Malaysia's Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat Names Lucia Franziska as GM & Felix Eppisser as Culinary Dir.
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - August 12, 2014 - The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat in Perak, Malaysia, has appointed Swiss spouse team Lucia Franziska and Felix Eppisser as General Manager and Culinary Director respectively, effective1 August 2014. Lucia oversees the general operations whereas Felix helms the culinary operations and bespoke events management at The Banjaran. Lucia and her Michelin-starred chef husband Felix are seasoned hospitality professionals with over 30 years of experience in diverse areas of hospitality consultancy and hotel and restaurant management.
Prior to assuming their positions at The Banjaran, Lucia and Felix managedMyanmar's Le Planteur Restaurant since 2011 which garnered a string of accolades, including that of being one of the Top 200 Fine Dining Restaurants inAsia (Miele Guide 2012 / 2013). BeforeYangon, the Eppissers managed Zurich's boutique Hotel Rigiblick from 2004 to 2010, home to the one-star Michelin and 16 points Gault-Millau rated restaurant Spice. The pair first established their working relationship at the luxury hotel Gasthof zum Baren in the Swiss town of Nurensdorf from 1997 to 2003.
Taking on the role of General Manager at The Banjaran, Lucia brings a wealth of experience in managing upscale boutique hotels inEurope. She obtained multiple Masters' Degree in Coaching, Supervision and Mediation from the Universities ofBerne and Zurich and has worked with some of the best hospitality names inSwitzerland, including Swiss International Airlines.
Felix has trained, worked in and operated a number of celebrated names in Switzerland including the Relais & Chateau Hotel Giardino in Ascona and The Dolder Grand inZurich to name a few. Felix was also part of the most successful Swiss National Cooking Team and has won numerous international culinary competitions.
About The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat
The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat is Sunway Group's and Malaysia's first luxury natural hot springs wellness destination. Located within a 16.59-acre valley, this bespoke sanctuary is a two-hour drive fromKuala Lumpur, Malaysia; surrounded by lush tropical jungle, natural geothermal hot springs and a cluster of magnificent 260 million year-old limestone hills. Its collection of 25 garden and water villas and a spa and wellness centre offering more than 40 authentic Asian-inspired treatments and therapies are complemented by a host of unique features for a true relaxing, renewing and rejuvenating experience.
To maintain its tranquility, The Banjaran welcomes guests 12 years of age and over. For more, visitthebanjaran.com.
Contact: For media enquiries - Farizal B. Jaafar, Group Director of Brand Marketing & Communications, Sunway International Hotels & Resorts or Stephanie Yong, Manager - Publicity & Media Relations or Laurine Pereira, Marketing Communications Executive
mediasrhs@sunwayhotels.com / +60 3 7492 8000
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