EDITOR ’ S DIARY
A salute to HOTELKEEPING
I
focus on hotel data all the time – performance , M & A trends , deal prices , cap rates , margins and more . They are the strongest markers we have and offer guidance on what to expect next . After all , I see a big part of my job as helping you understand what ’ s ahead . But another part of my job is to inspire you , and when I put to bed an issue such as this one , where we profile two great hoteliers recognized by their peers as HOTELS Hoteliers of the World , my level of satisfaction is so much higher . The highlight of my year , now 28 completed at HOTELS , is this issue where we recognize excellence in hotelkeeping . I have
Editor In Chief the honor of interviewing true global leaders who have toiled for the better parts of their service-driven careers , dedicated to continually perfecting their crafts , loving the art form of providing shelter and sustenance . I tend to romanticize it – maybe a bit too much because we all know it is hard work , long hours , too many surprises . Nonetheless , I don ’ t let it burst my bubble about the beauty of this business .
This month , we feature two luxury hoteliers , Aman COO Roland Fasel , and The Peninsula Chicago ’ s Maria Zec , chosen by their peers , primarily the past winners from what is now a 42-year-old awards program , as being at the top of their games .
I hope you read their profiles because I think there are great takeaways about how to best ply your trade . There are great stories from their careers that I am sure you can relate to and might even make you chuckle .
Most importantly for me , as part of this amazing community , I hope you relate to what makes a career in the hotel business special . Fasel and Zec wax beautifully about what the business has meant to them and how it has helped them grow as individuals . Again , I hope you can relate .
So , when you and I again get caught up in the data , please don ’ t forget the other side of the hotel industry equation – the real reason most of you work in this space . The ability to serve guests , to help them create lasting memories , is noble . The opportunity to help someone grow a career , to become one of their mentors and to share in the blood , sweat and tears of the hotel business can be a beautiful thing .
To Roland and Maria , to all the past winners of the Hotelier of the World award , all the previous nominees of this special recognition program , and to all of HOTELS long-time and newly minted readers around the world , I salute you for your hospitality and daily devotion to one of the world ’ s best professions .
EDITORIAL Jeff Weinstein Editor In Chief
Kathakali Nandi Editorial Writer
Josefina Morley Editorial Coordinator
Juan Cruz del Val Designer
Contributing Writers Jeanette Hurt , Megan Rowe , Juliana Shallcross ,
Alicia Sheber
PUBLISHING Ali Jahangiri CEO
Brian Levine Publisher
Marie Ekberg Padilla Senior Editor
INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD Nakul Anand Executive Director , ITC Ltd ., Gurgaon , India
Stephen Bartolin President , Broadmoor Sea Island Co ., Colorado Springs , Colorado
Robert Hecker Managing Director , Horwath HTL Asia Pacific , Singapore
Ramsey Mankarious CEO , Cedar Capital Partners , London
Christopher Nassetta President and CEO , Hilton , McLean , Virginia
Monika Nerger Chief Information Officer , Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group , Atlanta
Susan Terry Vice President of Culinary and Food and Beverage Operations , Marcus Hotels & Resorts , Milwaukee , Wisconsin
Trevor Ward Managing Director , W Hospitality Group , Lagos , Nigeria
ADVERTISING Caroline de Donnea
ADMINISTRATION Kristi Carlson Maureen Millerick
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6 hotelsmag . com Nov / Dec 2022