PHOTO: © THE PIERRE NY
THE BASICS
Name: Francois Olivier-Luiggi
Title: General manager
Company, city: The Pierre New York, a Taj Hotel; New York City
First job: Assistant manager, Room Service, The ESSEX House, a Nikko Hotel (1994)
Where to next: No plans — happy to be in New York and to continue working with friends and colleagues at The Pierre.
A LITTLE BIT MORE
What actor or actress would play you in a movie of your life?
Anyone tall — at least 6 feet 4 inches — such as Tim Robbins, Donald Sutherland, John Lithgow, Jason Momoa or Brad Garrett (6 feet 8 inches).
What would you be doing professionally if you weren’t in your current industry?
Gardening or landscape design.
What is your favorite book, movie or television show?
Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris and the television series 30 Rock, created by Tina Fey.
What historical figure, dead or alive, would you love to have dinner with?
Auguste Escoffier, the influential French chef, restaurateur and culinary writer.
THE BUSINESS
What is your most recent project, and what was the inspiration behind it?
The most recent project was the renovation of the Pierre Ballroom. The space was the result of an ambitious expansion that extended the original hotel into the adjacent building — a bold move credited to Jean Paul Getty. Restoring the ballroom meant separating the two structures back to their original footprints, reconnecting utilities and returning to the spirit of the 1930s plans by architects Schulze and Weaver, all while keeping the hotel fully operational. It required careful historical research, technical expertise and seamless operational coordination.
What is your favorite aspect of the job?
Leading a team and achieving success together.
What’s the biggest business risk you’ve ever taken?
One of the toughest moments was turning down a last-minute booking of the presidential suite at $50,000 per night for two weeks because I had given a verbal promise to another client who had been unreachable for several days. High-value suite requests often come at the last minute, and preserving trust with clients is crucial. In the end, the original guest appeared and everything worked out, but it was a significant risk tied to honoring commitments and managing expectations.
Who is someone you admire professionally in the travel industry?
Charles Pierre Casalasco. Like me, he was born in Corsica and came to New York in 1900, where he built a distinguished career that culminated in founding The Pierre hotel. His story and legacy are inspiring.
AS A TRAVELER
Tell us about a travel nightmare:
On a business trip to a conference in South Africa, every leg of the journey suffered breakdowns or weather delays. Connections were missed, extra nights in hotels were required, and it took three days to arrive. The return trip had similar disruptions. The silver lining was that the airline later upgraded me to true first class on a subsequent flight, which was a welcome consolation.
Share a comical travel experience:
Once at Chicago O’Hare I was mistaken for Bill Gates. The more I insisted it wasn’t me, the less some passengers believed it. Only when the gate agent checked my boarding pass and passport did the hopeful crowd realize their mistake — to their disappointment.
What is your preferred method of travel — planes, trains, automobiles, cruise ships — and why?
High-speed trains, particularly in Europe and Asia. From France’s TGV to Shanghai’s maglev and the Swiss funiculars, they offer fast, efficient travel with comfort and scenic views.
What has been the best example of customer service you’ve experienced during your travels?
A small family-run hotel in Austria, Alpenresort Walsertal in Faschina, stands out. The son cooks, the parents manage the property and the entire team is warm and attentive. Their passion for service and the authentic way they make guests feel recognized and special make it my favorite example of exceptional hospitality.