lagniappe
What was your favorite childhood hobby ? Reading . My version of being grounded as a child was the confiscation of my library card .
What was your most embarrassing moment on the job ? I was transferred from Singapore to open a luxury property in New Orleans . Jet lag and all , I was asked to be in the lobby of the hotel that I was staying in at noon to be escorted to the construction site . I saw a Caucasian man in a polo shirt , khakis and work boots with dust all over him . He went up to reception , and I realized he was looking for me when I heard him struggling to pronounce my last name . I went up to him and said , “ You must be my driver !” Then he introduced himself as my managing director . This was way before Facebook and social media . The good news is he could not have been more gracious , and I eventually became his hotel manager .
Shan Kanagasingham
general manager , The Surrey , new york CiTy
After more than two decades working in hotels from the Mandarin Oriental , Hong Kong , to The Tides in South Miami Beach , Shan Kanagasingham has spent the past three years remaking Denihan Hospitality Group ’ s The Surrey into a high-end destination . Her years traveling the globe helped her become fluent in Malaysian , Indonesian and French , so it is not surprising the one thing she most wishes she had more time for is travel .
What is your hotel pet peeve ? When a room attendant places personal garments that are left on the bed on top of my luggage . My luggage has wiped the floor of the best parts of this world , and the notion of anything that touches my skin on my luggage is a deal breaker .
What is one thing most people don ’ t know about you ? I had a stutter growing up and had speech therapy to correct it .
What celebrity would you most like to meet ? Sir Ahmed Salman Rushdie . His books were banned when I was growing up in Malaysia , so he was always someone who intrigued me .
Why did you choose to work in hotels ? To be the host of guests from all over the world , to engage people from all walks of life and to create relationships that are lifelong . I get to live all around the world , immerse myself in different cultures and do what I love . All this coupled with the privilege of leading a world-class team is a gift .
If you were not a hotelier , what would you be ? A vintner . The idea of having my own vineyard and making wine began to take seed when I went to school in Switzerland and spent a month picking , crushing and pressing grapes . I was amazed at the many steps to the process and the love and traditions that go into it .
Who taught you your biggest lesson , and what was it ? My father taught me to be the very best that I can be at all times , play to win and work hard .
64 HOTELS April 2014 www . hotelsmag . com