Interview: Wendy Fan  Chinese Version: Xiaochu Feng  English  Version: Helen Wang

Photos: by Tianyu Fields International Hotel

Hongkong Fields International Hospitality Company will launch its first hotel in the ancient city of Xi’an in early spring, 2015. During the final rehearsal for its grand opening, we are honored to have interviewed Mr. Clement Chow, General Manager of Tianyu Fields International Hotel, for his blueprint of the hotel.

Advantageously located in Shanxi Aerospace Economic and Technological Development Zone, the hotel boasts optimal geographical location and becomes the only five-star hotel in the zone. Adjacent to the hotel are QuJiang International Conference and Exhibition Center, QuJiang Commercial Center. In its vicinity, there are stations of Metro Line 2 and Line 4. The hotel is 15 minutes’ drive from Great Wild Goose Pagoda, one of national 5A scenic spots, and 20 minutes’ drive from the Ancient City Wall of the Ming Dynasty built some 600 years ago, and Bell Tower, another landmark of Xi’an, and 45 minutes’ drive from Xi’an Xianyang International Airport. In Mr. Chow’ opinion, Tianyu Fields International Hotel is a perfect starting point for guests to set out on a journey of exploration into various parts of the ancient city of Xi’an.

Sitting in front of us, is Mr. Clement Chow, a veteran hotelier that is affable,prudent and unruffled. Along his 30 years’ hotel management career, Mr. Clement Chow have worked in different places across the world, which lends tolerance and generosity to his prudent temperament as we can tell from his speech and manners. Richly experienced as he is, Mr. Clement Chow admits that his current appointment comes with great,unprecedented challenge.

The decision to launch a 5-star hotel in the Shanxi Aerospace Economic and Technological Development Zone is based on 3 major reasons. Firstly, this national aerospace base has been developing with great momentum in the past few years. Secondly, the zone enjoys advantageous geographical location with easy traffic to historic sites and business centers. Thirdly, enormous potential lies in Xi’an’s cultural tourism. The absence of a high standard hotel in such a prosperous development zone is a market gap yet to be filled. Once launched, Tianyu Fields International Hotel will undoubtedly become the top choice of international corporations and local businesses in the zone. However, greatest expectations will be placed on the hotel as well.

As a new hotel chain from Hong Kong, Tianyu Fields International Hotel hopes to bring to individual guests the original “Bauhinia Service Standard” characteristic of Fields, in order to quickly establish a premium brand image.  The inspiration for its brand logo Fields is drawn from bauhinia, the emblem of Hong Kong Special Administration Region. And it comprises 5Fs, namely, Fields Hotel, Five Star Standard Service, Functional, Friendly, Family, which connote a 5-star hotel with Bauhinia Service Standard, professional team, cordial service mentality, homey hospitality, combined to deliver 5-star hotel service.

The 1st General Manager of Tianyu Fields International Hotel, Mr. Clement Chow first came to China as early as 1993. Speaking of the tremendous changes that have taken place over the past 20 years in China, Mr.Chow radiates amazement and admiration. What impressed him most is how the hospitality industry has evolved in China. There used to be a small number of 5-star hotels in China. Between 1980 and 2000, China’s hospitality industry experienced significant growth, the rate of which exceeded 50% on a 5 year basis. The 1st decade of 21st century saw phenomenal growth of the industry with a large number of international hospitality groups expanding into China, which made a huge impact on China’s hospitality industry. Mr. Clement Chow, whose career in China coincided with these two important periods, became a witness to such dramatic changes.

Having worked in Bejing, Shenyang and Xi’an over the past 20 years, Mr. Clement Chow retains a personal preference for the ancient of Xi’an. His adoration for the city is revealed many times during our conversation.

The glorious history and splendid culture of Xi’an are a major attraction of his current appointment. Once the ancient capital of 13 dynasties with 3500 years of history, Xi’an has undergone speedy development and  transformation in recent years, with high-speed railway and metro projects completed successively. As an ancient city, Xi’an abounds in cultural heritage, with thematic cultural parks scattered across the city. In parellell, massive industrial or economic projects are either underway or receive additional investment, such as Xixian New Area, National Defense Industrial Zone, Chan-Ba Ecological District, New Starting Point of Silk Road Economic Belt, Restoration and Renovation of Rivers and Drainage Systems. Fortune 500 companies like Samsung keep pouring into some of these development zones.  National or world class, these development schemes or construction projects will significantly enhance Xi’an’s strategic role in China.

