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Reshaping an Icon An Interview with Ronen Nissenbaum, Managing Director, Waldorf Astoria New York The Waldorf Astoria New York Park Avenue Lobby (left) and entrance (above) EDITORS’ NOTE Ronen Nissenbaum There are very few iconic brands Hilton has signed a management contract for was named to his current post in and hotels where you say the name 100 years – that’s a fi rst in the industry, and June of 2014. He formerly served and everybody knows exactly what a clear statement to our team members that as the President and CEO of The you mean. we are here to stay. Communicating that we Plaza Group including oversee- The Waldorf Astoria New York envision a multiyear project that will bring ing the Plaza Hotel in New York is at the pinnacle of the hotel industry the Waldorf Astoria to its rightful place has as well as development of the Plaza in terms of property size, revenues, generated a lot of excitement within the team, hotel brand. Prior to this role, he and profits. I enjoy big properties and we all look forward to being a part of held extensive leadership posi- with enormous development poten- this legacy. tions at properties around the tial. This is the only full city block The Waldorf brand was born in this build- globe including Senior Executive hotel in New York with 1,413 guest ing and it will continue to be the fl agship of Vice President of Operations at rooms. Even though there are hotels 27 Waldorf Astoria hotels around the world. Marina Bay Sands Singapore. Ronen Nissenbaum with more rooms, the size of their Even if the rooms come down to 800 Nissenbaum’s other global hospital- rooms are relatively small in com- or so in number, at that size, can you still ity positions include senior management roles parison and the buildings typically occupy offer luxury and personalized service? with Forte hotels in London and Euro Disney one-third or a quarter of a block. Our diverse Part of luxury is personalized experi- in Paris. Nissenbaum also had a successful 13- meeting facilities are exceptional and host ence. We have hundreds of customers who year tenure with InterContinental Hotel Group the most prestigious clients in the city. The communicate to us that they are amazed holding various roles from General Manager in Waldorf Astoria has unique room confi gura- with the personalized service they receive – Tel-Aviv, Berlin, Paris, and Atlanta to Regional tions and historic facilities – it’s a landmark that is today, in a 1,413-room hotel. Our Vice President of Operations for North America hotel, which has hosted an extraordinary ar- most loyal and frequent guests enjoy a level where he was responsible for 16 owned and ray of royalty, dignitaries, and celebrities. of personalized service that most 150-room managed Intercontinental Hotels. His hospital- The fact that it is currently owned by properties don’t achieve. With potentially ity career began with positions in the front of- Hilton and will be managed by Hilton for 100 fewer rooms in the new Waldorf Astoria, fice and food & beverage departments at years is an important element in the decision one can expect an even higher level of properties in Belgium, Switzerland, and Israel. process. In my opinion, it has always been personalized service. Nissenbaum earned an executive M.B.A. from about working for people rather than compa- Irrespective of the hotel’s final design, the renowned Goizueta Business School at nies and fi nding the right industry leaders to our commitment to creating inspirational en- Emory University. He is a graduate of the Swiss follow, learn from, and associate with. The vironments where events of extraordinary Hotel School “Les Roches.” He is also a veteran of opportunity to work with the Hilton leader- importance occur will be part of the Waldorf the Israeli Air Force and an offi cer of the Israeli ship team was very exciting. moving forward. Our commitment to True Defense Forces as IDF Spokesperson. I was also attracted to Hilton’s tremen- Waldorf Service and developing the authentic dous growth – it has more hotels in the pipe- moments that the rich and the famous, as PROPERTY BRIEF The most legendary land- line than any other hotel company in the well as the general public, experience at the mark on Park Avenue, the Waldorf Astoria New world. This is a result of the incredible en- hotel are equally important. Those three fac- York (waldorfnewyork.com), has occupied its ergy, enthusiasm, and culture of Hilton’s lead- tors are most important to me – inspirational current location since 1931. Originally opened ership, which is truly palpable. environments, where authentic moments oc- on Fifth Avenue in 1893, the Waldorf Astoria The opportunity to be a part of reshaping cur, delivered with true Waldorf service. is one of New York’s premier luxury hotels, and the Waldorf Astoria into the next century was With inspirational environments like offers a choice of 1,413 rooms and suites. This instrumental in my decision to pursue this Peacock Alley, the restored Park Avenue lobby, includes the Towers of the Waldorf Astoria, an role. The result of future investments will en- Silver Corridor, Starlight Roof, Vanderbilt and intimate, richly appointed luxury hotel, which sure that the Waldorf Astoria regains its right- Empire Rooms in the main building, and occupy the top 14 fl oors of the property, featur- ful position as “the greatest of them all.” The Towers residential and historic apart- ing 101 suites and 79 executive guest rooms, How important is the communication ments, we have created an extraordinary ex- with exclusive entrance steps off Park Avenue in to reassure your people that some of the perience in the city. We provide authentic the heart of midtown Manhattan. One can ex- tradition and history will be maintained moments through ultimate dining experi- perience refi ned cuisine at the legendary Bull & as you bring the property into the future? ences at Bull & Bear and Peacock Alley, a Bear Prime Steakhouse and the gem of the ho- The passion and love that the Waldorf “Meet me at the Clock” moment as a pre- tel’s lobby, Peacock Alley, along with person- Astoria Team members have for this hotel has lude to events of signifi cance, and roof-to-ta- alized pampering at the Guerlain Spa. resulted in a culture unlike anywhere else in ble dining and spa treatments. To top that off the world. with true Waldorf service that is genuinely How did you know that this role would be For most people, change can be unsettling delivered by our staff, one can only have but the right fi t and what excited you about the and the best way to alleviate their concerns is a single destination in the city: The Waldorf opportunity? through honest and sincere communication. Astoria and Towers New York.• 98 LEADERS POSTED WITH PERMISSION. COPYRIGHT © 2015 LEADERS MAGAZINE, INC. VOLUME 38, NUMBER 1.