DESIGN & BUILD

Hotel owners often have a “dream” project which reflects their own lifestyle and visions. But failure to engage a professional hotel consulting firm before fully developing the concept often leads to unnecessary construction and ongoing operational costs.

Epikurean has vast experience in the conceptualization and design of some of the region’s most recognised resorts. Each property maintains the owner’s visions but also embraces unique design features, local culture and equally as importantly ensures that these designs are the most cost effective for both construction, operations and potential expansion at a later date.  

We have access to some of the world’s leading architects, engineers, interior designers, technical consultants and professional project managers. All have worked on previous projects with Epikurean and in many cases with some of the world’s leading brand names in the hospitality field.

Epikurean provides overall design and implementation services for the entire project. Some typical items covered include:

• Project Management for the project
• Design Management for the project
• Budget and Financial Management in combination with the Quantity Surveyor and Designers
• Construction Management in combination with elements of the consultant team
• Third Party Payments

Contact us for full details and arrange a meeting with our senior executives.

ASSET MANAGEMENT

Hotel management companies do not usually hold equity in the properties managed by an owner and are not always fully dedicated to maintaining and raising the asset value of hotel/resort.  It should be noted that this is never an issue with Epikurean managed properties as professional asset management is part of our DNA.

Epikurean provides asset management services to both independent and branded hotels and resorts. A senior executive from Epikurean visits the property every 2 - 3  months and revues all operational aspects of the asset to ensure that all departments are efficiently managed with revenue maximised and expenses minimized. This audit also extends to sales & marketing activities as it is the key revenue driver of the property.

Epikurean can give owners a full brief on the details and benefits of professional hotel asset management.

Caye Sereno

TECHNICAL SERVICES

In Some cases owners may choose to have their own design and build team for their project.  But professional advice is also required to complete the project once the design is finalized. Even if Epikurean has not been involved in the design process we are still able to provide essential advice and oversight. Ideally these technical services should run in parallel to the design process to optimize the result.

Some samples of specific (and essential) items covered in our Technical Services agreement include the following:

• Preparation of a detailed project operation’s FF&E (Furniture, Fixture & Equipment) list and HOE (Hotel Operating Equipment) list for the consideration of the Developer/Designers/Consultant. and we will also advise on:
• Review and comment from a hotel operator’s perspective on the final system plans and specifications submitted by the appointed mechanical consultant for the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, plumbing, drainage, power supply and distribution, general lighting, alarm, radio, television, telecommunication and public address systems.
• Review and comment on the quality, quantity, specifications and installation of furnishings and fittings, and on the preliminary and final lists of furnishings and fittings.
• Identifying best sources of supply for all capital equipment and consumable, and advising in tendering, analyzing bids and selection.

Technical Services also embrace some essential Pre-Opening requirements. Following are some samples of the areas covered:

• Preparation of the Pre-opening budget and financial forecast for the first year of the project operations.
• Working capital calculations, accounting and purchasing policies.
• Preparation and specifications, supervise the construction implementation of the entire BOH (Back of House) for food and all other support services such as energy, water, sewage treatment, engineering, housekeeping, laundry, food preparation & storage and engineering workshop areas towards operational efficiency.
• Establish IT Standards & accounting systems for the Hotel. 

Ila Bay Koh Kood

The Leaf Nagarkot

SALES & MARKETING

Epikurean offers a sales & marketing service and reservations service for independently owned and managed properties which offers significant efficiencies and savings on overhead. Equally as importantly it is these activities which drive the majority of revenue into the property.

Epikurean will design a detailed sales & marketing plan which is specifically tailored to the needs of each individual property. This will be supported by an action plan which will be monitored by a preapproved set of KPI’s. (Key Performance Index.)

Some properties may require dedicated sales & marketing staff and Epikurean has the resources to secure the right people to fulfil this role. But in some cases a more cost effective solution for smaller properties is to enter into a “cost share” agreement whereby several S&M staff represent and work for more than one property.

Epikurean also has a number of GSA’s (General Sales Agents) in key overseas countries who act as representatives of all hotels & resorts under a sales & marketing agreement. These representatives are specifically tasked to generate revenue (bookings) from agents and tour operators in their respective geographic areas and report back their activities on a regular basis.  

