Facing the Sea with Spring Flowers Blossoming
--Exclusive Interview with Desmond Wang, General Manager of Xiamen Marriott Hotel & Conference Centre
面朝大海，春暖花开
——专访厦门万豪酒店及会议中心总经理王健先生
从明天起，做一个幸福的人；喂马、劈柴，周游世界；从明天起，关心粮食和蔬菜；我有一所房子，面朝大海，春暖花开。从明天起，和每一个亲人通信；告诉他们我的幸福；那幸福的闪电告诉我的；我将告诉每一个人。给每一条河每一座山取一个温暖的名字；陌生人，我也为你祝福；愿你有一个灿烂的前程；愿你有情人终成眷属；愿你在尘世获得幸福；我只愿面朝大海，春暖花开！
看完厦门万豪酒店及会议中心的相关资料，笔者心中首先浮起的，便是海子的这首《面朝大海，春暖花开》。为何呢？这得从本期大酒店传媒的封面故事人物——厦门万豪酒店及会议中心总经理王健先生及其麾下的高管团队说起了。
王健先生，出生于精致古老的江南之乡扬州，在国内获得学士学位之后，他前往狮城新加坡继续深造，在此期间，接触到了酒店行业，经过一段时间的工作接触，他发现自己很喜欢这个充满激情和人情味的行业。回国后，他毅然选择了酒店行业，并留在当时国际高星级酒店云集的首都北京工作。工作期间，为了继续提升自己，他还通过学习获得了美国康奈尔大学的酒店管理硕士学位。在北京积累了丰富的房务工作经验之后，王健先生于2015年加入珠海新骏景万豪酒店，担任驻店经理，从筹备到酒店顺利开业的2年期间，他带领团队完成了诸多出色的业绩，2017年7月，被万豪国际任命为厦门万豪酒店及会议中心总经理。
本期大酒店传媒将在总经理王健先生的带领下，走进即将开业的厦门万豪酒店及会议中心，深入了解该酒店的背景及特色，为大家揭开它的神秘面纱！同时，本次大酒店传媒为了深入挖掘厦门万豪酒店及会议中心，对王健先生麾下的七名酒店高管也都分别做了一个小采访。他们分别是驻店经理沙剑锋先生，财务总监时建军先生，市场销售总监赵丽女士，人力资源总监张璇女士，房务总监熊晓耘女士，餐饮总监陈健强先生以及工程总监朱年丰先生。
王健先生和团队中的七名高管身处酒店各部门的管理要职，对整个酒店的运作及各部门之间的协调有着承上启下的重要作用，用驻店经理沙剑锋先生的话来概括，即“目标一致、换位思考、求同存异、协作共赢”。他们统筹监控着酒店的总体发展方向，同时又在细节上努力地展现酒店各方面的特色。可以说，正是因为王健先生及其团队的倾力奉献与协作，厦门万豪酒店及会议中心的开业才筹备得如此顺利！
据王健先生介绍，厦门万豪酒店及会议中心是万豪国际2017年在福建省开展的一个重要项目，也是万豪国际集团在福建省开设的第一家万豪品牌酒店。酒店位于厦门环东海域西海岸，交通便捷，距离厦门高崎机场仅需20分钟，周边有厦门方特梦幻王国、凯歌高尔夫俱乐部、集美学村、同安影视城等景区。
“面朝大海，春暖花开”正是厦门万豪酒店及会议中心的最佳写照，市场销售总监赵丽女士介绍：酒店坐落于同安区有着厦门的东方“迈阿密”之称的环东海域，拥有5公里迷人的沙滩、60公里海岸线、5万平米红树林湿地公园、马拉松跑道、方特梦幻王国等配套设施。而这些，都是酒店的极富竞争力的特色卖点。同时，房务总监熊晓耘女士亦道：在酒店设计翘楚香港PLD刘波设计顾问公司的设计下，万豪国际集团管理理念、价值观与当地特色被完美结合：厦门万豪酒店及会议中心的室内装修融合了福建深厚茶艺文化、厦门白鹭羽之优雅以及同安湾丰富海洋元素；酒店所拥有的284间客房，16间套房，13栋别墅和大型商务接待中心，均可欣赏海景风光，宽敞的客房露台可凭栏临风，尽览海滨之美，处处彰显面朝大海，春暖花开般的幸福感。
对于筹开如此关键的一家酒店，王健先生表示，他的理想是打造一家充满幸福感的酒店，正如万豪国际创始人万豪先生所言：“如果你好好照顾我们的同事，他们会悉心照顾我们的客人，这样，客人就会回来。”王健先生希望将来大家对他的酒店的印象更多的是幸福感。他希望在这家酒店工作的员工觉得很幸福，将来下榻酒店客人的体验感也是幸福的，同时，业主方对酒店在各方面取得的成绩也感到幸福。对此，人力资源总监张璇女士也表示：万豪集团以90年的品牌积累和关怀员工的核心价值吸引着员工，让员工入住即认为家。为了照顾员工的身心健康，万豪推出了Go. be. Happy. 主题活动，教大家如何健康饮食，如何运动，厦门万豪酒店更是为员工准备了运动手环等实用运动辅助工具，照顾每一位同事的身心健康。
