs along with fundamental experience managing a large team to deliver first-class service to our loyal and frequent flying guests and meeting delegates every day. I am delighted to have James take the reins to maintain Sofitel London Heathrow’s position as the finest premium leisure, business and meetings hotel at the airport.”
Berry says of his appointment, “I am incredibly excited to be joining Sofitel London Heathrow. With over 600 bedrooms and 45 conference rooms, the hotel excels in the conference and events market, whilst maintaining the highest standard of luxury travel experiences for guests. I am extremely proud that the Arora Group has provided me with this, my greatest career opportunity and challenge to date, and I am delighted to take it forward.”
Sofitel London Heathrow is directly connected to London Heathrow’s Terminal 5 by a covered walkway and just 5 minutes’ drive from both the M25 and the M4. The hotel features 605 spacious guest rooms including 27 suites and extensive conference and events space - including a purpose built auditorium - accommodating up to 1,300 delegates in its largest function room.
The hotel has three restaurants; 3 AA rosette winning La Belle Epoque (which sits alongside the Perrier-Jouët Champagne Bar), Vivre (hot wok, deli, grill and pizza) and the Tea 5 Salon serving traditional afternoon tea seven days a week as well as Sphere Bar & Lounge and a 24-hour gym and luxurious day Spa featuring five treatment rooms, steam, sauna and high tech Vitality pool.
The Sofitel Heathrow is managed and operated by The Arora Group under a franchise agreement with Accor Hotels.
www.sofitel.com/gb/hotel-6214-sofitel-london-heathrow/index.shtml
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Julia Gosling | Arabella Halfhide
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Notes to Editors
The Arora Group
The Arora Group is a successful UK-focused private group of companies, which leverages synergies across its specialist property, construction and hotel divisions to its strategic advantage. Since 1999, the Group has built its standing through meticulously managing projects from inception to delivery and beyond. Today, it owns and manages a diverse portfolio of flagship assets across the nation’s key business locations, partnering with some of the world’s most recognised brands to deliver consistently high service levels and sustainable growth. For more information please visit www.thearoragroup.com. @Arora_Group
