Grand Hyatt Seoul hotel has announced the appointment of new General Manager Peter Hildebrand as of August.
Born in Australia, majoring in Economics at the University of Queensland, and later earning an EMBA from Rutgers University, Peter shared his first experience of the hotel industry "I first entered the hotel industry because I was attracted to the glitz and glamour of hotels, but I have since obstinately stayed in the field because of the many people I have met" says Peter showing his affection for the many hotel guests, colleagues, hotel owners and the members of the communities in which he has lived.
Peter joined the Hyatt family in 1988 as a Bell Attendant at Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove, Australia, and after a year was appointed onto the Hyatt Corporate Training Program at Hyatt Regency and Grand Hyatt Hong Kong. He has since built a career in marketing, sales, business development and management roles in international hotel brands in Australia, Singapore, and China. He moved from Marketing to hotel operations in 2006 with the opening of Hyatt on the Bund in Shanghai.
Developing a wealth of experience and leadership throughout the years, Peter served as the General Manager at Westin Fuzhou and then for seven years at W Hong Kong before rejoining Hyatt in 2018 to prepare the opening of Park Hyatt Shenzhen as a General Manager. He was recognized for his ability by successfully opening the hotel in mid-2019 and quickly positioning it as a market leader in south China, winning 15 hotel awards in 2021 in only the second year of operation.
Peter shared "The hotel industry is a people oriented one", adding "As a hotelier and a leader, I am inspired by the people I work with and I feel the greatest pride in what I do when I see them grow. As General Manager, my goal is to create an environment where my colleagues can be considerate of each other, and grow together" Peter spoke expressing affection for the hotel and the employees. Peter said "my team and I will strive to continue the great legacy and recent upward trajectory of Grand Hyatt Seoul which retains a precious place in the hearts of many locals and also of those in the community of international travelers. I will do all possible, with my talented and hardworking team, to ensure Grand Hyatt Seoul continues to lead the industry by tapping the utmost potential of this hotel".
To get a deeper look into the operational strategy and vision of the new general manager, Peter Hildebrand, the Seoul City magaznie conducted an interview with him as follows.

Please introduce brief history of Grand Hyatt Seoul.

Opened in 1978 on the Namsan Mountain, Grand Hyatt Seoul provides the ultimate in service, luxury and convenience for an unrivaled guest experience. Grand Hyatt Seoul situated on the heart of Seoul, is surrounded by the lush greenery of Namsan Park and was built to strictly align with positive feng shui principles, situated on a hillside facing south and overlooking the Han River, so that all good fortune can flow directly into the property. With walking distance, only minutes from downtown commercial district as well as international embassies and upscale residential areas, the hotel is one of the representative Hyatt properties in Asia, and one of the most distinguished and well-regarded, having accommodated visiting royalty, heads of state and leading luminaries over the decades.
In 1978, hotel first opened as Hyatt Regency Seoul, which was the first Hyatt property in Korea. In its ongoing commitment to providing better service and more innovative products, while aiming to still convey the dramatic sense of grandeur and splendor inextricably associated of the hotel, its name has officially changed to Grand Hyatt Seoul in 1993.
The most recent change to the hotel has taken place during 2016 to 2019. Number of venues, restaurants, lobby and guestrooms have been refreshed and reenergized to appeal to a new generation of clientele. Today, Grand Hyatt Seoul offers 615 rooms includes 53 suites, 11 restaurants and bars, a spa, and a wide selection of indoor and outdoor recreational facilities, accommodating both the business and leisure travelers.
Grand Hyatt Seoul, a gourmet's garden oasis with awe-inspiring vistas remains timelessly elegant with unforgettable memories for so many while also looking to the future by setting new trends in the hospitality industry.

Please let us know your marketing objectives and strategies.

Experiencing the pandemic was a great opportunity for us to look back and attempt new concepts and actions we have not done in the past. Before, consumers looked for a safe, fancy and comfortable stay at luxury hotels. Now exclusive experience and value matters more.
Escaping from original dark, dense luxury designs, packages and images we have put effort to lowering the entry barrier with lighter and trendy mood, we focus on attracting the young generation who respect to invest on quality experience and esteem valued moments. Furthermore as engagement matters more, not only focused during stay but pre, post and routine communication that involves engaging touches to our loyal guests and potential ones are a great attention we take in mind.
Whilst maintaining the hotel's long history and its legacy, exploring the new styles of selling and branding was one of the key focus of 2022 in which we executed numerous collaboration with the brands and invested on visual content enhancement.

Please introduce your major F&Bs and their unique differentiation service strategies.

Departing from the paradigms of defined cuisine, Grand Hyatt Seoul presents a diversity of culinary experiences, offering magnificent gourmet experiences to please the most discerning palates which makes you feel like you are travelling beyond Namsan, Seoul, South Korea to somewhere exotic. Each of the hotel's restaurants and bars showcase their own intrinsic style of cuisine through their chefs' special touch.
Among multiple dining options in the property, Grand Hyatt Seoul has a small alley of restaurants in 322 Sowol-ro which is named after hotel's address. The name conjures up an image of a Street of Gourmet Discovery, a pedestrianized area reserved for a cozy collection of specialty restaurants and cafes. A team of professional chef-architects was assembled to design a dining destination, creating a unique street style ambience for guests to experience some of the hotel's finest fare. The array of restaurants and bars of 322 Sowol-ro cater to a diversity of unique cultural tastes. Strolling down this quaint alley, guests can discover "Kauri', a contemporary sushi bar where chef engage personally with the guests to provide the finest Japanese Omakase offerings at the sushi counter. 'Steak House' offering premium meats grilled to perfection in a Pira charcoal oven offers a epicurean experience, Teppan' a live dining adventure showcasing an array of market-fresh local ingredients and international flavors prepared in front of the guests on a hot steel griddle provides a live fire performance which guests are inspired by not only with its fine taste but with the enactment. Also a casual and cozy Japanese izakaya style gastropub Tenkai' brings you to the small alleys behind the train stations of Tokyo.
Another highlight is the hidden classic bar 'Paris Bar. We are planning to reopen this classic destination after COVID-19 in late September where memories are left from our loyal guests who long loved the Paris Grill and Paris Bar before renovation but also to introducing classic luxury bar which makes you imagine yourself in Paris, deep-rooted but authentic atmosphere with French infused elements. With customized service from classy bartenders, it is a getaway place for you to enjoy and relax after a tough day at work with a stunning view of Seoul city.

Please tell us of your vision for the future.

Knowing the great legacy of this hotel and understanding the various unique experiential elements of a guests stay here, such as the incredible sense of grandeur upon arriving, and driving through the gardens to be greeted at the entrance of the grand lobby, I am inspired to build upon this great legacy. It's important to maintain the features which retain a precious place in the hearts of many locals and international travelers, while building and enhancing the features and facilities of the hotel which need to evolve with the times. With the classical design, the peaceful, natural environment and unique position on the foothills of NamSan mountain, our hotels central but unique location presents boundless opportunities. With a professional team, I wish to add a modern edge to the experience and some fresh new ideas. I'll do all possible, with my talented and hardworking team, to ensure Grand Hyatt Seoul continues to lead the industry by tapping the utmost potential of this hotel.