总的来说，厦门万豪酒店及会议中心的定位是一家以会议会务为特色的酒店，酒店在会议会务的硬件配备上本就一流，酒店拥有近4,000平米的会议及宴会场地，包括2个宴会厅及8个多功能厅，均配备先进的会务设施设备，可满足各式宴会及会议活动的需求；其中万豪大宴会厅位于酒店3楼，无柱式的大厅面积达1,280平米，带落地玻璃窗，可隔为3个独立宴会厅使用，内嵌高清巨型LED屏；而600平米的宴会前厅带全景落地窗，可尽览优美园林景观；680平米的无柱式厦门宴会厅位于主楼一楼，配有高清LED屏，适合举办各类中型宴会及会议；其它8间多功能会议室则从65平米到580平米不等，适合举行各类小型会议。而酒店独有的大型商务接待中心更是为会议和会务提供了更多灵感选择，该接待中心亦配有4个不同规格的会议室，3个中式包房及1个VIP包房。
同时，厦门万豪酒店及会议中心还致力于以齐全的配套设施以及万豪品牌独特的服务理念，打造一家集商务会议以及旅游度假于一体的综合型酒店，为创意无限一族提供更多精彩体验。鉴于此，餐饮总监陈健强先生显得很积极，介绍道：酒店不仅配备有可俯瞰辽阔海景的中餐厅、昼夜风格迥异的西餐厅、日本餐厅、池畔餐厅以及甜品店，还配备了面朝大海，心旷景美的露天烧烤吧，以及提供更多私享空间的红酒屋、雪茄吧。在此基础上，他亦将秉持“了解厦门、品味厦门、融入厦门”的餐饮策略创造属于酒店自己的特色餐饮！
另外，酒店还配备有桌球室、乒乓球室、棋牌室、私家影院等文娱活动设施，隐于园林之中的水疗中心，让宾客在享受护理的同时可近距离观赏户外葱郁的园林景观，以及包含3个户外泳池、1个恒温室内泳池、健身房、桌球室、保龄球馆、棋牌室的健身中心和儿童俱乐部。
保证以上所有硬件设施的正常运转，是酒店工程总监朱年丰先生工作责任的重中之重。被问及筹备时所经受的压力时，他表示：酒店从筹备到运营，过程非常艰辛，要充分考虑到项目整体及各个环节的所有细节，并不断去完成这些细节，还得将项目的时间进度和质量做到最优化组合。他觉得组件一支优秀的工程团队至关重要，因为工程团队是酒店质量的守护者，是设施设备的护理师。注重团队建设与培训，不仅能激发员工的潜能，还能做到事半功倍。
经营一家酒店，除酒店原本的硬件设施外，酒店领导者的个人能力亦非常重要，作为厦门万豪酒店及会议中心的总经理，丰富的经验与卓越的经管能力缺一不可，被问及如何打造这样一家别具特色的酒店时，王健先生的回答精辟而深刻：首先，他希望团队的每一位成员都拥有非常好的态度——工作态度和人生态度。他坚信“态度”决定一切，必须具备良好的态度才有可能做出好的业绩。其次，他希望每个人都充满自信，相信自己的能力和才华。他希望团队是充满激情的，不分年纪，都应该始终保持饱满的热情，激情是快乐工作的源泉。而财务总监时建军先生对此也深表赞同，同时道，一个好的团队需要做到以下八点“良好的道德素养；和谐的团队合作精神；严谨认真的工作作风；积极主动的工作态度；优良的专业素养；具备组织和协同工作的愿望；较强的抗压能力；能够吃苦耐劳及按时完成各项工作。”
最后，谈到筹开这样一家充满幸福感，以会议会务为特色，同时集旅游度假于一体的综合型酒店时，王健先生表示，他自己是充满期待的，他也会和团队制定出更多惊人的度假和会务方案，力求让每一位客人都宾至如归，让我们共同期待吧！
Starting tomorrow, I will be a happy person. Tending my horse, chopping up logs, and traveling all over the world. Starting tomorrow, I will care for crops and vegetables. I have a house; it faces the sea, and flowers bloom in the warmth of the spring. Starting tomorrow, I will contact all my relatives to tell them about my happiness. As that lightning bolt of happiness has told me, I will tell each and every person. Give every river and every mountain a warmhearted name. As for strangers, I wish you happiness too. I wish you a bright future! I wish you a lover who may one day become your spouse. I wish that you obtain happiness in this world. I wish only to face the sea, where flowers bloom in the warmth of spring.
