Marcel van Aelst receives municipal award

Amsterdam, September 27th 2011 – During the 40th anniversary of Hotel Okura Amsterdam on Monday the 26th, Marcel van Aelst received the Frans Bannick Cocq Medal from Eberhard van der Laan, the mayor of Amsterdam. This municipal award is for people who made themselves valuable for the capital city of the Netherlands during a period of at least 10 years

 

Marcel van Aelst, the General Manager of Hotel Okura will be honoured for his compassion with Amsterdam and his hospitality management at the Hotel. Thanks to his point of view, Hotel Okura has invested in the renovation of the Hotel in the last decade. Van Aelst: ''I feel very blessed to receive the Franks Bannink Cocq medal and that my value of services is being recognized by the beautiful city of Amsterdam.''

 

Mister Van Aelst was already involved with Hotel Okura Amsterdam during the construction of the Hotel in 1971 as a Deputy Sales Manager. In 1993 he returned at the hotel as Vice-President and General Manager. In 2000 he became board member of Hotel Okura Co. Ltd. Japan and in October 2010 also President and CEO of JAL Hotels. Co. Ltd. Japan.

Beside his effort and investments in Hotel Okura, mister van Aelst also contributes to a sustainable entrepreneurship. He decided to support the Emma's children's hospital on a yearly basis and thanks to his support the hospital could built a kitchen for teenagers including 2 suites for the parents to stay. Hotel Okura supports also other foundations such as: the Golden Green Key, Ok Point, Streetcornerwork, SKIBB, LAAT, een Container Varen, Fish & Season and the Aap Foundation.

 

The Frans Banninck Cocq medal is awarded to people that put a lot of effort into the capital city of The Netherlands during the last decade. It concerns persons who dedicated themselves into different committees and foundations. Thanks to their point of direction they have achieved and contribute a lot into the city of Amsterdam. According to the mayor of Amsterdam, mister van Aelst is a perfect example for receiving this municipal award. ''He absolutely deserves this medal.''

 

About Hotel Okura Amsterdam
Hotel Okura Amsterdam is situated on the edge of the city centre, close to a large number of cultural landmarks. The hotel has 301 luxury rooms, including the 'SUITE' the most spacious (485 m2) and luxurious suite in the BeNeLux countries. Hotel Okura Amsterdam has no fewer than four restaurants, two of which have been awarded with Michelin stars. The ground floor features two Japanese restaurants: Teppanyaki Restaurant Sazanka, where dishes are prepared right before guests' eyes, and the traditional Japanese Yamazato Restaurant. Also there is the new restaurant Serre, inspired by Ciel Bleu which is located on the ground floor. The idiosyncratic two-star French Ciel Bleu Restaurant on the 23rd floor of the hotel offers a panoramic view of the city. Moreover, the hotel has two bars, including the Twenty Third Bar, which has been named the Netherlands' best cocktail bar, as well as an Executive Health Club. At the 'Taste of Okura' Culinary Centre, guests can prepare the Okura's chefs' dishes themselves, while the sommeliers explain how to pair wine and sake with the culinary creations.

 

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For additional information and/or visuals relating to Hotel Okura Amsterdam, please contact: 
Melissa Peters / Manager Marketing & Communications. T: 020 - 67 87 487 
E: peters@okura.nl 
W: www.okura.nl