"With his wealth of experience in all facets of hospitality and his genuine passion for the hotel industry, Thom needs little introduction and we are very excited to have him driving this new venture, said marketing manager, Renaldo Pretorius.
Thom, a student of physiotherapy longed for a career that was faster paced and made the switch to hotels by cutting his teeth as a restaurant host in 1999. By the time he was 24, Thom had landed his first assistant GM position with Southern Sun in Pretoria and was later transferred to the very busy and challenging Southern Sun, OR Tambo international airport hotel.
"Park Inn by Radisson has always been a young, dynamic brand," explained Thom, "but the NexGen hotels are ultra-modern and high-tech; they're really built for Generation Y. This hotel is going to be a trendsetter for South African hotels and will most definitely provide a fresh alternative to what is currently available in the area."
Besides its modern finishes, Park Inn by Radisson Newlands will also provide high-speed wireless internet, a self-service kiosk for late-night snacks, a fully equipped gym and 'live inn' rooms comprising a modern bar, all-day restaurant, alfresco terrace and outdoor swimming pool that's designed to draw worker bees out of their rooms and into communal spaces.
"This hotel is going to put Newlands back on the map by creating a social hub that will attract not only domestic and international tourists, but also Cape Town locals looking for a trendy and modern venue for lunch, dinner or sundowners. Added to this, parking is plentiful and free to all," said Thom.
In line with its business-friendly ethos, the new Park Inn by Radisson will also be home to both an informal meeting space in the downstairs lobby and five conference rooms that can seat up to 160 people equipped with high-tech 21st-century conference must-haves, such as controls that will give you access to change sound volume, aircon and projector screens with one touch. The facility also features a nifty chalk board wall for group brainstorming sessions.
The hotel has a huge emphasis on accessibility and boasts five wheelchair-friendly rooms and a series of ramps. With one of its owners being the Deaf Federation of South Africa (DEAFSA), the hotel is very proud to have a 30% deaf staff composition.
"This is a big accomplishment for the world of hospitality. We are very proud of the opportunities and training that our partnership with DEAFSA has created. We hope to see other hotel groups follow suit where this is concerned," said Pretorius.
