LAGNIAPPE
Favorite travel item ?
My Benetton sling bag .
Best hotel operations idea ever stolen ?
At Nobu Hotel Shoreditch we adapted the idea of the welcome amenity of a fruit bowl , but instead , guests are offered a juice and a piece of fruit upon arrival . It ’ s our way of reinventing a classic .
What do most people not know about you ?
I have a pair of purple Doc Martens boots .
Favorite app ?
I have two : The Vogue Magazine app , to keep me updated with the fashion world , and the Elevate app – this hones my vocabulary . I particularly like the speed reading game .
Historical figure you ’ d like to host ?
Winston Churchill , as someone who shaped the U . K . and one of the most influential leaders of recent times .
Who taught you your biggest lesson , and what was it ?
I ’ ve been told by many hoteliers during my career that to achieve perfection you must give 120 %. The extra 20 % allows you the room for mistakes .
GIGI
VEGA
GENERAL MANAGER NOBU HOTEL SHOREDITCH
Nobu Hotel Shoreditch in London , Nobu ’ s first venture in Europe , opened in spring and has had Gigi Vega , formerly vice president of luxury services at Nobu Caesars Palace , firmly manning the helm since day one .
Personal skill or experience that makes you unique as a hotelier ?
As a mother of three , I apply my maternal skills and experiences to managing my team , creating a nurturing environment for my employees with my encouraging managerial style . I ’ ve also always enjoyed team sports , which gives me my competitive streak but also the knowledge that I cannot achieve success alone .
What part of your job requires the most creative thinking or improvisation ?
Keeping my staff motivated and engaged requires constant creative thinking ( especially with this generation ). I am always brainstorming ways to inspire my team through training and staff activities .
Best hotel memory ?
I have stayed in countless luxury hotels with beautiful , opulent interiors , but the best experiences come from the small , personal touches . My best and most unforgettable memory is when the housekeeper cleaned my hairbrush and left a flower right next to it . This was delightful attention to detail that left a smile on my face .
What would you like to have more time for ?
Reading .
If not a hotelier …?
A heart surgeon .
64 hotelsmag . com September 2017