Richard Greaves - General Manager Grand Hyatt Shanghai
We interviewed Richard when he was GM of the Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok, Thailand and have stayed at Grand Hyatt Erawan six times in the past three years. Each time we have been struck by how well run the hotel is. There is a calm atmosphere which envelops you as soon as you alight from your transfer at the front steps. This seems to reflect the character of Richard Greaves, GM at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok for the past 10 years. It was a little unusual to find a GM who has been in one post for this long. The advantage was clearly there for all to see. Richard impresses with calm authority, warmth and unassuming charm. These qualities are reflected in spades by the whole staff team. We are sure that Grand Hyatt Shanghai will soon be showing the benefits of Richard's excellent management.
We had asked to meet Richard to express our gratitude for his support for the Flyertalk London 2012 do and also to find out more about developments at one of our favourite retreats. Being delayed by a meeting with the owners, he dispatched Patty Lerdwittayaskul, Director of Marketing Communications, so that we were not left waiting. He joined us as soon as he was free and stayed into the evening to share his philosophy and enthusiasm for the remodelling that had just begun at Erawan (about which, more in a moment).
Richard entered the hospitality trade via food and beverage, beginning his career working as a waiter in the Mayfair hotel in London. After university, he started working for the Hyatt in London. His passion for quality food and beverage led him to choose Hyatt due to the company’s reputation in this area. The fact he has retained this passion is evident in the excellent range of dining options at Grand Hyatt Erawan. Richard's experience with Hyatt in the Far East includes Macau, Hong Kong and Taipei (his favourite hotel to work in, after Bangkok).
One thing that has always struck us about Hyatt hotels is that staff seem happy to work for the company. This is highlighted in Bangkok, where they have a ten-year staff retention rate of over 50%. This is great for the customer, as it means that the team are more cohesive and experienced, resulting in a smoother experience as a guest.
We have noticed that the hotel is always referred to as Grand Hyatt Erawan rather than Grand Hyatt Bangkok. This reflects the long history of the hotel pre dating its association with the Hyatt brand. It also indicates a strong sense of respect for local culture and tradition. The Erawan shrine adjacent to the hotel was erected in 1956 following a series of mishaps during the building of the original Erawan hotel, thought to be caused by commencing the building work on an inauspicious date. The shrine was built to counter the bad karma caused by building on the wrong date, by appeasing Brahma, a Thai deity. The shrine is one of the holiest in central Bangkok and is venerated by local people. The hotel management take their responsibility for the shrine very seriously and it is very well maintained. All the management attend the annual anniversary ceremony.
The Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok is a great business hotel, and a resort-style hotel for leisure guests with multiple dining options and a spa. We like the newly renovated rooms, though we have yet to experience a renovated suite. Our pictures have already been added to our review.
We had asked to meet Richard to express our gratitude for his support for the Flyertalk London 2012 do and also to find out more about developments at one of our favourite retreats. Being delayed by a meeting with the owners, he dispatched Patty Lerdwittayaskul, Director of Marketing Communications, so that we were not left waiting. He joined us as soon as he was free and stayed into the evening to share his philosophy and enthusiasm for the remodelling that had just begun at Erawan (about which, more in a moment).
Richard entered the hospitality trade via food and beverage, beginning his career working as a waiter in the Mayfair hotel in London. After university, he started working for the Hyatt in London. His passion for quality food and beverage led him to choose Hyatt due to the company’s reputation in this area. The fact he has retained this passion is evident in the excellent range of dining options at Grand Hyatt Erawan. Richard's experience with Hyatt in the Far East includes Macau, Hong Kong and Taipei (his favourite hotel to work in, after Bangkok).
One thing that has always struck us about Hyatt hotels is that staff seem happy to work for the company. This is highlighted in Bangkok, where they have a ten-year staff retention rate of over 50%. This is great for the customer, as it means that the team are more cohesive and experienced, resulting in a smoother experience as a guest.
We have noticed that the hotel is always referred to as Grand Hyatt Erawan rather than Grand Hyatt Bangkok. This reflects the long history of the hotel pre dating its association with the Hyatt brand. It also indicates a strong sense of respect for local culture and tradition. The Erawan shrine adjacent to the hotel was erected in 1956 following a series of mishaps during the building of the original Erawan hotel, thought to be caused by commencing the building work on an inauspicious date. The shrine was built to counter the bad karma caused by building on the wrong date, by appeasing Brahma, a Thai deity. The shrine is one of the holiest in central Bangkok and is venerated by local people. The hotel management take their responsibility for the shrine very seriously and it is very well maintained. All the management attend the annual anniversary ceremony.
The Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok is a great business hotel, and a resort-style hotel for leisure guests with multiple dining options and a spa. We like the newly renovated rooms, though we have yet to experience a renovated suite. Our pictures have already been added to our review.
