Martin Schnider is the person behind one of the vital luxurious lodging in Kuala Lumpur. Set amidst the expansive flowering gardens of the KLCC Park and the dramatic heights of the Petronas Twin Towers, Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur provides spectacular views from its elegantly designed rooms and beautiful suites.

Beginning out as a meals and beverage trainee at Mandarin Oriental, Singapore in 1994, Martin Schnider would finally work his approach up the company ladder to turn out to be assistant meals and beverage supervisor at Mandarin Oriental, Manila earlier than becoming a member of Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur in 2000. Schnider moved from his position as meals and beverage supervisor to resident supervisor 5 years later. Right this moment, Schnider holds greater than 20 years of expertise at Mandarin Oriental resorts within the Asia-Pacific area. Overlooking elegant rooms and suites set in a tranquil ambiance alongside gorgeous views on the coronary heart of Kuala Lumpur’s metropolis Centre, Schnider ensures that every visitor on the Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur experiences a personalised keep steeped in luxurious and hospitality. Famend for specializing in excellence in all elements, Schnider has a report for sustaining very good lodge service and product high quality.

LUXUO sits down with the seasoned hotelier to debate the evolution of Kuala Lumpur in recent times and the way the Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur differentiates itself from its rivals.

You left Doha to return again to Malaysia in 2023. Clue us in to your expertise in hospitality.

Hospitality stays a really aggressive trade and our friends proceed to evolve on the identical time when it comes to their wants and desires.

How does it really feel being again on the Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur after your first job 20 years in the past?

It feels nice to be again in Malaysia after a very long time and I’ll at all times mirror fondly on my expertise in Kuala Lumpur from March 1999 to October 2005. This lodge holds a really particular place in my coronary heart.

How have you ever seen Kuala Lumpur evolve through the years?

It’s nearly a totally completely different metropolis from once I was working right here again within the early 2000s. From my perspective, it has modified and matured within the sense that there are plenty of new buildings, resorts, individuals, and naturally, free-standing eating places.

What’s the DNA of the Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur lodge and the way does it differentiate itself from different high-end resorts within the capital metropolis?

The DNA of Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur will at all times be steeped in school and high-quality service. With the growing normal of service throughout the trade, it is necessary that we keep the best way we do issues within the lodge.

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What do friends love most on the Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur?

Our friends at all times respect the status and recognition that staying right here brings. We reciprocate this by making certain that each one their wants are met and that they’re saved completely happy no matter if they’re staying for one evening or extra. Subsequently, all the things we do should revolve round an expertise that can not be matched. If we’re capable of give friends this expertise, they’ll proceed to understand what we do for them.

On the positive eating facet and as a meals lover your self, inform us extra about what the Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur presently has on supply.

Our lodge has many issues to supply from a enterprise perspective to a leisure perspective. For enterprise wants, we’re strategically positioned within the coronary heart of Kuala Lumpur the place a number of key companies are. It’s also conveniently positioned subsequent to venues like KLCC Conference Centre, the PETRONAS Twin Towers, and lots of luxurious branded retailers. We even have the biggest Membership Lounge in Kuala Lumpur. Our MO Membership Lounge is a perfect place for friends who need a stress-free and quiet house to work. It additionally provides one assembly room in addition to a boardroom for greater teams. These areas can be utilized for personal discussions, displays and extra. On the identical time, the 270-degree view of the Kuala Lumpur skyline additionally offers a shocking backdrop for work or informal discussions. Our devoted colleagues are at all times on standby to cater to visitor wants whether or not it’s a easy cup of espresso or a meal.

For leisure, we’ve got many choices equivalent to an award-winning spa at Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur, Peter Burwash Worldwide licensed tennis courts, an infinity pool overlooking KLCC Park, a well-equipped health centre and lots of prime eating retailers.

All these make Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur extra of an city resort versus the extra conventional enterprise lodge.

Your lodge’s durian pancake on the Lai Po Heen Chinese language restaurant has turn out to be one thing of a culinarily icon. Are these amongst your private favourites?

To be sincere, I’m not a fan of durian, however the pancakes are decadent. Nonetheless, I do take pleasure in sweets from time to time.

As normal supervisor, what are your plans for the lodge from 2024 to 2025?

My focus is at all times on delivering legendary service and distinctive experiences. I consider that relating to the lodge trade, particularly for Mandarin Oriental, what really units us aside is our ardour for high quality service. These are the issues that friends keep in mind together with wonderful amenities, facilities and eating choices.

To cap off this interview, indulge us in a single secret that you’ve got by no means shared concerning the Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur? Maybe a hidden location or a secret expertise?

Whenever you e-book an MO Membership Room or Suite, you should have one of the vital unique MO Membership experiences within the metropolis. Advantages embrace versatile check-in and check-out occasions, an airport fast-track service, precedence bookings and naturally entry to the MO Membership Lounge, the largest Membership Lounge within the metropolis.

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