Home
» City specials
» Hangzhou
Wyndham makes a splash
By Wing Tan |
March 16, 2010, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
FROM Chongqing in Sichuan Province to Phuket Island in Thailand, to England and then back to China, Chris Dexter is always on the move.
The general manager of Wyndham Grand Plaza Royale West Lake Hangzhou, which opened in January, says he loves his job.
"My job is to make people happy," says the Briton, who has been working in the hospitality industry for more than 20 years. "I'm happy in work, especially when I'm surrounded by so many smiling faces and seeing people help each other, all the problems and challenges in life suddenly disappear, thrown away out of the office door."
With extensive experience in opening new hotels, Dexter knows how important it is to lead from the front. He would take off his jacket and roll up his sleeves to set tables, clear trays in the cafeteria or stand in the lobby to pick up suitcases for customers if necessary.
"Our goal is to become the friendliest hotel in Hangzhou," the general manager says.
Wyndham Hotel Group, a famous North American hotel brand, operates more than 7,000 hotels and 590,000 rooms in 65 countries under the hotel brands such as Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, Howard Johnson, Ramada and Super 8, among others.
In China, it has opened Howard Johnson, Ramada and other brands in Shanghai, Beijing, Suzhou (Jiangsu Province), Changsha (Hunan Province), Xiamen (Fujian Province) and elsewhere.
But the Wyndham Grand Hotel in Hangzhou is the brand's first foray into the China market.
"It's all about the development opportunity in choosing Hangzhou," says Dexter. "It's not late to enter the scenic city because there is always room for a new product in the market - if your product is good enough and has competitive edges that other hotels don't have."
The Wyndham lies at the northeast corner of scenic West Lake, facing the local and provincial government offices and administration, and in Wulin area, the hub of Hangzhou's business district.
The hotel view not only encompasses the picturesque West Lake but also the ancient Baochu Pagoda on the Baoshi (Precious Stone) Hill.
"One thing special about Hangzhou is that the natural scenery and the urban life are so perfectly combined," the general manager says. "It's only a one-minute walk from our hotel to the West Lake and if you want nightlife and shopping, the city is just behind you. It's very convenient."
Having been in Hangzhou for more than one year, Dexter says romance is in the air.
"When walking along the lakeside, I often see love couples going hand in hand and looking at each other," he says. "If I were a Shanghai boy, I would book a room in Wyndham Grand and have a romantic weekend with my lover."
The newly opened hotel has already a long waiting list for wedding banquets to this October and it has held more than 15 wedding ceremonies since its opening in the 711-square-meter ballroom, which can accommodate 35 round tables.
"The wedding market is very huge in Hangzhou and it is developing very fast in recent years," the general manager says.
Dexter is quite optimistic about the city's future with the Metro system in construction and the high-speed train opening in 2011, shortening the travel time to just about 30 minutes between Shanghai and Hangzhou.
Shanghai is a very big feeder market for Hangzhou. As the general manager, he visits Shanghai frequently to promote the hotel, overseas travel companies and multinational enterprises based in Shanghai.
"Personal selling is a key to open several segments of your business. I like to work with the sales team, making myself accessible to guests and trying to meet their concerns, understand their business and make things happen for them," Dexter says.
The hotel has an international management team from countries such as France, Spain and Holland; all speak conversational Chinese.
The hotel has big plans. Next year it plans to open a 10,000-square-meter retail shopping center and an entertainment complex.
The general manager of Wyndham Grand Plaza Royale West Lake Hangzhou, which opened in January, says he loves his job.
"My job is to make people happy," says the Briton, who has been working in the hospitality industry for more than 20 years. "I'm happy in work, especially when I'm surrounded by so many smiling faces and seeing people help each other, all the problems and challenges in life suddenly disappear, thrown away out of the office door."
With extensive experience in opening new hotels, Dexter knows how important it is to lead from the front. He would take off his jacket and roll up his sleeves to set tables, clear trays in the cafeteria or stand in the lobby to pick up suitcases for customers if necessary.
"Our goal is to become the friendliest hotel in Hangzhou," the general manager says.
Wyndham Hotel Group, a famous North American hotel brand, operates more than 7,000 hotels and 590,000 rooms in 65 countries under the hotel brands such as Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, Howard Johnson, Ramada and Super 8, among others.
In China, it has opened Howard Johnson, Ramada and other brands in Shanghai, Beijing, Suzhou (Jiangsu Province), Changsha (Hunan Province), Xiamen (Fujian Province) and elsewhere.
But the Wyndham Grand Hotel in Hangzhou is the brand's first foray into the China market.
"It's all about the development opportunity in choosing Hangzhou," says Dexter. "It's not late to enter the scenic city because there is always room for a new product in the market - if your product is good enough and has competitive edges that other hotels don't have."
The Wyndham lies at the northeast corner of scenic West Lake, facing the local and provincial government offices and administration, and in Wulin area, the hub of Hangzhou's business district.
The hotel view not only encompasses the picturesque West Lake but also the ancient Baochu Pagoda on the Baoshi (Precious Stone) Hill.
"One thing special about Hangzhou is that the natural scenery and the urban life are so perfectly combined," the general manager says. "It's only a one-minute walk from our hotel to the West Lake and if you want nightlife and shopping, the city is just behind you. It's very convenient."
Having been in Hangzhou for more than one year, Dexter says romance is in the air.
"When walking along the lakeside, I often see love couples going hand in hand and looking at each other," he says. "If I were a Shanghai boy, I would book a room in Wyndham Grand and have a romantic weekend with my lover."
The newly opened hotel has already a long waiting list for wedding banquets to this October and it has held more than 15 wedding ceremonies since its opening in the 711-square-meter ballroom, which can accommodate 35 round tables.
"The wedding market is very huge in Hangzhou and it is developing very fast in recent years," the general manager says.
Dexter is quite optimistic about the city's future with the Metro system in construction and the high-speed train opening in 2011, shortening the travel time to just about 30 minutes between Shanghai and Hangzhou.
Shanghai is a very big feeder market for Hangzhou. As the general manager, he visits Shanghai frequently to promote the hotel, overseas travel companies and multinational enterprises based in Shanghai.
"Personal selling is a key to open several segments of your business. I like to work with the sales team, making myself accessible to guests and trying to meet their concerns, understand their business and make things happen for them," Dexter says.
The hotel has an international management team from countries such as France, Spain and Holland; all speak conversational Chinese.
The hotel has big plans. Next year it plans to open a 10,000-square-meter retail shopping center and an entertainment complex.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
