HOW DOES THE ST. REGIS ACCOMMODATE THE NEEDS OF LUXURY BUSINESS AND LEISURE TRAVELERS?
Guests at St. Regis Hotels and Resorts and The Luxury Collection include entrepreneurs, senior executives and high-profile travelers who often blend business with leisure. Their itineraries are fast-paced, and they rely on service that removes friction so they can focus on work or relaxation.
Signature butler service drives strong guest loyalty by anticipating and fulfilling both professional and personal needs. Butlers manage everything from garment pressing and packing to arranging in-room tea and coffee and coordinating meetings or transportation. For added convenience, many properties offer airport check-in so guests can bypass lines and proceed directly to their rooms on arrival.
The Atlanta St. Regis, a five-diamond property, illustrates the brand’s legacy of refined hospitality that began with John Jacob Astor’s vision for The St. Regis New York in 1904. Across the brands, repeat visitation is exceptional, with return rates among the highest in the industry—an indicator of consistent service and memorable experiences.
STARWOOD RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THE 100TH HOTEL UNDER THE ST. REGIS AND LUXURY COLLECTION BRANDS. WHAT CHANGES CAN OUR READERS EXPECT?
Guests can expect continuity in the level of true luxury that defines both brands, along with thoughtful cultural and local programming. Events such as the St. Regis International Polo Cup, recently held in Singapore, highlight the brand’s commitment to distinctive experiences; plans to expand the event to locations such as Hong Kong and Thailand underscore an emphasis on signature moments that resonate with guests worldwide.
HOW HAS THE ST. REGIS BEEN AFFECTED BY THE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN? WHAT TRENDS ARE YOU SEEING?
The business divides into two clear segments: traditional corporate and luxury travelers, and affluent families seeking high-end leisure. Corporate travel started to recover in the fall of 2009 and has shown steady improvement, even if recovery has been gradual. The family leisure segment—especially ski and beach destinations—has remained robust. In 2010, our resort properties posted record results, signaling strong demand for luxury leisure. Within the portfolio, The Luxury Collection delivered strong market share among Starwood brands, while St. Regis hotels led their category in revenue per available room, reflecting continued premium positioning.
TELL OUR READERS ABOUT YOUR CAREER IN HOSPITALITY.
My hospitality career began at Bournemouth University, where I studied hotel management and initially considered becoming a chef. I discovered my strengths lay in sales and service, and I progressed to lead regional sales teams. When Starwood acquired Ciga Hotels, which formed the nucleus of The Luxury Collection, I became more involved with the luxury segment. My roles have included director of sales and marketing for northwest Europe and work in the brands’ design center. Today I lead brand marketing for The St. Regis and The Luxury Collection, focusing on preserving heritage while evolving offerings to meet contemporary guest expectations.