Global Traveler: Tell us about your tenure in the hospitality industry. Any interesting anecdotes you’d like to share with our readers?
Hans Maissen: I was born in Switzerland and started in the industry working in my father’s restaurant in Basel at age 14. After graduating from the Zurich Hotel School, I joined the InterContinental Hotel chain, eventually working my way up to general manager. Before joining The Irvine Company, I was managing director of the Windsor Court Hotel in New Orleans for seven years. A few key people from the Windsor Court came with me to The Island Hotel, and we placed several more following Hurricane Katrina.

During my more than 30 years in the business, I have worked all over the world, including posts in Switzerland, England, Germany and Africa. Particularly memorable positions include seven years as managing director of the Hotel Bel-Air (Grand Hotel), Cap-Ferrat, France, and vice president of operations for the Bel-Air Hotel Company during the two years the hotel was under Bel-Air’s management. My international positions have also included working as regional director for Marriott Hotels-Saudi Arabia overseeing the opening of three Marriott Hotels, as well as the opening of the Athens Marriott in Greece. I also worked in London for Trust House Forte, and oversaw the food and beverage of their 280 hotels.

My overseas work has produced some intriguing tales. In particular, I remember opening a property for Marriott International in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia — a very interesting property and launch. Just two months prior to the opening, we still did not have water, electricity or telephone service. We brought in generators and were able get everything but the phones working for the opening. This was truly a challenge, as messengers had to run back and forth to the city and take guests for a seven-mile cab ride to the nearest telephone to make a phone call. Although it was a difficult situation, it made for an interesting launch and really tested our ability to keep guests happy.

GT: What developments do you have in store for The Island Hotel? What changes have you made?
HM: We don’t want to make changes for change’s sake. We plan to keep what works, and then gradually make upgrades building on existing strengths, in particular those that benefit our customers.

Since we took over the hotel’s management, The Irvine Company has made a number of refurbishments to the hotel — improving the landscaping, building a new fountain at the entrance, redoing the lobby and adding new foliage to lend a refined yet relaxed Southern California look. Our plan is to infuse that same ambience into the bar and restaurant areas. The Irvine Company has owned the property for 20 years, and has always maintained the very highest level of excellence, so the changes won’t be overly dramatic.

GT: Who is your typical client and what are they looking for in your property?
HM: Because of its ideal location in Newport Center, The Island Hotel is the premier business hotel in Orange County. Not surprisingly, our clientele consists largely of corporate travelers attending business meetings here. These individuals are seeking a hotel that offers superior accommodations and amenities in tandem with top-notch business-related services and conveniences. With this in mind, we will continue to upgrade and finesse our standards in this arena. As an example, we now have free wireless Internet access throughout the hotel.

GT: What about your spa and your golf courses?
HM: We have a beautifully appointed new spa — nine rooms and wonderful treatments and services — which was completed early last year. It is located on the hotel’s quiet lower level and offers a truly soothing escape. As far as the spa customer mix is concerned, it is still predominantly female, yet we are seeing an increase in male visitors.

For our golfing guests, we own a Tom Fazio-designed golf course, Oak Creek Golf Club, which is just 15 minutes away from the hotel. In addition, we own Pelican Hill Golf Club, with two acclaimed championship 18-hole courses. Both courses are currently closed for the construction of our new luxury resort, Pelican Hill at Newport Coast, which is slated to open in 2008. Our guests will eventually have access to both of these stellar courses. Under the supervision of Tom Fazio, improvements are being made to both, and they will reopen in late 2007.