World-class service is big key at Hyatt in scenic, alluring Qingdao
Print Edition
BEFORE enrolling as a hotel and restaurant major at Washington State University, Anthony Ha, who immigrated to the US from Vietnam at the age of 14 with his parents, once thought it might be good to be a lawyer or even join the military. But it was his wish to meet people from different walks of life that eventually gripped his heart and got him to embark on a hospitality career that he has never regretted.
Starting as a management trainee in 1985 at Hyatt Regency San Francisco in the front office division before graduating from university, Ha, now the general manager of Hyatt Regency Qingdao, a 439-room property which opened last year, has spent the past 28 years across different parts of China. He has worked for international hotel chains such as Hyatt and other hotel groups as well as running his own hospitality business with his friends.
“In the hotel business I would be able to meet different people from different cultures, with different backgrounds and doing different jobs that I could learn from them,” the general manager said.
One third of his career has been spent with Hyatt and Ha knows that service sets a luxury hotel apart from its counterparts.
“The most important criteria for a true luxury hotel is its service, which should be of high-quality and also impacts on the revenue and image of the brand,” he said. “Hyatt does not aim to be the largest hotel management group in the world. It wants to be the group that has the highest quality of service.”
To become a high-quality service hotel, great attention has been paid to all details from reservation to check in, from dining to MICE events. At Hyatt, that means modern facilities, delicious food, a beautiful environment, as well as a personalized type of service. For example, meeting planners can meet Hyatt’s professional team to meticulously plan and customize every aspect of the day, Ha said.
An energizing hotel brand that connects travelers to the people who matter most to them, Hyatt Group, now present in more than 563 properties in 48 countries, is committed to being the go-to-gathering space for every occasion — from efficient business meetings to memorable family holidays. Boasting a full range of services and amenities which include notable culinary experiences, technology-enabled ways to collaborate, the space in which to work, engage or relax, and expert planners who take care of every detail, the brand offers a one-stop experience that puts everything guests need right at their fingertips.
And Ha did consider himself lucky for getting the opportunity to take the helm of Hyatt’s first property in Qingdao, some 20 years after he left the company.
“Qingdao, known as the ‘Pearl on the Yellow Sea,’ is renowned for its rich historical background and natural beauty, beautiful coastline and pleasant climate, making it a major tourism destination that appeals to both domestic and international travelers,” the general manager said. “Meanwhile, the city is also an international trade and economic center and an important port on the east coast of China.”
Positioned as a half-business, half-leisure hotel that provides an extraordinary combination of city convenience plus the enjoyment and relaxation of a resort, Hyatt Regency Qingdao is aggressively going after the MICE market — particularly during the off-peak season when the number of travelers to Qingdao, a very seasonal destination, drops.
“We will have a lot of new promotions coming out in the next several months as we work with many event companies and do a lot of work with PR firms from Shanghai and Beijing to attract more MICE business to our hotel,” he said. “I’m very confident that when more businesses get a look at our meeting and conference space, they will be impressed by its functionality, high-tech equipment and sheer beauty.”
Hyatt Regency Qingdao possesses more than 1,800 square meters of function space that can be customized to different themes for events. Having a serene beach or ocean backdrop to an event, meanwhile, further heightens its allure and helps create memories that will last a lifetime.
A seasoned hotelier, Ha is also a firm believer that “people” are the key asset and most important part of the business.
“At Hyatt, we have three participating customers: our employees, our guests and our owners, and the employees are essential for us,” he said. “We offer a thorough training system and personal training plan for each employee and are also keen to create a sense of belonging among our staff.”
Address: 88 Donghai Rd E., Qingdao, Shandong Province
Tel: (0532) 8612-1234
Best Deals
Enjoy colorful and interesting Qingdao with the Polar Ocean World Room Package for two nights. Pay the rack rate and 200 yuan plus 15 percent service charge.
Package includes:
• Two tickets to Polar Ocean World
• Daily buffet breakfast for two
• 15 percent off on laundry and limousine service
• Welcome amenities
GM’s Favorite
Anthony Ha’s favorite restaurant is Dong Hai 88, which serves authentic northern Chinese cuisine. Specialties include Peking duck and Qingdao seafood. The dining room references Qingdao’s fishing heritage, completed with wave-like wood ceilings and fishtail lanterns. Two semi-private dining rooms offer views of the open kitchens, and one features glass panels that peer directly into live fish tanks. An expansive terrace offers alfresco dining overlooking the beach.
Complementing the authentic cuisine, Dong Hai 88 offers an extensive menu of wines, plus the largest beer selection in Shandong Province, comprising 35 craft beers from around the world along with Qingdao’s own famous brew, Tsingtao. An open dessert kitchen serves a selection of sinfully delicious sweets.
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