Apart from the obvious savings on salaries and overheads some of the associated costs of sales & marketing activities can be “shared”. Specifically travelling costs – air fares, hotels etc. incurred when S&M staff move around on local sales calls, plus attending trade shows and travel marts in different countries. The fixed costs of booth rentals at travel marts and associated add ons is prohibitively expensive for smaller properties, and sharing these costs with other non competitive properties realises both significant savings on costs plus an opportunity to secure additional revenue.

Epikurean has a large client base of selected tour operators in all key international markets. Many of these operators are already contracted to Epikurean on a long term “preferred” basis which will automatically open revenue opportunities for those hotels utilizing Epikurean’s centralised sales & marketing services.

Some of the key markets covered by Epikurean’s preferred tour operator contracts include China, United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, France, Scandinavian countries, Australia.

Epikurean can also build and establish a separate web site for an individual property with direct links to/from Epikurean’s main site. Part of this process includes SEO (search engine optimisation) and SEM (search engine marketing.)

An on line booking engine can also be attached to the web site which is managed by Epikurean’s centralized revenue management and reservations staff which distributes rates and availability to the major on line booking operators – Agoda, Expedia, Booking.com etc

RESERVATIONS    

Epikurean maintains both a call centre and an on line centralized reservations and revenue management operation. An owner can also choose to participate in this on a cost share basis. Full details can be made available including detailed costs from 3^rd. party vendors.

 Epikurean has more than 20 years experience in professional hotel management. Our Founder and CEO has spent several years as both General Manager & Managing Director of some of the most recognised resorts in the region

Hotel management does not necessarily mean Epikurean branding, although this has high recognition value in the market. “Branding” a hotel or resort is something that is discussed and agreed with an owner prior to the execution of a management contract.

Epikurean management also allows an owner to take advantage of the skills developed by Epikurean without the need for constant oversight from some remote head office. Having said this, an essential part of an Epikurean management contract is regular internal audits plus at least once every year an external audit by an outside audit firm mutually agreeable to both owner and operator.

As Epikurean is not part of a global conglomerate we are able to tailor management contracts to meet the aims and objectives of an owner without compromising any professional standards.   

Epikurean Lifestyle properties are “Limited Edition” and “Signature“ properties, which will never be repeated, as they offer experiences or concepts that cannot be duplicated. For resorts or even city properties, they are “jewels of unique resorts or city retreats”, catering to the experienced world business traveler seeking unconventional, funky or contemporary properties during their city break or resort holidays. It is an evolution, focusing on service which is more about anticipating needs than just providing stylish designs, brand name amenities, and the coolest gadgets. Epikurean Lifestyle are best categorized into urban-cool-and-sexy concepts, which can be Modern & Signature, a strong direction towards rest, relaxation and wellness; Rare & Classic, or Avant-Garde & Off-Beat properties with an attitude of higher goals like: restoring a medieval fort, converting a building, a complete green private island, or refurbishment of a city hotel to the place to be for F&B. These are integral parts of hotel development rather than just an “ after thought” or “a clever selling point”. Regardless of the category, there is a strong focus towards rest and relaxation, holistic wellness or health, sensational culinary and entertainment with music, fine arts or events. Whether it be a Robinson Crusoe basic experience; an unique property catering to Buddhist retreats in Nepal; or whale watchers in Nicaragua; Epikurean aims for the best in service and design. The essence of this Epikurean Lifestyle is a property which can never be duplicated and made by people who have a story of their passion to tell.

Epikurean Lifestyle can be found in matured and key destinations, or in saturated destinations which are close to many other hotels and resorts. But since we design our provocative collection of hotels and resorts to be refreshing and extraordinary, we stand out from the other properties, whether we are on a busy beach, in a major city or on a an island.