Tianyu Fields International Hotel is the 1st and the only 5-star hotel in the Shanxi National Aerospace Economic and Technological Development Zone. The newly completed hotel turns into a landmark of the zone with its unique architectural design blending elegant European decoration with occidental thematic elements of colorway, and introduces a lifestyle of light luxury into Xi’an. The hotel boasts 283 digitized deluxe rooms and suites of 11 types. Each guest room and suite is harnessed with state-of-the-art amenities, such as 24 hour room service, LCD TVs, satellite and cable TV channels, executive desks, ergonomic chairs, free broadband and wireless internet access, international direct dialing, voice mail, mini bars, electronic in-room safes, luxury bathroom equipment, hairdryers, electronic scales. Separate towers and tubs are available in all suites, of which 7 suites have separate kitchens. Guests of the executive floors will receive meticulous steward service. The Executive lounge is divided into upper and lower parts, with the former suited for small cocktail parties, casual talks and leisure activities, and the latter for dining.

In the meeting area, the 800 square meter Fields Grand Ballroom is equipped with some of the best meeting facilities found in Xi’an, for instance, 720p high definition LED Display, Martin Audio Systems, professional stage lighting, all of which contribute to the absolute advantage of the hotel’s hardware. Professional banquet services team offer customized solutions to each individual guest, as part of the 5 star considerate service integrating Chinese and western elements.

Situated in Xi’an, a city reputable for its delicacies, Tianyu Fields International Hotel has dedicated great effort to its dining services. It features 6 dining areas with different styles and offering various cuisines. A new episode of You Are The Chef will soon be filmed in the Paradise Pavilion, in which the allure of Fields’ delicacies will be televised to food lovers. The team of professional chefs here prepare classic dishes of Hunan cuisine, Sichuan cuisine, Cantonese cuisine and Shanxi cuisine. Garden Cafe is a stylish, modern western restaurant that serves Southeast Asian buffet and a la carte selections. The graceful, cozy lobby bar is divided into indoor and outdoor sections, where guests may either enjoy live performance by resident singers or find for themselves a leisure space in the open air. In Fields Bar & Steak on 25th Floor, guests can have a panoramic view of the city while helping themselves to delicacies. The Shangshan Hotpot accommodates up to 200 guest and has 10 spacious and well-lit private rooms. It incorporates the local culture of Xi’an, catering to the palate of the vast majority. Dessert lovers cannot miss the Fields Deli Shop. Be it buffet, a la carte, steak and wine, wholesome hotpot or dessert, the hotel creates unrivaled dining experience, for guests of various consumer groups and different age groups.    

In addition, Tianyu Fields International Hotel is dedicated to creating a Spa and Fitness center with a range of modern facilities, which has earns a place for the hotel in Xi’an. The Spa and Fitness Center is divided into 2 sections, Fields Fitness Center and Fields Spa of 6 spa rooms. Traditional aromatherapy dominates spa therapy here. As a perfect antidote to stress and resulting symptoms, these therapies refresh guests with experienced therapists applying German-made Biodroga organic essential oil tailored to various skin types and health conditions of individual guests. In the Fields Fitness Center, there is an array of body-building apparatus, aerobic classrooms and the largest, best-in-class indoor heated swimming pool in south Xi’an.

A former finance director, Mr. Clement Chow follows a judicious management style. Be it strategic planning or detail refinement, he is a rigorous planner and unhesitating implementer. And he has much to offer when it comes to human resource management. Sedate as he may seem, Mr. Clement Chow is a vibrant and energetic leader in the team. He set up a large team in a short period of time and immediately hit the ground running, by involving them in the preparation for the hotel launch and business development. Mr. Clement Chow shares with us his experience in talent management. In the start-up period, the hotel has a staff over 300. However, such a large hotel staff poses a big challenge when it comes to day-to-day management. After living in Xi’an for more than 10 years and working a hotel manager, Mr. Clement Chow boasts a wealth of management experience. What he considers most critical is how well plans are put into practice. He employs a professional management team from Hong Kong and devises a staff incentive mechanism and makes best possible hardware and software available to each individual employee so that they are motivated to serve guests proactively and wholeheartedly. FIELDS, an acronym for Fairness, Integrity, Efficiency, Liability, Diligence, Service, is the commitment to and the requirement of hotel employees. The hotel promises a work place of fairness and respect, and in return, expects efficiency, diligence, liability and professional service from its employees. It is our primary mission to meet the expectation of our guests, but we must meet the expectation of our employees first in order to achieve this mission.

Talking of the hotel’s prospect, Mr. Clement Chow expounds its current positioning and future plans. Tianyu Fields International Hotel focus at the moment on business and meeting services and will hopefully develop into a resort hotel in the following phase so that the Fields brand will easily penetrate into the domestic and international market.

As our interview winds up, Mr. Clement Chow expressed his expectations for the hotel in plain words. “We are committed and dedicated to providing best-in-class facilities and most valuable services in Xi’an. Tianyu Fields International Hotel will be a loyal companion to your wonderful journey in Xi’an where you explore the charisma of this ancient city. To this new hotel brand, we cherish heartfelt wishes that it may become the hotel of choice among a greater number of guests, and achieve new marvels in the hospitality industry.

