Seibu Prince Hotels & Resorts is thrilled to announce the appointment of Charles Cowell as the new General Manager of its Southern Highlands Property, Park Proxi Gibraltar Bowral. With over 20 years of experience in hospitality management and multiple General Manager positions in both Australia and the UK in the past 15 years, Charles brings a wealth of knowledge to Park Proxi and Seibu Prince.
Having lived and worked in the Southern Highlands for over 8 years, Charles is reminded a lot of the UK with the rolling hills and friendly locals. He’s worked closely with the local community and helped deliver amazing results for various charity events that will impact the highlands community immensely.
“What I love about hospitality is that you get to be part of people’s lives and work together in unison to create a moment or achieve the unachievable. Every day is different, and it keeps life fresh and energising. The sense of pride and satisfaction when you see a guest leave happy is truly a gift,” Charles said.
Nestled in the heart of NSW’s Southern Highlands, Park Proxi Gibraltar Bowral, the first Australian property under the Park Proxi brand, opened its doors in the former Gibraltar Hotel in 2023. It offers premium accommodation with spacious rooms and suites boasting floor-to-ceiling panoramic views of Mount Gibraltar and the surrounding woodlands. The property boasts an extensive range of facilities, including a picturesque 18-hole resort-style golf course, a gymnasium, and a heated indoor swimming pool.
When talking about the future of the hotel, Charles stated, “We have a clear ambition to make Park Proxi a hotel of the locals. Not only will the hotel offer tourists the opportunity to explore this idyllic destination, but we also want to give the locals the opportunity to enjoy the hotel and the facilities.”
A welcomed recent change to the hotel is the new restaurant Lotus Bowral, a joint partnership between Seibu Prince and Lotus Dining Group to bring the group’s renowned quality and nuanced take on Chinese cuisine to the Southern Highlands. Guests staying at the hotel and locals living in the area can sample a blend of popular Lotus dishes alongside exciting menu items showcasing the region’s amazing produce.
Seibu Prince Hotels & Resort’s CEO, Lee Richards, commented on Charles’ appointment, saying: “We’re thrilled to have Charles take up the helm at Park Proxi and guide the hotel and the brand into a new exciting chapter. With a proven track record of excellence in the hospitality industry, he will bring a wealth of experience and a strong vision for the future of the property. Charles’ leadership, passion for guest satisfaction, and commitment to fostering relationships with the local community will be the key drivers as we continue to elevate the guest experience at Park Proxi and strengthen our position as a premier destination in Bowral.”
