Local culture, creature comforts
Print Edition
NAME/NATIONALITY: Maximilian Pleyer/ Austrian
Profession/Title: Hotelier/General Manager of Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel Shanghai
Travel frequency: Three to four times a year
Objective of travel: To relax, experience something new, visit family and friends
Favorite traveling style: Casual smart
When I finish a journey, I always reflect on the experience and apply some ideas to my business.
How many destinations have you already been?
I have traveled all over
Europe, Middle East, Asia and Australia.
What does traveling mean to you?
It’s a very important way to refresh myself and learn, try and see something new.
Do you prefer to travel alone or with family/friends?
Wife, family and/or friends.
Q: What kind of hotel do you usually choose?
A: Everything from luxury to trendy to family style. We like to explore and experience something different. Most important is that it’s comfortable and clean with a good bed and great service.
Q: What factors do you value most when choosing a hotel?
A: Quality, location and comfort.
Q: What do you expect most of a hotel for an enjoyable stay?
A: The quality of the bed is key, along with a good standard of service and peaceful surroundings.
Q: What do you usually do at a hotel during your stay?
A: Mostly we are out and about exploring the place we are visiting. The most important thing for a hotel is getting a good night’s sleep and having the option of dining in a really nice restaurant there if you want.
Q: How do you book a hotel to get a reasonable room rate?
A: I either stay at one of our sister hotels, which is part of the benefits for all our employees. We can enjoy a very attractive rate plus 50 percent of our restaurant bill which is a great benefit to have. Otherwise, I recommend planning and booking early to be able to get the best price and selection — and avoid peak periods if you can.
Q: Share with us an unforgettable stay in a hotel.
A: My wife and I stayed at the Jumeirah Hotel in Rome and were treated to a great suite room all including Champagne, strawberries and many other personal treats prepared from the service team there. The Jumeirah Hotel in Rome practiced “Stay Different” which is a hallmark of Jumeirah to perfection.
Q: What hotels are you looking forward to staying at in the future?
A: Burj Al Arab — this is our flagship hotel which is simply the best in the world. I’ve had the pleasure of visiting that hotel several times already — I’ve done inspections and had great meals there. But so far, I have not yet managed to stay in one of their duplex suites which are their entry-level room.
Q: What’s your favorite destination and why?
A: Taipei. It’s not only my wife’s hometown but it is indeed one of the great cities in Asia. You can really experience the richness of the Chinese tradition and culture, combined with excellent facilities, delicious food and great service. Going there is always a treat for us.
Q: What do you do upon arriving?
A: The good thing is that when visiting Taipei we always stay home — which is better than staying in a hotel, no matter how good the hotel. I love to sample the great food available there and do some cycling along the riverside area which is well-built and specially planned for these kinds of activities.
Q: What places to visit and things to do in Taipei would you recommend?
A: You definitely have to go and visit Yangming Mountain, Shilin night market and the hot springs in Beitou — which are all located right in the city. This is what makes Taipei to be such an amazing and versatile city to visit.
Q: What local specialties do you recommend a visitor try?
A: The original Ding Tai Fung is certainly a must, plus Taiwan beef noodles, great Japanese cuisine in the many small and family run restaurants. We also really enjoy indulging in having a delicious Chinese breakfast, as well as fermented tofu.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