香港菲尔德国际酒店管理公司的首家酒店即将于2015年新春在古城西安华丽开幕。眼下，天宇菲尔德国际大酒店正处于大幕拉开前最紧密的彩排阶段，我们十分有幸在这么有意义的时间采访到酒店的总经理Clement Chow先生，与他对谈天宇菲尔德的未来道路。

天宇菲尔德国际大酒店有着得天独厚的地理位置，它坐落于陕西航天经济技术开发区，是该区内首家也是唯一的一家五星级酒店。酒店毗邻西安曲江国际会展中心与曲江商业中心，紧邻西安地铁2号线与4号线，距国家5A级景区大雁塔仅15分钟车程，驱车20分钟可到达有六百多年历史的明代古城墙和西安地标性建筑钟楼，45分钟可到达西安咸阳国际机场。在天宇菲尔德的大管家Clement Chow先生看来，菲尔德将很快成为落脚西安的客人出发探索整座城市的绝佳起点。

我们眼前的Clement Chow先生是一位谦和沉稳，举重若轻的酒店人。在过去三十年酒店管理生涯中，他的职业轨迹跨越世界上不同的地域，使得他在严肃谨慎之外，平添了包容而开阔的谈吐魅力。尽管有着丰厚的职业经验，但是Clement Chow先生也坦诚道出了此次任命所具有的不同以往的巨大挑战。

首先，在西安的国家级航天经济技术开发区建五星级酒店，一是集团瞄准了航天基地迅猛的发展势头，二是得益于航天基地的交通区位优势，三是看中了西安的文化旅游潜力。在Clement Chow先生看来，航天经济技术开发区近年来显示出良好的发展势头，但区内还没有一家高标准的星级酒店，这一块是巨大的市场空白，天宇菲尔德国际大酒店入驻后，将是各大国际公司和当地商企的首选酒店，同时也意味着，客人对这家新酒店的期望值必然是极高的。

天宇菲尔德国际大酒店是一个香港新兴的酒店连锁品牌，在服务上，品牌欲为每位客人带来别具匠心的“紫荆花服务标准”，希望能快速树立品牌的优质形象。这一标准是菲尔德品牌的特色文化，品牌Logo的灵感取自于香港特别行政区区花紫荆花，由5个F（Fields Hotel/Five Star Standard Service/Functional/Friendly/Family）组成。意为用紫荆花服务标准，专业、亲切和友好的服务态度，以及亲如家人的待客服务之道为客人提供高品质的五星级酒店管理服务。

天宇菲尔德国际大酒店的首任总经理Clement Chow先生1993年便来到中国，谈起中国二十多年间的变化，颇有感慨。作为一个酒店人，他感触最深的地方就是酒店业的发展。早期5星级酒店数量为数不多，自20世纪80年代开始，中国酒店业的产业规模每五年的增长率在50%以上，相当可观。进入21世纪后，中国酒店业经历了一个高速发展的阶段，尤其是大量国际酒店集团的进入，在酒店业内产生的影响较为强烈，恰巧Clement Chow先生经历了这两段变更的时期，目睹了中国酒店业的巨大变化。

在中国的这二十几年时间里， Clement Chow先生的工作轨迹跨越北京、沈阳和西安，他个人非常喜欢西安这座城市。言谈中，他屡次表露出对西安这座城市的倾慕，历史文化的光芒魅力也是他接受这份新任命的一大原因。西安有着3500多年的建城史，13个朝代都在这里建都，近年来西安的变化也非常巨大，城市飞速发展，高铁、地铁纷纷落地西安。西安是古城，充满了文化气息，东西南北都有不同主题的文化工厂。与此同时，西咸新区、国防工业园区、浐灞生态区、丝绸之路经济带起点、八水润长安等大规模项目都纷纷投入建设以及扩大招商引资，三星电子等世界500强企业在不断入驻，这些开发计划和建设项目有些是国家级的，有些是世界级的，未来它们将大大地推升西安的战略地位。

天宇菲尔德国际大酒店是国家级陕西航天经济技术开发区内首家也是唯一的一家五星级酒店，它的落成弥补了这块空白。新建成不久的天宇菲尔德国际大酒店已经因为其独特的外型成为区域内的标志性建筑，酒店融合了欧洲典雅装饰风格与西方主题色彩设计元素，将欧式轻奢生活方式带入西安市场。它拥有283间数字化豪华客房以及配备了独立淋浴间和浴缸的套房，共有11种不同种类的房型，所有客房均配有24小时客房送餐服务、液晶电视、卫星/有线频道、行政办公桌、按人体工程学设计的座椅、免费宽带及无线上网、国际直拨电话及语音留言信箱、迷你酒吧、室内保险箱、豪华浴室用品、吹风机和电子称等配套设施，7间套房还配有厨房。入住酒店行政楼层的客人更将享受无微不至的管家式服务，行政酒廊分为上下两个区域，下半层可用餐，上半层可举办小型酒会或聊天休闲。

