PHOTO: © THE PIERRE NY
THE BASICS
Name: Francois Olivier-Luiggi
Title: General manager
Company, city: The Pierre New York, a Taj Hotel; New York City
First job: Assistant manager, Room Service, The ESSEX House, a Nikko Hotel (1994)
Where to next: No plans … happy to be in New York and with my friends and colleagues at The Pierre.
A LITTLE BIT MORE
What actor or actress would play you in a movie of your life?
Any actor who is at least 6 feet, 4 inches tall: Tim Robbins, Donald Sutherland, John Lithgow, Jason Mamoa or even Brad Garrett (who is 6 feet, 8 inches)
What would you be doing professionally if you weren’t in your current industry?
Gardener or landscape design
What is your favorite book, movie or television show?
Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris and the TV show 30 Rock, created by Tina Fey
What historical figure, dead or alive, would you love to have dinner with?
Auguste Escoffier, the French chef, restaurateur and culinary writer
THE BUSINESS
What is your most recent project, and what was the inspiration behind it?
Renovation of the Pierre Ballroom. We knew it would be a technological challenge since the current ballroom was the result of a crazy extension of the original Pierre into the next-door building — the grand vision of none other than Jean Paul Getty. Separating the two buildings back to their original footprint, along with all the utilities, then going back to the original plans of 1930s architect Schultz and Weaver … all while keeping the hotel open for business. It was the perfect blend of historical research, technological know-how and operational savvy.
What is your favorite aspect of the job?
Managing a team and winning!
What’s the biggest business risk you’ve ever taken?
In our business, selling the presidential suite at any top hotel is really difficult. The biggest risk was turning down a piece of business at $50,000 a night for two weeks because I had verbally promised it to another client (who hadn’t returned any phone calls in five days). These big bookings are always last-minute; you cannot upset any guests, especially when they all want to come at the same time. Eventually the original guest came and it all worked out.
Who is someone you admire professionally in the travel industry?
Charles Pierre Casalasco. Born in Corsica (as I was), he arrived in New York in 1900 to start his illustrious career that led him to build and open The Pierre hotel.
AS A TRAVELER
Tell us about a travel nightmare: On a trip to a conference in South Africa, every leg of the flight had a plane breakdown or weather delay, eventually landing too late, missing connecting flights, spending additional nights in hotels. It took three days to get there, and on the way back, same thing, connecting flight cancelled. The happy ending is the airline upgraded me to (real) first class on my next trip, a real treat.
Share a comical travel experience: Being confused for Bill Gates at Chicago O’Hare; the more I told them it was not me, the more they refused to believe me. Then the gate agent saw my boarding pass and passport, to the great disappointment of the other waiting passengers!
What is your preferred method of travel — planes, trains, automobiles, cruise ships — and why? High- speed trains, especially in Europe and Asia. From the TGV in France to the magLev in Shanghai, not forgetting the Swiss funiculars … [a] fast, efficient way to travel in style and with views!
What has been the best example of customer service you’ve experienced during your travels? I love going to a small hotel in Austria, the Alpenresort Walsertal in Faschina. It is family-owned: The son is the chef, the parents run the hotel, and it has the friendliest team. The passion for service from everyone there, the friendliness and attention to detail from the team makes it my favorite place to visit. So the best example of customer service: being recognized and made to feel special!
Read This Next
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Jul 26, 2024Accor Unveils Its First Handwritten Collection Brand in the United States
San Francisco, a city renowned for its commercial hubs and cultural sites, will become the first destination in the United States for one of Accor's newest brands, Handwritten Collection. The city’s Hotel Stratford San Francisco, Handwritten Collection is a European-style boutique property located near Union Square on the famous Powell Street cable car line. The area will now have the Handwritten Collection name behind it. The property becomes Accor's third hotel in San Francisco, joining the Fairmont properties atop Nob Hill and at Ghirardelli Square.
Sponsored Content
Why Buy Trip Cancellation Insurance?
Don’t risk losing all the money you’ve spent if you must cancel your trip at the last minute. Allianz Travel Insurance can give you:
Global City Guidebook 2024
Jul 26, 2024Bask in Nature’s Tranquility at The Spa at Four Seasons Tamarindo
When the two of us entered The Spa at Four Seasons Tamarindo, past the backlit boutique items and local artisan-painted wood carvings, the place wrapped us in a feeling of tranquility. Its stone walls, earth tones, woven wall hangings and furniture made of natural materials reminded us we are part of nature’s spectrum, the abundant windows showing native plants and trees outside.
Daily
Jul 26, 20244 Boutique Hotels with Exclusive Wedding Buyout Offerings
Couples looking for an over-the-top wedding, consider one of these properties around the world, offering total property buyouts to say your “I do’s.”
Sponsored Content
Share Miles with Family and Friends with United Airlines
As you look ahead to winter travel, United Airlines and its MileagePlus loyalty program introduced MileagePlus miles pooling, which allows members to contribute and combine miles into a joint account. Groups of up to five members can now share and redeem miles in one linked account. As the first and only major U.S. airline to offer this feature, United also allows any MileagePlus member, whether relatives or close friends, to be in a pool with other members.
Airlines
Jul 26, 2024BermudAir Maximizes Choices for Travelers with New Options
BermudAir announced an expanded fare structure, allowing customers to choose from five fare types across economy and business class, up from the previous three options. Travelers can now select fares based on their preferences for lounge access, checked baggage, change fees, refunds and priority boarding.
Share Miles with Family and Friends with United Airlines
Sponsored Content
Discover Hvar, Croatia’s, Best-Kept Secrets
Daily
Jul 25, 2024Global City Guidebook 2024
Jul 24, 2024Global City Guidebook: Shanghai
The third-largest city in the world, Shanghai has transformed into one of the world’s most important centers for business, finance, science, culture and transportation. In fact, Shanghai is home to the first free trade zone in Mainland China. The city sits on the southern estuary of the Yangtze River, and the Huangpu River flows right through the 26-million-strong city. Art Deco- and Shikumen-style buildings, museums, skyscrapers, gardens, temples and food markets fill the lively, Eastern Chinese city.
Sponsored Content
Hit the High Notes in Nashville
Nashville’s once-modest skyline continues to evolve as its luxury market grows. Lavish hotel properties are added to the landscape while acclaimed chefs stake claim in the robust culinary scene and premier cultural offerings round out the city’s repertoire.
Daily
Jul 24, 2024SB Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites Introduces Custom Wine Itineraries
SB Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites offers guests personalized journeys to Mendoza’s finest wineries from Susana Balbo’s family. Immerse yourself in bespoke wine itineraries recommended by Balbo, Argentina’s first female winemaker; her son and third-generation winemaker, José Lovaglio Balbo; and her daughter, hotelier and wine tourism marketer, Ana Lovaglio Balbo.
ShareThis