La Vie Hotels and Resorts is bringing together six business units under a new umbrella brand, La Vie Hospitality Group, to serve as an end-to-end solution for the hospitality industry.
Described as a “one-stop shop” for the industry, the group will provide existing clients, owners and other partners with education and staffing solutions, asset management, procurement, building management, hospitality services, alongside its hotels and resorts offering.
La Vie Hospitality Group Founder and CEO, Jerry Xu, said he is proud to finally bring this offering to market.
“It has always been my vision to build a full service, holistic hospitality company that adds value for owners at every step of the journey, and it is a proud moment for me to be taking this next step and launching La Vie Hospitality Group,” he said.
“This is an exciting evolution of our business and we’re proud to be one of the first Australian hospitality groups to launch a fully integrated offering that provides a one stop shop for owners.”
Speaking exclusively to HM, La Vie Hospitality Group Managing Director, Craig Bond, said it’s about giving back to the industry.
“We believe that this model can add greater value,” he said.
“We see that there is so much synergy as a hospitality company – there’s no one else like us. It’s like an à la carte service – you can have a little bit of this, a little bit of that.”
A skilled workforce
The group recently entered a Joint Venture with South Australia-born hospitality training school Alliance College, which runs a campus in Adelaide and in Haymarket, Sydney, to bring educated graduates into hotels.
With many in the industry struggling to find skilled staff in the wake of the pandemic, Bond told HM that education is a top priority.
“Education and bringing people into the hospitality business is more vital than ever before,” he said.
“It’s about giving back to the industry and providing quality training.”
As part of their course, students will be offered placements at a wide variety of hotels across Australia.
“We hope that by fostering the talent of tomorrow and building a network of highly trained hospitality professionals, we will help fill the gap – not only in our hotels but across the board,” Bond said.
Transparent procurement
The procurement arm, Paro Procurement Group, works with owners to provide OS&E (Operating Supplies and Equipment) and FF&E (Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment).
Bond says the model is very different to what the industry has traditionally seen.
“These models used to be fee for service, but this is very different – we’re very transparent,” he said.
“We’re bringing a fresh approach to procurement in the hospitality industry in Australia that has not been seen.
“The old way of charging an owner a consultancy fee and then also getting rebates from suppliers is a thing of the past.”
High-end catering
La Vie Hospitality Services offers end-to-end catering management for large institutions, covering everything from menu design to service delivery and innovative food and beverage supplies.
“That is a relatively new business for us, but it’s a growing business because what we bring to the table in that corporate world is refreshing compared to what was there before,” Bond said.
The hospitality business also provides staffing solutions for luxury yachts in Sydney Harbour.
“We have a pool of very talented service staff that work with a number of luxury yacht operators in Sydney to provide really high-level food and beverage experience,” he added.
Building and asset management
Marion Building Management brings luxury hotel services such as a concierge and building maintenance into residential properties.
Bond says the model is very popular in apartments in Asia and increasingly so in Australia.
“We’re finding now in Australia that’s becoming very popular,” he said.
“It’s an upside to the developer when they’re selling, but also [a great benefit] to residents.”
Meanwhile, La Vie Hospitality Group’s asset management firm, Leadwell, is working with hotel owners and operators on major pre-opening projects, including W Sydney.
Bond says it’s about bringing sensibility to asset management.
“We have a 360-degree approach,” he said.
“Financial results are not just about the money, they’re about guest satisfaction, staff satisfaction – all these components impact profitability.
“Leadwell takes a different approach to traditional asset management, which is about the variables when it comes to financials – we look at the backbone of the business.”
Luxury hotels partnership
On Tuesday, La Vie Hotels and Resorts also announced a strategic brand and distribution partnership with Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH).
The agreement, signed in Singapore this week by La Vie CEO Jerry Xu and SLH’s Senior Vice President Asia Pacific, Mark Wong, will see a number of La Vie’s boutique upper-upscale and independent hotels join the exclusive collection including The Islington Hobart.
A yet-to-be-announced hotel in Surry Hills will also join the network later this year.
“We are delighted to be aligning with Small Luxury Hotels and feel the value they will add to our boutique properties will be immeasurable,” said Xu.
“The Islington Hobart lends itself perfectly to SLH’s clientele, and we look forward to adding a few more properties to SLH’s portfolio over the coming months.”
La Vie expects to benefit from SLH’s global distribution network of high-end luxury holiday seekers as well as its sales and marketing support.
“As an owner and operator, La Vie understands the needs and constraints of an independent hotel,” said Wong.
“Hence, our winning combination of “Act Local. Think Global” will offer entrepreneurial management and distribution solutions that are relevant and effective for independently spirited hotels.”