会议功能区中，800平方米的菲尔德大宴会厅里，更配备有全城数一数二的会议设施：720p高清LED大屏，英国玛田音响设备，专业舞台灯光等，无不让菲尔德酒店在硬件设施上占有绝对优势，专业的宴会团队可以根据客户需求进行个性化定制服务，为每位客人呈现中西结合、五星级标准的贴心服务。

地处西安这一美食名都，天宇菲尔德在餐饮上也是下了一番大功夫。酒店内有6间各具风情的格调餐饮区域也是亮点之一。花园餐厅是一个充满时尚与现代气息的西式餐厅，提供东南亚美食自助餐及零点服务；专业的厨师团队为悦膳中餐厅的客人烹饪湘、川、粤菜及陕西经典佳肴；优雅惬意的大堂吧划分为室内与户外两个不同风格的区域，不仅可以观赏驻唱歌手的现场演绎，喜爱户外区域的客人在这里也可找到一个属于自己的休闲空间；位于酒店25层的菲尔德扒房，在享受美味的同时，全城美景尽收眼底；与西安本土文化相结合、满足大众口味的尚膳火锅可容纳200余人同时就餐，还有10个宽敞明亮的独立包间；喜爱甜品的客人们一定不能错过与菲尔德甜品店的约会。从西式自助、中式零点到牛扒红酒、养生火锅以及西式美点，对于客人的视觉与味蕾来说，都会是一次无与伦比的美妙体验，不仅可以满足不同层次的消费者，同样满足不同年龄层人群的需求。

此外，天宇菲尔德国际大酒店还致力于打造一系列设施先进的康乐中心，目前已成为天宇菲尔德站稳西安的一大竞争力。康乐中心分为Spa与健身两个区域，菲尔德Spa拥有6个包间，在这里，所有疗程均以传统芳香疗法为主，专业资深的理疗师使用德国进口宝迪佳有机精油，针对客人不同肤质及身体状况量身定制护理疗程。这些疗程可以有效舒缓压力及因压力引起的各种症状，帮助客人焕然一新。健身中心的室内恒温泳池则是西安市城南规模最大、配置最先进的泳池，除此之外还配有专业的健身器材，以及操课教室。

财务总监出身的Clement Chow先生，有着非常理性的管理风格，无论是战略安排还是细节推敲，他都是一位严格规划并予以实施的行动派，而对酒店的人才管理，他也是极有心得。看似严肃的Clement Chow先生在带领团队的时候却有着不一般的活力。在这么快的时间里组建了一只庞大的服务团队，并迅速让员工进入新酒店不同一般的开拓状态，Clement Chow先生也向我们谈起了他的人才经验。正处于起飞阶段的天宇菲尔德国际大酒店，拥有300多名员工，但作为酒店行业，人员规模的庞大，也意味着日常管理将是一件极具挑战性的工作。Clement Chow先生在西安居住长达十几年，一直从事酒店管理工作，拥有非常丰富的管理经验，在他看来，管理最关键的地方在于执行力。他采用专业的香港管理团队，对内部员工实施激励机制，并在硬件及软件上为每位员工提供最大的支持，让他们发自内心主动地为客人服务。FIELDS（Fair/Integrity/Efficiency/Liability/Diligence/Service）即“公平、诚实、效率、责任、勤奋、服务”， 这五个词语是酒店对员工做出的承诺和要求，酒店为员工提供公平和尊重的工作环境，同时要求员工办事有效率，工作勤奋，具有责任心及专业的服务水平。Clement Chow先生认为，客人在菲尔德享受到最满意的服务才是我们最大的愿景，所以只有让员工满意，才能让客人满意。

谈及对酒店未来的期望， Clement Chow先生与我们分享了酒店目前的定位和将来的打算，天宇菲尔德国际大酒店是以商务及会议接待为主，下一阶段希望建成一家度假型酒店，将香港菲尔德品牌打入国内及国际市场。

Clement Chow先生在采访即将结束时，用十分朴素的话语表达了他对酒店未来的期望——我们承诺并致力于提供全城最有价值的设施和服务，天宇菲尔德会陪伴每一位客人探索古城西安的魅力，开启非凡的美妙之旅。我们也衷心祝福这个新品牌能在2015年成为更多客人乐意体验的心愿酒店，创造行业新奇迹！