DENPASAR – The Ritz-Carlton name has departed Bali – but maybe not for long.
In its place, the resort owners have signed up new managers, the little-known, outside the United States, West Paces Group.
From April 1, the Ritz-Carlton Bali will be rebadged as the Ayana Resort and Spa, a name that will require a lot of brand building if it is to register with visitors to Bali.
The parting of the ways between Ritz-Carlton and the Indonesian owners of the resort, came of as the result of a US Federal Court ruling that found the Ritz-Carlton owners, Marriott Hotel Corporation had violated non-competition clauses by acting as managers and helping to develop the luxury Bulgari Resort, located a short distance from the present Ritz-Carlton.
Heading the West Paces Hotel Group, and the man who will manage the Bali property, is Horst Schulze, former president, COO and vice-chairman of Ritz-Carlton.
In November last year, a Ritz-Carlton spokesman said of its impending departure from Bali, “Bali is a key market for the Ritz-Carlton and we will, of course, look to be back in the destination as soon as we find the right partner and the right location.â€
