lagniappe
Jan-Hendrik
Meidinger
general manager , Park Hyatt Saigon
German national Jan- Hendrik Meidinger has spent his career making himself at home in Asia , serving in positions ranging from assistant front office manager at Grand Hyatt Hong Kong to hotel manager at Grand Hyatt Taipei . After spending three years as general manager of Hyatt Regency Guam , last spring Meidinger took over as GM of the 244-room Park Hyatt Saigon , one of the city ’ s central landmarks . Meidinger certainly is dedicated to his job , but like many hoteliers , he wishes he had more time for his family , particularly his wife and two sons .
What is your favorite travel item ? A small pillow and some toys from my boys ( ages 6 and 7 ) — so that “ I don ’ t forget them ,” as per them . These toys will appear in photos in different locations to tell a story of my travels .
What do most people not know about you ? There was a period where I was fully up-to-date with the developments on “ Project Runway .”
What is on your nightstand ? Usually some slow-moving books , an alarm clock and the latest Men ’ s Health magazine .
What was your favorite childhood hobby ? Playmobil . It allowed me to let my vivid imagination run free , and I was a true boy in the middle of cowboys and Indians , pirates and knights .
What is your most embarrassing work moment ? A guest called to complain that a jar of nuts in his room had been opened . After introducing myself , I started to address his problem — or so I thought — saying , “ Good afternoon , sir , I understand someone touched your nuts .” Instantly the matter was resolved , and the conversation finished rather quickly !
Why did you choose to work in hotels ? When I was 16 , after having completed a rather uninspiring internship in a publishing house , my grandfather — a chief editor in the same publishing house , who tried to move me in this direction — mentioned to me that he could see me working in a hotel . This conversation stuck with me , and I immediately knew my “ calling .”
What celebrity would you most like to meet and why ? [ Former Secretary-General of the United Nations ] Kofi Annan — to learn about his view on today ’ s world .
What is your best hotel memory ? This one is easy . I was working as a concierge at the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten in Hamburg , Germany . It was a beautiful day , and the large windows allowed the sun to fill up the lobby and turn it into a magical orchestra of lights . Exactly at the moment when the sunlight reflected off the crystal chandelier and fell onto the hotel ’ s staircase , I looked up and saw the most beautiful woman walking down these stairs . I was instantly hooked , and I am happy to say that this woman is now my wife .
64 HOTELS January / February 2015 www . hotelsmag . com