Located on the north western tip of the lush tropical island of Langkawi off the coast of West Malaysia, The Datai welcomes new Executive Chef Conny Andersson and Executive Pastry Chef Benjamin Rambaud. Both chefs have recently come on board and are settling in their new environment closer to nature and with all its creature comforts.

Born and raised in Sweden, Chef Conny Andersson has over 30 years of gastronomic experience since he started his career as an apprentice in a passenger liner in Gothenburg, Sweden. For 19 years until 2007, he was attached to the reputable Four Seasons hotel as Executive Chef in various properties across the globe from Los Angeles, West Indies, Maldives to Bali winning him reputable awards and accolades. An expert in European cuisine, he also has a background in fine dining catering service specializing in exclusive events for those eying on an unforgettable style to remember.

Some of Conny's achievements include Chef of The Year 2003 by Club Culinaire of French Cuisine (Los Angeles), as co-writer of cook book Morgan Freeman & Friends with Hollywood actor Morgan Freeman, television appearances with Morgan Freeman on various American prime time shows (Oprah Winfrey Show, The View and The Today Show), feature in recipefoodTV on his cooking technique, and Four Seasons task force Executive Chef for the opening of Cairo Nile Plaza in Cairo and Westlake Hotel in California. Additionally, Conny has put his incredible cooking skills for a good cause by giving back to the community through various fundraising activities such as Chefs Across America Fundraiser with Eric Rupert, Wolfgang Puck, Micheal Ginor and Todd English, Best Chefs of Los Angeles Fundraiser by National Children's Kidney Foundation, Red Cross Tsunami Fundraiser in 2005, and Johnson Cancer Foundation Fundraiser in collaboration with Barbara Fairchild for 8 years straight.

French P�tissier Benjamin Rambaud has had a fascination with the art of chocolates and desserts since high school. With a diploma in Patisserie, Chocolat, Glace & Confiserie, he has had over 16 years of professional experience as a French Pastry Chef. Benjamin started his career also as an apprentice in his hometown, Sables D'Olonne, France in 1994. Prior to joining The Datai, Benjamin spent more than five years at the prestigious The Chedi Muscat, Oman - a multiple Cond� Nast Traveller Readers award-winning hotel, as Executive Pastry Chef (Grade A) sharing his pastry, glace and chocolate creations as well as management and training of local staff. Benjamin is known for his immaculate artistry in sugar glace, attention to detail in his pastries and superb blend in creating ganache. Other reputable hotels he was previously attached to include the Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong and the elegant Anassa Hotel in Cyprus.

The first General Hotel Management (GHM) property, The Datai Langkawi opened in October 1993 setting a new standard of luxury and Asian-inspired design, and quickly became one of the world's most sought-after and award-winning hideaway resorts. The Datai is truly an oasis of relaxation and tranquility surrounded by centuries-old virgin rainforest with a private footpath leading to an idyllic white sand beach, swimming pool and spa, and nearby golf course. Recently recognized as Third Best Overseas Leisure Hotel in Asia and the Indian Sub Continent by Cond� Nast Traveller Readers Travel Award 2010, The Datai offers 40 villas, 16 suites and 54 rooms all of which are set within the rainforest with their own private veranda and stunning views of the lush tropical landscape and breathtaking Andaman Sea beyond.

About GHM

Established in 1992, GHM (General Hotels Management) is a market leader in conceptualizing, developing and operating an exclusive group of hotels and resorts worldwide. With its expansive portfolio and several more in the pipeline, GHM prides itself in providing guests with a distinctive lifestyle experience that is unrivalled. Each GHM resort and hotel is one of a kind, possessing distinctive concepts and design elements. The signature GHM style is best defined through "Asian-inspired designs with delicate details". GHM's portfolio of properties includes:

* The Setai South Beach, Miami, USA * The Datai Langkawi, Malaysia * The Legian Bali, Indonesia * The Club at The Legian Bali, Indonesia * The Nam Hai Hoi An, Vietnam * The Strand Yangon, Myanmar * The Ananti Kumgang Mountains, North Korea * The Ananti Club Seoul, South Korea * The Chedi Club Tanah Gajah Ubud, Bali, Indonesia * The Chedi Muscat, Oman * The Chedi Chiang Mai, Thailand

GHM properties currently under development include the following hotels and resorts worldwide:

* The Nizuc Riviera Maya, Mexico * The Malkai Barka, Oman * The Chedi Club Cairo, Egypt * The Chedi Amman, Jordan * The Chedi Andermatt, Switzerland * The Chedi Tamouda Bay, Morocco * The Chedi Taiping Lake, China * The Chedi Club Suzhou, China * The Chedi Club & Residences Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The Company also provides a full range of hotel management services. For more information please visit www.ghmhotels.com Fax: (852) 2525 7972

For more information, please contact: Luci Pickett or Cecilia Chan Grebstad Hicks Communications Ltd Hong Kong Tel: (852) 2810 0532 Fax: (852) 2525 7972 Email: luci.pickett@ghcasia.com / cecilia.chan@ghcasia.com