Life in Hong Kong

Hong Kong has become my favourite city, along with Paris. It’s so lovely to see this modernist architecture and what you can do with the latest fashions, but then I love to work in Tsim Sha Tsui and see the real Hong Kong as well. I think it’s a fantastic city; I wouldn’t mind staying here for retirement.

Working at the Willard hotel in Washington

Being located next to the White House, it was a total honour and privilege to receive the most powerful people in the world from kings to queens to presidents to prime ministers on a regular basis. It gives you a great opening to the world. You become more acquainted to what’s going on without judging… just contemplating and listening and learning about different countries and different ways of life.

Giving Back

When I was in Miami, my executive colleagues and I created a gala to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which is very dear to my heart because it’s about children. The GMs after me have been compassionate enough to keep it alive, and in November 2007, the gala raised US$1.5 million in one evening. The gala is one of the most successful in Miami, and I am very proud of it, not because it’s very glamorous now, but because it helps thousands of children. It’s probably one of the highest achievements of my life.

Hotels in Asia

I think true luxury hotels are indeed in Asia. In Europe, traditions and service are there, but what you have more in Asia is the genuine sense of hospitality and probably what I feel is the happiness of the employees. They are genuinely happy to be in the hotel industry, and it shows when people come and they smile and they try their very best to give you the service you expect. They give you even more beyond your expectations, and I think nowhere in the world is that to be seen outside of Asia.

The Importance of Hobbies

I’m very intense at work because I have a lot of energy, and I work very fast. But outside work I need the balance of the serenity of yoga. It’s not just for the experience of yoga or going to the photo studio to study photography, but it’s to be with people with other interests. Meeting different people gives me that balance. It gives you more strength and probably more neurons. For me, to practice things outside work helps me appreciate everything.

The 500-room InterContinental Hotel houses the world-class restaurants Nobu, SPOON by Alain Ducasse, The Steak House Winebar + Grill and Yan Toh Heen.