LAGNIAPPE
HENRIQUES
GENERAL MANAGER , PHULAY BAY , A RITZ-CARLTON RESERVE , KRABI , THAILAND
Leading Ritz-Carlton ’ s first Reserve property is no small challenge , but Ana Henriques took on that task a couple years ago more than ready for the experience . With more than 20 years on her hospitality resume , Henriques started as a cost controller at the Hotel Estoril Eden in her native Portugal , but she also has held posts ranging from F & B to sales and marketing . Nevertheless , this ambitious GM knows professional life isn ’ t everything , and counts learning to be less demanding of herself and others among her most important lessons .
What is your hotel pet peeve ? I am very particular about bed setting and pillows . All pillows on the bed need to be perfectly aligned to make sure the bed gives you this sense of comfort , cleanliness and perfection that makes you sleep and relax like in no other place .
What is your favorite travel item ? My iPad . I like to be in constant contact with friends and family , upload pictures and read the morning newspaper . It is the one tech item I cannot leave without .
What is the best idea you have ever stolen ? One day I went with our Thai owners and colleagues to the town of Krabi , and we experienced a local and simple street food called roti . It is a very light and delicate crepe that Thais eat with tea . We all loved it ! The next day I asked our pastry chef to reinvent it in a “ refined and Ritz-Carlton way ” for our Thai restaurant guests . It was a big success . I loved the fact that inspiration can come from places you could never imagine . You always need to keep your eyes wide open .
What is one thing most people don ’ t know about you ? My first job was in the kitchen , where for a month-and-a-half my role was to clean squid all day long . I think about that as a reminder to always stay humble .
What would you like to have more time for ? My family in Portugal . I try to be as present as I can with Skype video calls . Technology helps us .
What was your favorite childhood hobby ? Horseback riding . That was actually how I met my husband , and we are still together after 20 years of marriage . I believe I chose the right hobby .
What was your hardest professional moment ? When I was 22 years old I had to report to the GM about another manager who was stealing from the company . It was very difficult , as I had to choose between the natural instincts of protecting a fellow colleague and doing what was right . I believe you always know inside what is right and what is not , and you need to find the strength to stand up for what it is right .
Why did you choose to work in hotels ? For the natural instinct of pleasing others and making everyone feel at home .
If you were not a hotelier , what would you be ? An architect .
What is your best hotel memory ? Enjoying a glass of Chardonnay at Tanzania Lodge while looking at the sunset in Ngoro Ngoro Crater .
64 HOTELS December 2013 www . hotelsmag . com