New man at helm of Le Meridien
By Cherry Cao |
April 19, 2012, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
AFTER living in China for more than a decade, Daniel Aylmer, the new general manager of Le Royal Meridien Shanghai, likes to call himself half Chinese though the 40-year-old is thoroughly British by birth.
First moving to China in 2000, Aylmer's Chinese is now quite good after taking Mandarin courses three times a week for a year.
Appointed earlier this month to helm Le Royal Meridien Shanghai, the Starwood Hotels & Resorts' flagship in the Asia Pacific region, he actually stepped onboard two weeks ago and is mostly familiarizing himself with the property with 761 rooms and around 800 staff members. He is very clear about his goals and the results he wants.
Aylmer previously was general manager at The Westin Beijing Chaoyang for around four years. He earlier worked in Suzhou, Sanya and Nanjing, his first stop in China, which he called "an eye-opener."
"I really enjoyed every one of them," Aylmer said, referring to the five cities from the popular leisure destination Sanya in the south to the country's gateway political center Beijing in the north. "Hospitality is really about Asia and in Asia right now, China is definitely one of the places to be."
Born to a traditional family in the UK and growing up in Brussels, Belgium, Aylmer made up his mind when he was still in his late teens to quit studying medicine after six months in which he spent much of his time dissecting animals in a lab. His decision dismayed his family who had expected him to go into medicine and his mother was especially upset.
After dropping out of medical school, he landed his first hotel job in Brussels and found himself immediately falling in love with the hotel business. He later received his diploma in hospitality in Switzerland.
"My very initial interest in the hospitality business could actually be dated back to the early school days when I was only 13 or 14 years old," recalled Aylmer, who has been involved in the hotel industry for 17 years. "I really enjoyed organizing people together, making celebrations or throwing parties, and fortunately I was quite talented in that."
He embarked on his hotel career officially in 1995 in Florida of the United States.
Aylmer, now a 15-year veteran with Starwood Hotels & Resorts, assumed his first general manager's position at the Sheraton Suzhou Hotel & Towers in December 2004, remarkably meeting his own target of becoming a general manager of a luxury hotel at the age of 32. He set that ambitious goal for himself when he first entered the industry for reasons that he himself couldn't quite explain.
And his career success at such an early age, compared to many of his counterparts, has been achieved through energy, passion and hard work devoted to his job.
"What I always believe is that you must love what you do to succeed," said the general manager, who usually works from 7am to 9pm. "I don't really see it as a job and it is my passion.
"The best part of this job, a time-consuming business indeed, though, is the people or the emotional connection established with guests and associates, which makes every day a different one and brings great memories as well," he added.
"I feel very lucky to have a great property as well as a great team," Aylmer said of Le Meridien's prime location on Nanjing Road Pedestrian Mall.
Apart from his latest appointment with the hotel, a priority, Aylmer also shoulders enhanced leadership responsibilities in his new role as area managing director for Starwood in the east China region. He is responsible for overseeing Starwood properties across the region under nine distinct brands, including 22 operational properties as well as another eight to 10 hotels that are under construction.
"My ultimate goal is to become a great general manager of a great hotel and that's what I would like people to say about me," Aylmer said.
Aylmer is passionate about rugby and music. He's also a family man who enjoys spending as much time as possible with his wife and two sons.
Le Meridien's new Signature Breakfast, designed in partnership with culinary genius and three-star Michelin Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, features eye-opening elixirs with unconventional combinations of fruits such as oranges, carrots and raspberries, and herbs and spices such as chilies, cloves and pepper. Breakfast entrees are new interpretations of classic breakfast items such as Croque Madame, Smoked Salmon Silken Tofu Crunchy Bagel, and Espresso Steamed Eggs and Toasted Brioche, among others.
A clear departure from the traditional Sunday brunch, La Vie en Rose blossoms with creativity, personal and charming guest service, free flowing Mumm Rose and Mumm Brut Champagne, and a spectacularly lavish buffet. At La Vie en Rose, the caviar, foie gras and fresh seafood are only the beginning to a beautiful Sunday. Guests enjoy sampling Le Royal Meridien Chef's Taste of Discovery Stations, where every Sunday new delicious dishes are on offer. Or relax and order from the Terrace Barbeque Menu varieties of grilled steaks, meats and seafood made to order and delivered directly to the table. Take a trip fantastic through the Gourmet Chocolate and Dessert Bar.