When browsing through the materials of Xiamen Marriott Hotel and Conference Centre, the poem “Facing the Sea with Spring Flowers Blossoming” of Hai Zi recurs to my mind. Why is that? The answers may be found in this issue’s cover story, the exclusive interview with Desmond Wang, General Manager of Xiamen Marriott Hotel & Conference Centre and his executive leadership team.
Born in Yangzhou, an ancient and delicate Southern town in China, Desmond received his Bachelor’s Degree at home and pursued advanced study in Singapore. During his overseas education, he got acquainted with the hotel industry and found himself being deeply affected by this passionate and thoughtful industry. After coming back to China, he was determined to get into the hotel industry and stayed in Beijing for work, the political center of the country where international star hotels are ubiquitous. During this work, he continued improving himself by acquiring a Master’s Degree in Hotel Management of Cornell University. In 2015, Desmond joined Zhuhai Marriott Hotel and assumed the position of Resident Manager. In the past two years at the hotel, Desmond had led his team to accomplish a great deal of achievements. In July, 2017, he was appointed as the General Manager of Xiamen Marriott Hotel & Conference Centre.
Accompanied by such an outstanding and aspiring general manager, Grand Hotels Media was blessed with such an insightful view of the hotel’s background and characteristic within one impressive journey. Since the hotel is opening soon, we want to give readers a comprehensive overview of the hotel, so that interviews with Desmond’s seven EXCOM members including Resident Manager Martin, Financial Controller John, Director of Marketing Vicky, Director of Human Resources Sophy, Director of Rooms Lucia, Director of Food & Beverage KK and Director of Engineering Victor are done elaborately.
Desmond, as well as his seven EXCOM members, has assumed different yet significant posts in the hotel, which plays an indispensable role in coordinating various departments. Concluded by Resident Manager Martin, the whole team shares an identical goal, thinks in each other’s position, agrees to disagree and thus works better together. They have coordinated the overall development of the hotel, and paid great attention on every single detail to present the hotel’s characteristics. Through the dedication and cooperation of the whole team, the opening preparation of Xiamen Marriott Hotel & Conference Centre is processed in a smooth way.
As the first Marriott brand hotel in Fujian province, Xiamen Marriott Hotel & Conference Centre is a key project of the hotel group in 2017. Located in the junction of Tong’an District and Jimei District of Xiamen city, the hotel enjoys a superior geographical position. It takes only 20 minutes to arrive in Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport. Xiamen Fangte Magic Kingdom Theme Park, Xiamen Kaikou Golf Club, Jimei School Village, Tong’an Film and Television Town and other scenery spots are all within the reach.
“Facing the Sea with Spring Flowers Blossoming” is the best depiction of Xiamen Marriott Hotel & Conference Centre. Vicky, the Director of Marketing introduced that the hotel is located in the coastal area of east Xiamen, the oriental Miami, boasting 5-kilometers of beautiful beaches, a 60-kilometer coastline, 50,000-sqm of mangrove park, a marathon runway and Fangte Magic Kingdom Theme Park, which are all selling points and competitive characteristics of the hotel. Lucia, the Director of Rooms supplemented that the hotel, designed by PLD Design Consultants Limited, is a perfect combination of Marriott value and local culture. Deep tea culture of Fujian, the elegance of Xiamen egret and ocean element of Tong’an Bay are all integrated into the hotel’s interior decoration. The grand sea view can be appreciated in the hotel’s 284 guest rooms, 16 suites, 13 villas and Grand Business Reception Centre. Utilizing the spacious terrace room, guests will be totally intoxicated by the view of the soothing water and gentle wind. Thus, simple happiness of “Facing the Sea with Spring Flowers Blossoming” wells up in mind.
