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Beat Wiesmann, a hotel management veteran

(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-08-12 17:36

Lexington Shenyang Rich Gate Hotel, the Lexington Collection's first in China, opened recently in Shenyang, capital of Northeast China's Liaoning province. The Vantage Hospitality Group (VHG), founded in 1996 in the United States, is the 12th largest hotel company worldwide. The group is the parent company of The Lexington Collection and America's Best Value Inn. In 2006, VHG operated Vantage Lexington Hotel Co Ltd in Shanghai, providing for all the businesses in the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.

As a newcomer in China, Lexington appears rather bold and confident about the market. Lexington Shenyang has 622 rooms, which is the biggest in the city. It is also equipped with the tallest self-aid restaurant.

Beat Wiesmann, general manager of the Lexington Shenyang Rich Gate Hotel is a veteran who has worked in hotel management for more than 25 years. Since 1989 (including a six-year break), he has worked in four different cities in China for a total of 13 years. Recently, he spoke with China Daily reporter Wu Yong about the origin, development strategy and prospects of Lexington.

Q: Compared to other luxury hotels in China, Lexington is a new brand. Would you please briefly introduce Lexington?

A: The Lexington Collection Brand belongs to the Vantage Hospitality Group, which was founded in 1996 and also comprises the America's Best Value Inn & Suites brand. The America's Best Value Inn's first hotel opened in 1998 and within 10 years has grown to 800 hotels and is currently the 12th largest hotel group in the world.

The Lexington Brand was founded in 2006 and has established about 23 hotels in the United States in the past two years. In April of last year, we opened a regional office in Shanghai and The Lexington Shenyang Rich Gate Hotel became the first hotel under its wings and by the end of 2009, the Group expects to have about 50 properties in China, including its China Best Value Inns & Suites Brand.

Q: What's the difference between Lexington and other hotels?

A: The Lexington is a new unique and upscale brand that addresses consumers' various lifestyles and travel trends and provides personalized and unparalleled service at the best value. We have various styles including Plazas, Hotels, Suites and Resort & Villas. As Shenyang is mainly a business city, our target is mainly businessmen, both local and from abroad.

Also, we have the largest hotel rooms in town, which have been very well-received by our first guests. Our other attraction is the restaurant on our top floor, the Skydeck Café, which is the highest restaurant in town. Furthermore, our location is very unique and central, being part of a whole complex — including the largest shopping mall in north China, which is now being managed by the MTR Property Co from Hong Kong. With their cooperation, the Complex will quickly become one of the most talked about venues for business, shopping and pleasure activities in town. By 2010, The Shenyang Metro will open a station right on the premises, which will give us a greater advantage as it will be directly accessible from the Taoxian International Airport.

Q: You come from Switzerland and we all know that the Swiss are the best in hotel management. Do you think the fact that you're Swiss will help market the hotel?

A: I believe so, but it's up to every general manager to guide and give proper directions to where the hotel has to go. But my vast experience working with many different people and cultures, gives me an advantage of anticipating various guests' needs. With the combination of working as a team and offering unparalleled service, we are able to cater to all and give special services to different clientele.

Q: What do you think about the high-level market in Shenyang? What kind of role will Lexington play in this market?

A: The Shenyang market is, at present, well saturated with various four- and five-star hotels, which are preferred by all businessmen. Therefore, there is a little oversupply at present and consequently the market is highly competitive. We must be different from others to be able to be more attractive. Once the word goes around and people start to know the brand, I'm sure we can become the new place to come to in Shenyang.

Q: Did you know much about Shenyang before you came?

A: Very little. I heard only that Shenyang is a polluted city. But now it's completely changed. It's much better. So I'm very happy, and with more and more international companies like BMW, Michelin, Neusoft, etc. establishing a presence in the city, including the largest aircraft maintenance center in China and the Shenyang Metro, Shenyang is becoming more and more international.

Profile:

Beat Wiesmann is general manager of the new Lexington Shenyang Rich Gate Hotel. He began his career in hotel management in 1982 and has worked in many countries, including Thailand and Egypt. He first came to China in 1982 to work at a Hong Kong Hotel. After taking a break for several years, he worked for Shanghai JC Mandarin Hotel from 1989 to 1997. Wiesmann has also worked in Hefei and Wuhan for several years as the general manager of hotels run by Swiss-Belhotel International. In September 2007, he came to Shenyang as the general manager of Lexington, managed by Vantage Hospitality Group.

Wiesmann graduated from Hotel School Lausanne in Switzerland.