We choose designers who are as experimental and progressive as we are; who are looking to please the modern traveler; who are tech-savvy; and who are interested state-of-the-art room amenities. Epikurean Lifestyle adheres to being original, inventive and masters in the cuisine, entertainment and personalized service

Epikurean Villas are the embodiment of indulgence and enhancement of one’s basic needs and space. We go beyond a luxurious concept by providing the ultimate experience with otherwise unattainable service, in the finest and the most limited villas in the world. Epikurean’s higher objective with our Villas is to offer not just a space with a spectacular view, but to personalize each amazing experience from the next. Our on-demand butler service will have studied your private demands and will aspire to anticipate them to ensure you have a happy, tranquil stay, free of any pain or frustrations. Each visit to Epikurean Villas will differ from the last and the Epikurean team strives to make each memory your best memory.

Epikurean Villas are developed in pristine, tranquil remote locations, always surrounded by breathtaking natural elements. Our discerning travellers of the 21^st century have stayed in many top-end small luxury resorts. They are sophisticated and extremely well travelled. We specialize in giving these travellers an experience of a lifetime and will encourage them to return to seek it again.

Our Villas are contemporary and modern with a strong local accent in our interiors. Our star in-house designers are eco-friendly and are experts in using sustainable and durable materials, which are low cost to maintain but create a fine unique balance of extremely well-crafted individual villas. Epikurean Villas also have a unique concept of a rental pool component, where Managed Sales Villas or Residential Villas are returned to the Resort for maintenance and management. Depending on locations, Epikurean Villas may have an Epikurean Private Residence component attached to this.

Epikurean Hideouts are always known for our epic singular experience on Earth, surrounded by an isolated natural environment, a pristine backdrop and jaw-dropping views. Luxury here takes a different term; “it means that we have taken all necessary steps to make you feel at home and not want to leave”. Epikurean Hideouts are painstakingly designed to blend into nature whilst ensuring our sophisticated and discerning travelers’ needs are met. Aside from the incredible aesthetics, Epikurean Hideouts have a strong focus on extremely customized and personalized 24 hours butler service. It is about how much thought we put in making your marmalade, your detox morning juice, and your every need delivered without even asking for it. Because our travelers are normally “time poor”, Epikurean Hideout personal butlers ensure stays are struggle-and-frustration-free; and your space, time and environment is respected. We are artisans in accommodation, in service and in creating quintessential experiences to even the most discerning traveller.

Epikurean Hideouts originate from unsolicited, untouched, and surreal environments. We only develop in areas that are guaranteed to take your breath away and uniquely distinguished from other properties. It is a hideout to hideaway and be one with your surroundings, take a moment to enjoy the pleasures you have earned in your life.

Epikurean Hideouts’ spaces are created for a range of world travelers, successful professionals, and all forms of culturally sophisticated singles or couples. Villas are always designed with natural elements that blend into its intrinsic background, keeping its raw native environment. We pride ourselves in creating space with a lot of natural ventilation and leaving a very low carbon footprint. All Hideout Villas, 2 or 3 bedrooms come equipped with it’s own private pool, dedicated living and dining rooms, outdoor and indoor bathrooms, a large deck and exclusive in-room massage/spa area. We are creators of indulgent pleasures and personalized traveler moments in the privacy of your Hideout and/or our destination.

Epikurean Private Residence are extraordinary dwelling spaces in their destinations and are designed for the intelligent, sophisticated and discerning travelers who have difficulty in finding great retreats on earth, practicing Epicureanism and the “Art of Life” and wanting to combine leisure investment with real estate investment. Epikurean Private Residences are not just Residential Sales Villas but Residences of international hotel luxury standards and a cool hotel concept. They have a distinctive identity; offering guests the opportunity to enjoy unique experiences, and as well simple ones whilst being able to invest in them with healthy returns.

Epikurean managed Hotels and Resorts are about effortlessness and simplicity. We cater to every individual whether it is a business stay, rest and relaxation, or to explore somewhere new. We manage these properties to ensure each stay offers effortless service in larger deluxe Hotels and Resorts. We always offer our guests spacious rooms, superior levels of comfort, and create a sense of community while sharing special local know-how during our service. These managed properties specialize in providing not just stays but great experiences to our guests.

Epikurean Hotels and Resorts often are in destinations that are already developed but are lacking the infrastructure and space to become phenomenal. We are about creating the phenomenon by catering to those who know how to search for luxury online and save time and resources by finding exclusive and affordable packages in extremely properties and destinations.