INLE LAKE, Myanmar – A man with more than 30 years of hospitality experience and a passion for working in remote areas has been appointed general manager of the new Sanctum Inle Resort in Myanmar’s storied Inle Lake region, effective July 7.
Philippe Arnaud comes to the 96-room, Brigitte Dumont de Chassart-designed hotel from Paris, where he served a three-year stint as corporate operations manager for Valotel France, owner of 16 Accor-managed hotels in Europe.
Before that, the 52-year-old Frenchman was the general manager of Hotel Pigonnet, a 50-room, Small Luxury Hotels property in Aix-en-Provence, just north of Marseilles.
“Philippe has an outstanding track record,” said Kurt Walter, Group General Manager – Hospitality Division, The Apple Tree Group, Sanctum Inle Resort’s management company. “He has broad international experience, demonstrated sales and marketing success, a strong food and beverage background and is a people-oriented leader. I’ve no doubt he’ll be a tremendous asset for us as we begin to write the opening chapter for Sanctum Inle Resort.”
Three hours from Yangon — spanned by air to Heho airport, then by car to Nyaung Shwe, and finally by boat to the lake’s west side — Sanctum Inle Resort (www.sanctum-inle-resort.com) is designed to inspire contemplation through its off-the-beaten-path location and architectural flourishes that invoke monastic traditions, such as Spanish-style arches and minimalistic (but modern) room designs.
The hotel offers seven room categories, including a pair of suites with full views of the lake, gateway to some of Asia’s most fascinating markets, distinctive pagodas and remarkable stupas.
To encourage exploration of the area, the resort team has developed eight compelling tours ranging from a half-day cycling excursion to Red Mountain Estate winery to a full-day trip to the ancient temples of Kakku.
