New GM takes over at Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo

Denis Gruhier has been appointed by John Keells Holdings as the new General Manager of Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo, the five star resort-city hotel of the Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts chain.

Denis leaves his role as Group General Manager at Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa, where he oversaw operations of five hotels in Malaysia, to lead the team at Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo to greater levels of success.

Gruhier, a French national, is an industry veteran who brings over twenty years of experience in leading hotels across the globe.  He is recognized for successfully opening the world’s first Palazzo Versace in Gold Coast Australia and for having led the Dusit Thani Bangkok to be voted one of the Ten Best Hotels in the World by Business Travel Magazine, UK edition in 1998.  His career in hospitality began in 1973 with a focus in Food & Beverage.  

“I am delighted to take on the role as General Manager at Colombo’s premier hotel and the timing could not be better.  Sri Lanka is a land of opportunity at present with the hospitality industry in particular earmarked for tremendous potential.  John Keells Hotels is committed to hospitality development in Sri Lanka and I am honoured to be a part of this exciting journey,” explains Gruhier.

“We at Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo contribute to the success of the Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts Group in pioneering service excellence in Sri Lanka, together with our sister hotels Cinnamon Grand Colombo and Cinnamon Lodge Habarana.  We are conscious of future competition and will be prepared to prove the progressive reputation of the Cinnamon chain whilst continuing to offer authentic Sri Lankan Hospitality as only we know how.

The team at Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo is both passionate and talented.  I am sure that together we will forge an unparalleled force, continuing the evolution of the hotel,” says Gruhier who has moved to Sri Lanka with his wife Adriana and son Alexandre.

Gruhier is a perfectionist who sets no place for mediocrity in his organization.  He is a firm believer in developing tomorrow’s leaders and is obsessed with quality service and leading by example.  He stays ahead of technology and industry trends and is fluent in French, English, Spanish and German.  With several professional degrees and certifications under his belt, Gruhier has what it takes to lead Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo beyond the “Best Five Star City Hotel” position it has already claimed.