Approachable Luxury An Interview with Shawn Hauver, Managing Director, The Knickerbocker St. Cloud rooftop bar (left); the living area of the Caruso Suite (above) EDITORS’ NOTE Shawn Hauver, What excited you about coming to How broad is the competitive set for you? a 30-year hospitality veteran, has this property and made you feel it The entire luxury segment is our competition, held various executive leadership would be a great fit? though it really depends on the customer. During positions across Loews Hotels and Since the careful restoration and midweek, our guest base is comprised of mostly Resorts for the past 16 years, in- reopening of the hotel, I’ve seen the tre- corporate travelers. Our close proximity to a myriad cluding Area Manager, Managing mendous growth and rebirth of this leg- of headquarter offices makes The Knick especially Director, and Hotel Manager at endary landmark as a fixture in the heart convenient, but this central location near both Loews Miami Beach. In his most re- of the city. The Knickerbocker continues Times Square and Bryant Park also attracts a great cent position as Vice President of to set the standard for luxury hotels in deal of leisure travelers on the weekends, being Operations for the East Coast region NYC and is uniquely positioned as the steps from Broadway. of Loews Hotels, Hauver oversaw op- first and only five-star hotel in Times How difficult is it to drive food and bever- erations and profitability for nine Square. It is exciting to have this oppor- age profit in a city like New York and what is properties throughout New York Shawn Hauver tunity to build upon this momentum and the secret to being successful? City, Boston, Washington, D.C., and use this great history to inspire a new age It goes back to creating food and bever- Canada. Prior to his tenure with Loews, Hauver of innovation. My goal is to bring about this revolu- age offerings that are compelling not just for led several food and beverage programs within tion by pioneering exceptional programming and the hotel guests, but also for New Yorkers. the Hyatt Hotels and Resorts collection. through consistently engaging service. We have amazing venues, led and curated by Times Square is not always equated with Charlie Palmer, that have received rave reviews PROPERTY BRIEF With roots that read like a luxury. How do you communicate that your from critics and publications. These outlets have glittering history of New York City’s golden age, service standard holds up to the highest lux- shown a high rate of returning customers. The The Knickerbocker (theknickerbocker.com) is a ury standards? experience at St. Cloud rooftop cannot be du- legendary landmark reborn. A member of the We are at an exciting juncture in which plicated. From the views of Broadway to the prestigious Leading Hotels of the World luxury seemingly every industry and paradigm is being New Year’s Eve Waterford Crystal Ball just 150 collection, all that The Knickerbocker stands for disrupted by innovators. Shifts in opinion are hap- feet above the hotel, it’s a sight that everyone is indigenous to its namesake city of innovation. pening quickly and dramatically every day, and should see at least once. Moreover, we strive to Originally opened in 1906 by John Jacob Astor we are playing an integral role in the redevelop- expand our program by incorporating initiatives IV, welcoming the glitterati and dignitaries of ment of Times Square. To be avant-garde, one like the $45 “Martini Lunch” at Charlie Palmer the time, the hotel was officially registered as a must be bold enough to literally stand at the front at The Knick. New York City landmark in 1988, and its legacy lines and make way for something new. That’s ex- Is the meetings focus primarily high-level stands on the foundation of an illustrious his- actly what we’re doing. Whether staying in one of but more intimate? tory. The Knick is ideally situated on the south- our premier Tribute Suites, stopping by for cock- With an unrivaled location and 2,200 square east corner of 42nd Street overlooking Times tails at St. Cloud amid a panorama of New York feet of dedicated meeting and event space, plus Square, between Broadway and Bryant Park. City’s vibrant skyline, or dining in our world-class fine dining by Charlie Palmer, we can host intimate Its 330 guest rooms, including 31 suites and its restaurants by Charlie Palmer, extraordinary ven- board meetings as well as unforgettable receptions. four newly unveiled Tribute Suites – each indi- ues are matched with unparalleled service. Guests Due to our strong corporate business, we can lever- vidually inspired by an icon that was integral to get the classic 42nd Street Country Club experi- age much of that into group business, as well as its history – support an elegant, luxury lifestyle ence that The Knickerbocker was known for meetings and events. experience. Critically acclaimed Chef Charlie in the 1900s, but with an inviting, contemporary In the hotel space, how do you define a Palmer is at the helm of The Knickerbocker’s appeal. true luxury experience? highly regarded food and beverage program. What type of suite product do you offer? The first impression of luxury is always aes- Guests can enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, or We have four Tribute Suites, and they all ref- thetic, which we showcase in all touch points. But cocktail service at Charlie Palmer at The Knick. erence the history of the hotel. The Cohan Suite the way I would characterize luxury lies more in A signature lunch may include a classic martini, is attributed to George Cohan’s legacy as a guest service, and here at The Knickerbocker, we are which is said to have first been stirred-up at the here. The Caruso Suite, which is the largest signa- achieving that through what I call “approachable property by Martini di Arma di Taggia for John ture presidential suite, presents elements that com- luxury.” We offer great service by anticipating and D. Rockefeller. Additionally, artisanal café fare memorate our most noteworthy guest. The Martini delivering on the wants and needs of our guests be- is available at the lobby level coffee shop, Jake’s Suite is of course named after the famous drink that fore they have to ask. We have quickly developed @ The Knick, and distinguished lounge service was invented here, so legend has it. Finally, the a tremendously loyal repeat-guest base because is offered at the plush St. Cloud rooftop bar and Parrish Suite is named after Maxfield Parrish – the we have taken the opportunity to get to know our terrace, which opens to extraordinary views of artist who painted the famous “King Cole” mural, guests personally. It’s a fresh approach to service Times Square. Hotel amenities also include a as commissioned by John Jacob Astor IV for the that makes our guests feel comfortable and catered state-of-the-art fitness center curated by famed hotel and sold after the property’s original closure to in an authentic way, and it shows a high level NBA star Larry Johnson and a 2,200-square-foot in 1921. An additional 31 stylish and spacious suites of luxury and attention to detail within the overall event space for up to 160 guests. are the perfect retreats for families. experience.• 110 LEADERS POSTED WITH PERMISSION. COPYRIGHT © 2016 LEADERS MAGAZINE, INC. VOLUME 39, NUMBER 3.