Name: Peter Mainguy
Title: General Manager
Company, city: The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore
Number of employees: 600
Recent project: In late 2013 we refreshed the Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge to provide panoramic Marina Bay views, enhanced culinary offerings and eight wines available through an Enomatic dispensing system. The Drawing Room features drawing paper, coloring pencils and an easel for guests who want to explore their creativity, while The Library serves as an alternative boardroom-style meeting venue for Club guests.
First job: My first job was as a newspaper delivery boy in London at age 12. My entry into hospitality came at 24, when I worked as a room service attendant at a hotel in Brussels.
Little-known fact about you: I enjoy competitive off-road rally motorcycling and motocross racing, and I collect and restore American classic muscle cars.
Your Business
Essential business philosophy: I subscribe to Henry Ford’s idea of surrounding yourself with competent people. As a leader, I focus on building a strong team of leaders with diverse strengths who can drive the Ritz-Carlton brand and legacy forward.
Best way to keep a competitive edge: Empowerment is key. When employees feel empowered they become confident, passionate and more likely to innovate, which helps us continuously exceed guest expectations and strengthens the business.
Yardstick of success: Recent recognition by Aon Hewitt named the hotel Best Employer for Hotels in Singapore 2015. We consistently rank in the top five on TripAdvisor and in their annual Travelers’ Choice Awards. Additional measures include Employee and Customer Satisfaction Indexes, RevPAR Index, and house profit and margin metrics.
Peter Mainguy as a Traveler
What is the most important item you take when traveling? iPhone, tablet, carry-on bag only and helmet.
How do you spend your time on board? I catch up on movies, listen to music and read digital subscriptions.
What is your favorite restaurant in the world? Lori’s Café in Liberty, Maine — a genuine greasy spoon I visit when I return home. I appreciate its local atmosphere, fresh food, engaged owner and friendly service.
What is your favorite destination in the world? Zimbabwe.
About The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore
What can business travelers expect at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore?
Located in the heart of Marina Bay, The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore offers guests rooms with panoramic city views and a Club Lounge that presents five daily culinary offerings along with occasional experiential events. Business travelers can expect attentive service from our ladies and gentlemen, convenient access to the Central Business District and proximity to the Suntec and Sands Expo convention centers.
How do you incorporate the culture of Singapore into your property?
The hotel houses 4,200 works of art. In 2007 we introduced an art tour podcast that highlights signature pieces across levels One to Three; guests may borrow an iPod from the concierge for tours available in English, Chinese and Japanese. Architectural touches inspired by feng shui—such as octagonal windows in guest rooms—add a local sensibility. Our Marina Bay Discovery Trail, created by the concierge team, guides guests on an easy walking tour of Marina Bay’s iconic attractions.
Tell our readers about exciting plans/promotions at The Ritz-Carlton, Singapore in 2015.
Both signature restaurants, Greenhouse and Summer Pavilion, are undergoing redesigns and are scheduled to reopen in late August with interiors by award-winning New York designer Tony Chi. The lobby will feature six live art installations that document the restaurants’ transformation phases. Additionally, we launched a Celebrate Singapore, Celebrate You room offer to commemorate Singapore’s Golden Jubilee. The package has been well received and includes an exclusive limited-edition Ritz-Carlton lion beanie dressed in a red-and-white “Singapore 50” jersey.