Grand Hilton Seoul caters to comprehensive needs
Grand Hilton Seoul (www.grand-seoul.hilton.com) is under the guidance of hotel management guru Mr. Bernhard Brender. He has spent 16 years of his career in Korean hotels, including the Sheraton Walker Hill, Westin Chosun, and Millennium Seoul Hilton. He came to the Grand Hilton Seoul on November 1, 2006. The Korea IT Times is pleased to be able to present an exclusive interview with him -- Ed.
Q: First of all, what's the strategy to boost the room reservation rate or the user number of incidental facilities such as the convention center and function rooms
A: In a team effort I will focus on selective corporate, government, convention and congress business. We are attractive to guests because of the nature of our location and business variety of 100 Super Deluxe Apartments along with a state of the art convention Center. Also, we have enough free parking spaces to accommodate everybody. To launch a new car model we have the perfect chemistry and test driving opportunities. We enjoy being the closest super deluxe hotel to the Incheon and Gimpo airports, and only 15 minutes from downtown. Our clientele enjoy their early morning walks up to the mountain, to refill their lungs with fresh oxygen.
Q: But compared with other leading hotels such as Grand Hyatt or Shilla, does the Grand Hilton Hotel have disadvantages such as long distances from the downtown area or low recommendations And how will you overcome such disadvantages
A: Good question. Like I said we are only 15-20 minutes near the City Hall and shopping centers. I give the choice to the clientele; let them decide how far they like to travel to reach us. If the customer wants to go to the Shilla they have their reason, which is fine with me. I will not steal them away from them although we share the same fine spirit of hospitality that they do. As a matter of fact, I am very proud of our top class competitors in town, because without them the guests have nothing to compare with. They stimulate and motivate owners and team leaders to stay focused and do their best. We must support with our brands the KNTO mission to lure foreign tourists and investors to Korea. We are in one boat and share one vision to compete with our neighbor countries to shape Korea into a destination, not just a stopover from A to B.
Q: The Grand Hilton hotel is similar in name to the Millennium Hilton Seoul. How do you differentiate your hotel from the Millennium
A: We have nature woodlands behind our house and the Millennium Seoul Hilton has the Namsan Mountain. Both have distinguished fine facilities. The Millennium Owner CDL in Singapore bought the Hotel from Daewoo Company and is an excellent Hotel operation caring about the product and service. The Grand Hilton owner family Lee is of royal decent and are truly professional operators taking good care of their employees and guests. Both hotels enjoy having leading airlines sleeping with them because they know somebody is watching them when resting and sleeping, feeling safe and secure. Both hotels offer the very Hilton Honor Membership preferred by FIT business travelers.
Q: Do you have any plans to start new services or innovations in your hotel
A: First of all we enhance our existing first class facilities and create new outlets already in the pipeline. Our wellestablished Babalu hired a first class life band for Happy Hours from 5-7. It is now labeled as the talk of the town where the big boys and big girls meet. Management is shaping a weekend Certified Executive Program called "Success or Failure," deal or no deal based on the melting iceberg theory and moved by Chinese principles. First class table manners, royal hospitality services practices, and wine knowledge will be lectured by the GM himself with the Training Expert Miss Kim.
Q: As you know, the Grand Hilton Hotel has service residences. How do you take advantage of such an edge
A: Despite the growing apartments in the city we remain the preferred brand for apartment housing. We are able to provide room service, housekeeping and all hotel services especially the health club and pool facilities. With the hotel's 400 room facility we can cater for short term and with the residence long-term business. That is why we have the competitive edge and the perfect advantage.
Q: What is in your opinion next year's hotel market competition
A: KNTO [Korea National Tourism Organization] reported yesterday a 7% increase in tourism. They are forecasting 7 million visitors coming to Korea. I feel very confident that we will have our share of business with 7% increase in revenue. As a GM my primary task each day is to build relationships with new guests and take care of the existing loyal clientele. Sales volume must go up in order to manage all rising costs in fixed and variable expense.
Q: In the light of the fact that you have served 16 years in Seoul, what is your impression of the Grand Hilton Hotel
A: I've always felt that it's a quality hotel and the bestkept secret in town, enjoying a prime location nestled in woodland scenery close to heaven.
Because of the owner's care and consistent investment in the hard and software the hotel enjoys the current support of the society.
Q: The convention center in the Grand Hilton Seoul is a state of the art facility. How can you compare it with another hotel's convention center
A: Its prime location and easy access to the independent building close to the hotel and apartment facility. The perfect place for weddings, medical and care exhibitions with modern new facilities built in 2001.
Finally our well-trained and caring staff makes the difference for our international clientele from Korea and around the world.
