BANGKOK: Thailand-based Malaysian hotelier Lina Abdullah was named as the winner of Serviced Apartment’s Rising Star Award in Kensington, London last week.
The 44-year-old general manager of Oakwood Hotel and Residence in Sri Racha in Chonburi, Thailand was voted by industry peers and readers of Serviced Apartment News readers.
The Serviced Apartment Awards are the first and only dedicated awards created for and by the international serviced apartment, aparthotel, extended stay and short-term rental industry.
“I am extremely honoured to receive the readers’ vote for the Rising Star award in this year’s Serviced Apartment Awards.
“I am honestly grateful for the recognition I have received, because I am very sure that every other nominee is just as deserving, if not more, of this award,” she told Bernama.
Lina was named Thailand’s Best General Manager for Hospitality Category by CMO Asia in 2018.
The industry professional from Taiping, Perak has 22 years of regional and international experience.
She was recently promoted to the role of regional general manager to complement her current position as general manager of Oakwood, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mapletree Investments — a leading global accommodation solutions provider.
The mother-of-one began her hospitality career with an eight-year tenure at Marriott properties in Malaysia and the United Kingdom.
She began her Oakwood journey in March 2015 and was tasked to manage the former Oakwood Residence Garden Towers Bangna, Bangkok.
Meanwhile, Oakwood Asia Pacific vice-president of operations, Paul Stocker said to sustain Oakwood’s expansion plans in Asia Pacific, the company recognised the need to provide strategic leadership on a regional basis.
“With our target of achieving over 100 operating Oakwood properties within the next three years, we are committed to nurturing internal talents who personify our brand of hospitality excellence.
“Over the past five years, Lina has achieved remarkable success both on the professional and personal fronts. We have no doubt that she will continue to deliver exceptional results for Oakwood and our business partners in Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar,” he said. — March 18, 2020, Bernama
