A Hidden Gem An Interview with Vikram Sardana, The Michelangelo Hotel exterior (below); General Manager, The Michelangelo Hotel and lobby (top left and right) EDITORS’ NOTE Vikram Sardana in Times Square with mid-week rates in Howchallengingisthefoodandbever- has held his current post since the $200 range. It’s very similar to what agepartofthebusiness? January of 2016. He received a the airline industry has become. With the competitive market of New Bachelor of Science degree from HowdoyoucharacterizeThe York City restaurants, I believe that only Johnson & Wales University and from Michelangelo? breakfast service will be left in hotels unless the Institute of Hotel Management in Michelangelo is a true New York a property has a celebrity-chef driven res- India. City gem. Steps from Broadway, taurant or an exceptional lounge or rooftop Times Square, and the major corpo- bar experience. PROPERTY BRIEF In many ways, rate buildings on Sixth Avenue, as Howdoyouoffertheexpectedtech- The Michelangelo Hotel (michel well as a short five-minute walk to nologywithoutlosingthepersonaltouch? angelohotel.com) is the epitome of New Central Park, we offer the ideal loca- We work to strike a balance between offering York: a four-star grand master of a tion for both business and leisure guests the ease and convenience of technology hotel on the corner of 51st Street Vikram Sardana travelers. Guests love our boutique while maintaining our high-level of personalized and 7th Avenue in Manhattan. Like feel, amazing service, and thoughtful service. The hospitality industry is still a ‘people’ the city itself, the hotel is a tapestry of influences, amenities. business and we find our guests continue to visit wrapped up in authentic Italian elegance, chic Fromanaccommodationpointof for our friendly smile and warm welcome. style, and warm hospitality. It is this combina- view,isthereacommonfeelthroughout Howcriticalhasitbeentohavesuch tion that distinguishes The Michelangelo from theproperty? astrongrelationshipwithyourownerswho other four-star hotels in New York areinterestedinthelongterm? City. The Michelangelo is man- It’s one of the most impor- aged by Highgate, a premier tant elements of a successful hospitality investment and man- property. Along with our owners, agement company, whose grow- we believe we have to continu- ing portfolio includes more than ously add value to our product to 100 properties in gateway cities stay current and to ensure guests worldwide. continue coming back. Doyoustilldefineyour InNewYorkCity,howstrong roleasahospitalityroleorisit isthemarkettodayandisit moreofabusinessrole? challengingtofindgrowth? It’s a combination of both. With 8,000 rooms being Every day, we have to stay focused added to the New York City mar- on service and profit – not service ket on an annual basis, this supply or profit. This balance makes for increase is the single biggest chal- a great operator. We have to con- lenge facing all hoteliers. stantly reimagine the business to Howhardisittodrive remain relevant within hospitality occupancywhilekeepingup while also achieving our desired rates? bottom line. That can be a challenge Didyouknowearlyon depending on the season but it’s thathospitalitywaswhereyou imperative to find the balance wantedtobe? between maintaining the product Yes, I’ve always had a pas- and relevance while keeping the sion for travel and hospitality. I’m rates competitive. thrilled to be doing what I love at Isitevenmoredifficult an exceptional hotel in one of the todaywhenbookingwindows greatest cities in the world. aregettingshorter? Howimportantisitfor There are times when I’d youngpeopletogeton-the- advise people to hold off on book- groundtraining? ing but, with the supply in the market, we are The hotel offers everything needed for It’s imperative. The daily challenges of noticing that people want to book immediately to travelers of all types from business to families running a hotel can’t be experienced within a get the best rate. in a warm and luxurious atmosphere. Guests classroom; real-world experience is key. A good During summer months we can find com- are always impressed by the size of the rooms attitude and patience is also crucial to success pression but it’s not too substantial. We saw hotels and quality of the amenities. in this industry.• VOLUME 40, NUMBER 1 POSTED WITH PERMISSION. COPYRIGHT © 2017 LEADERS MAGAZINE, INC. LEADERS 177.