2012 ~ present: General manager of Le Royal Meridien Shanghai and area managing director of Starwood Hotels & Resorts' East China
2008 ~ 2012:General manager of The Westin Beijing Chaoyang
2004 ~ 2008: General manager of Sheraton Suzhou Hotel & Towers
First moving to China in 2000, Aylmer's Chinese is now quite good after taking Mandarin courses three times a week for a year.
Appointed earlier this month to helm Le Royal Meridien Shanghai, the Starwood Hotels & Resorts' flagship in the Asia Pacific region, he actually stepped onboard two weeks ago and is mostly familiarizing himself with the property with 761 rooms and around 800 staff members. He is very clear about his goals and the results he wants.
Aylmer previously was general manager at The Westin Beijing Chaoyang for around four years. He earlier worked in Suzhou, Sanya and Nanjing, his first stop in China, which he called "an eye-opener."
"I really enjoyed every one of them," Aylmer said, referring to the five cities from the popular leisure destination Sanya in the south to the country's gateway political center Beijing in the north. "Hospitality is really about Asia and in Asia right now, China is definitely one of the places to be."
Born to a traditional family in the UK and growing up in Brussels, Belgium, Aylmer made up his mind when he was still in his late teens to quit studying medicine after six months in which he spent much of his time dissecting animals in a lab. His decision dismayed his family who had expected him to go into medicine and his mother was especially upset.
After dropping out of medical school, he landed his first hotel job in Brussels and found himself immediately falling in love with the hotel business. He later received his diploma in hospitality in Switzerland.
"My very initial interest in the hospitality business could actually be dated back to the early school days when I was only 13 or 14 years old," recalled Aylmer, who has been involved in the hotel industry for 17 years. "I really enjoyed organizing people together, making celebrations or throwing parties, and fortunately I was quite talented in that."
He embarked on his hotel career officially in 1995 in Florida of the United States.
Aylmer, now a 15-year veteran with Starwood Hotels & Resorts, assumed his first general manager's position at the Sheraton Suzhou Hotel & Towers in December 2004, remarkably meeting his own target of becoming a general manager of a luxury hotel at the age of 32. He set that ambitious goal for himself when he first entered the industry for reasons that he himself couldn't quite explain.
And his career success at such an early age, compared to many of his counterparts, has been achieved through energy, passion and hard work devoted to his job.
"What I always believe is that you must love what you do to succeed," said the general manager, who usually works from 7am to 9pm. "I don't really see it as a job and it is my passion.
"The best part of this job, a time-consuming business indeed, though, is the people or the emotional connection established with guests and associates, which makes every day a different one and brings great memories as well," he added.
"I feel very lucky to have a great property as well as a great team," Aylmer said of Le Meridien's prime location on Nanjing Road Pedestrian Mall.
Apart from his latest appointment with the hotel, a priority, Aylmer also shoulders enhanced leadership responsibilities in his new role as area managing director for Starwood in the east China region. He is responsible for overseeing Starwood properties across the region under nine distinct brands, including 22 operational properties as well as another eight to 10 hotels that are under construction.
"My ultimate goal is to become a great general manager of a great hotel and that's what I would like people to say about me," Aylmer said.
Aylmer is passionate about rugby and music. He's also a family man who enjoys spending as much time as possible with his wife and two sons.
Le Meridien's new Signature Breakfast, designed in partnership with culinary genius and three-star Michelin Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, features eye-opening elixirs with unconventional combinations of fruits such as oranges, carrots and raspberries, and herbs and spices such as chilies, cloves and pepper. Breakfast entrees are new interpretations of classic breakfast items such as Croque Madame, Smoked Salmon Silken Tofu Crunchy Bagel, and Espresso Steamed Eggs and Toasted Brioche, among others.
A clear departure from the traditional Sunday brunch, La Vie en Rose blossoms with creativity, personal and charming guest service, free flowing Mumm Rose and Mumm Brut Champagne, and a spectacularly lavish buffet. At La Vie en Rose, the caviar, foie gras and fresh seafood are only the beginning to a beautiful Sunday. Guests enjoy sampling Le Royal Meridien Chef's Taste of Discovery Stations, where every Sunday new delicious dishes are on offer. Or relax and order from the Terrace Barbeque Menu varieties of grilled steaks, meats and seafood made to order and delivered directly to the table. Take a trip fantastic through the Gourmet Chocolate and Dessert Bar.
2012 ~ present: General manager of Le Royal Meridien Shanghai and area managing director of Starwood Hotels & Resorts' East China
2008 ~ 2012:General manager of The Westin Beijing Chaoyang
2004 ~ 2008: General manager of Sheraton Suzhou Hotel & Towers
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