Creating a hotel full of happiness is Desmond’s ideal. Just as J.W. Marriott, JR. the founder of the hotel group said, "If you take care of the associate, the associate will take care of the guests and the guests will come back.” From Desmond’s perspective, hospitality means welcoming and serving people as if you were welcoming them into your home. It means starting with that warm invitation to our associates. Happiness is what links employee, guest, owner and the hotel. Sophy, the Director of Human Resources also thinks in the same way. She mentioned that Marriott makes a commitment to make the workplace an environment where employees’ emotional, physical and financial needs matter, an environment where each one of the employees feels like a valued member of a team. The theme activity, Go be Happy is launched to teach employees how to eat healthy and do sports. Practical tools including sport bracelets are also prepared by Xiamen Marriott Hotel & Conference Centre to take employees’ physical and mental health into account.
As a hotel characterized by its meeting service, Xiamen Marriott Hotel & Conference Centre is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities in its meeting sector. The meeting and banquet venue of the hotel is up to 4000 square meters, including two ballrooms and eight function meeting rooms, to cater the various needs of banquet, meeting and event. The 1,280-sqm Marriott Grand Ballroom, located on the 3rd floor of the hotel with floor-to-ceiling windows, pillar-free design and giant HD LED screen, can be flexibly divided into three separate ballrooms. The 600-sqm Foyer provides a swift access to a gorgeous garden landscape through its big window. The 680-sqm pillar-free Xiamen Ballroom is located on the 1st floor, which is suitable for different middle-sized conferences. The rest eight function rooms range from 65 to 580 square meters, offering smart options for organizing small-sized meetings. Grand Business Reception Centre is a gather place for inspiration by its four different-sized meeting rooms, three Chinese-style private rooms and one VIP room.
Meanwhile, Xiamen Marriott Hotel & Conference Centre is also dedicated to building itself into an integrated hotel with business and leisure functions, presenting the most unique Marriott service concept and complete supporting facilities, providing a more splendid experience to creative and energetic young individuals. KK, the Director of Food & Beverage introduced with great confidence that dining in the hotel is definitely a luxurious treat. No matter the Chinese Restaurant where overlooking vast ocean scape is available, the Western Restaurant with distinct outlooks differing between day and night, or the Japanese Restaurant, Pool Bar and the Sweet Shop, Xiamen Marriott Hotel & Conference Centre is your ideal selection. In addition, guests can also appreciate stunningly beautiful scenery in the open-air barbecue bar, or enjoy intimate personal space in Red Wine House and Cigar Bar. KK also creates unique catering characteristics for the hotel by integrating the local culture into it.
Worth mentioning is the hotel also has a number of relaxing and entertainment facilities such as billiards room, tennis room, bowling room, card room, private cinema, three outdoor swimming pools, one indoor heated swimming pool, fitness centre and kid’s club. Spa Centre is also a good choice for guests who want to enjoy a visual feast of the garden scenery during the body care.
To ensure the operation of the above facilities is the responsibility of Victor, the Director of Engineering. Victor confessed that the preparation process of the hotel is not an easy task. Taking account of the overall process of the project as well as every single detail of each part is of great necessity. Guaranteeing the project time and quality at the same time is also essential. In Victor’s point of view, a reliable and superior engineering team is vital since it matters the hotel’s construction quality as well as daily maintenance. Team building and training can not only inspire an employee’s potential, but also yield twice the results with half the effort.
In addition to excellent hardware facilities, personal ability of a leader is also significant for running a hotel. As the General Manager of Xiamen Marriott Hotel & Conference Centre, Desmond has the seasoned experience and extraordinary management skills. Speaking of how to build such a featured hotel, Desmond replied with a penetrating yet impressive answer. First of all, he hopes every member of the team could have the right attitudes towards work and life. He believes that attitude is all. Only with the right attitude can one perform his or her best. Secondly, he hopes everyone in the team could be confident with their ability and talent. He wishes the whole team the passion that he has. Age should never be an excuse for working without great enthusiasm. John, the Financial Controller can’t agree more in this aspect. He also expressed his viewpoint about eight things a good team should accomplish, good moral character, harmonious team spirit, rigorous work style, proactive work attitude, excellent professional knowledge, organizing and coordinating desire, strong resilient strength, hardship bearing ability and work-completion on time.
In the end, Desmond expressed his great expectation towards the opening of Xiamen Marriott Hotel & Conference Centre, an integrated hotel with business and leisure, a hotel characterized by meeting services and a hotel full of happiness. Along with his team, Desmond will be dedicated to creating more amazing vacation and meeting programs, making every effort to provide guests with a home away from home.