(Front
row, left to right) Lily Ballard, Lek Ballard, Lon Ballard (owner), Vipharat
Kerdkorvong, Rony Fineman (president Nova Group & owner Nova Platinum
Hotel), Dr. Hari Harilela (senior owner Nova Platinum Hotel), Padma
Harilela, Peter Henley (CEO Onyx Hospitality Group), Manisha Harilela and
Kumar Harilela. (Back row, left to right), Michael Procher (GM Nova Platinum
Hotel, Nova Gold Hotel & Amari Nova Suites), Shakun Harilela and Sascha
Kunze (hotel manager Nova Platinum Hotel).
Paul Strachan
Photos: Pattaya Mail and
F&M Media Solution
The Nova Group recently completed yet another project in
the city, this time it was the final wing to the Nova Platinum Hotel in
South Pattaya.
Platinum has been open for more than two years on the
site that once housed the OD bowling alley. Pins and lanes have been
replaced with a modern hotel with three wings surrounding numerous swimming
pools. Once inside, it’s easy to forget it’s on the fringes of Walking
Street.
Location was always going to play a big part in the
success of the hotel and when Nova Group Founder and CEO Rony Fineman
envisaged the idea some four years ago, many people couldn’t see what he’d
mapped out in his head.
The final product can simply be judged by its high
occupancy rates, which also are attributable to the hotel’s affordable room
rates.
Hucky
Eichelmann and his lovely wife Manatsanan Viengpetthong.
Nova celebrated the latest edition to the Nova Empire
February 3 with a poolside party hosted by Nova Platinum General Manager
Michael Procher and Hotel Manager Sascha Kunze. Entertainment included the
Thai National Aqua Aerobics champions along with a Hawaiian dance show and
fire jugglers, plus two excellent bands providing a musical backdrop to the
evening.
The great food and beverages were supplied by the Amari
Group, which was represented by Peter Henley, president & CEO of the Onyx
Hospitality group and his senior vice-president operations Robert J.
Rijnders.
Lea
Catarina Greco and Eli Fineman.
Indeed Rony Fineman would be the first to say that much
of his success is due to his strong and long lasting relationships with
professionals who strive for doing their jobs at the very highest level.
Another of Rony’s long time friends who joined the guests
on the night was the legendary Dr Hari Harilela, chairman of the Harilela
Group in Hong Kong, accompanied by his charming wife Padma. The group runs
businesses ranging from hotel and real estate investment to import and
export trading.
Not only does Rony and Dr Hari share interests in
business, with their first venture being the Amari Nova Suites, they also
have a friendship that has spanned over twenty years. In fact, Dr Hari said
in his opening speech, “… When it comes to him and Rony, they are like twin
brothers with one heart.”
Greetings and welcoming messages from (l-r) Dr Hari Harilela, Rony Fineman,
Michael Procher and Peter Henley.
M.C.
Samir, GM of Holiday Inn Bangkok and his family.
Madhu
Raj and Unchana Tanaolan.
Lek
Ballard, Lon Ballard, owner Nova Platinum, Lilly Ballard and Doug Ballard.
Peter Malhotra (right), Pattaya Mail Media Group managing director and Tony
Malhotra (2nd
right), director of Pattaya Mail Media Group together with Elfi Seitz (2nd
left), managing editor of Pattaya Blatt congratulate Rony Fineman on this
auspicious occasion.
(L to R)
Walaiporn Pongda, assistant e-commerce manager; Thitapat Tanakornpitipong,
sales manager; Natsathida Thanatulsutanant, hotel manager Amari Nova Suites;
Sascha Kunze, hotel manager Nova Platinum Hotel; Uliwan Chantamee, room
attendant; Rujira Nokthes, assistant sales manager; Varongpat
Nantivatcharin, sales secretary and Sunisa Chantamenchai, sales secretary.
Kobi
Elbaz.
Peter
Malhotra with long time friend Robert J. Rijnders,
senior vice-president operations Onyx Hospitality group.
Amos
Fineman, Shakun Harilela and Ruth Hazan.
(L to R)
Chuleeporn; Michael Procher, GM Nova Platinum Hotel, Nova Gold Hotel & Amari
Nova Suites; Ratikorn Ruang-Urairerk, HR manager Nova Platinum and
Immigration Pol. Capt. Somrouy Saman enjoy a great moment together.
Lon
Ballard, Rony Fineman, Dr. Hari Harilela and Michael Procher getting ready
to release lanterns for good luck.
Padma
Harilela and Benni Fineman.
Vast
selection of food and plenty
of great entertainment was enjoyed by all the guests.
