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What is your hotel pet peeve ? Internet speed . Everyone is traveling with at least two devices now , and with streaming , it ’ s never enough .
What is something most people don ’ t know about you ? I can dance all night long !
What is on your nightstand ? A glass of water and books . Right now , I ’ m reading “ Midnight at the Pera Palace ” by Charles King , about the modernization of Turkey and how my hotel witnessed this important period .
What was your favorite childhood hobby ? Collecting teddy bears .
What was your most embarrassing moment on the job ? I ’ ve been very fortunate that I have not had many embarrassing moments , but I do remember one instance when I was showing guestrooms to a VIP client and entered a room where there was another guest in the bed . That is a mistake you only make once !
What celebrity would you most like to meet and why ? Sean Connery . He is a legendary actor and still very charismatic .
If you were not a hotelier , what would you be ? I would be definitely in the textile and fashion industry . It ’ s a very colorful , dynamic and disciplined field where interpersonal relations are critical , much like in the hotel business . Plus , it ’ s important to travel to see trends !
Pinar Kartal timer
general manager , Pera Palace Hotel JumeiraH , istanbul
After majoring in tourism and hotel management at Istanbul ’ s Bosphorus University , Pinar Kartal Timer began her career in the revenue department at the Hilton Istanbul in 1988 . Since then she has worked at a number of hotels in sales and marketing , revenue and business development positions , and since February 2009 , she has led Pera Palace Hotel Jumeirah . Timer says she has built her professional life in hotels because of the dynamic environment they offer , allowing her to meet people most others only dream of .
Who taught you your biggest lesson , and what was it ? Nine years ago , I rejected an assistant GM position so as not to discourage one of my very good friends working in the same hotel , as we were both after this promotion . Although I had hoped she would be grateful and appreciate my sacrifice , it became a conflict . She did everything possible to get the promotion , and she succeeded .
What is your best hotel memory ? My most unforgettable hotel experience will be always the re-opening grand ball for the Pera Palace Hotel Jumeirah after a four-year renovation in 2010 . Guests from all over the world were in evening dresses and tuxedos , enjoying an evening with a big band playing waltz and tango and dancing until the early morning to celebrate .
72 HOTELS March 2015 www . hotelsmag . com