Home to the VVIPs

Yngvar Stray, general manager of The St. Regis Beijing.
 Yan Xiaoqing / China Daily

Every detail at The St. Regis Beijing, which counts US President Barack Obama among its guests, screams luxury and perfection. Xie Chuanjiao reports

It is not often that someone's first task in a new job is to oversee the arrival of the President of the United States, which puts Yngvar Stray, general manager of The St. Regis Beijing, in a very exclusive club.

The Norwegian-born veteran took over the hotel just 10 days before Barack Obama's state visit to the Chinese capital last November and understandably recalls the experience as "intense".

Just a couple of weeks later, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper made his way to the hotel.

Like these two state leaders, The St. Regis Beijing is not just looking to be No 1, it is also firmly focused on building a lasting legacy.

"St. Regis is a great brand and has a very clear philosophy," says Stray, 45. "We are not the cutting edge in design and style, we are not the 'zen' of the world, we are timeless."

For Stray, leadership is not just about assuming responsibilities with stoicism and grace, but also laying the foundations for a bright future. "Like a leader of any organization, I believe that mentoring and coaching your staff members is the most important duty," he says.

Situated in the heart of the capital's business, shopping and diplomatic district of Jianguomenwai Dajie, the hotel is the address of choice for state leaders, international dignitaries and corporate heavyweights. The suite used by Obama and Harper, is located on the 19th floor and boasts a living room, studio, dining hall, dressing room, bedroom, restroom with a massage tub and a panoramic view of east Beijing.

"As part of the heritage of The St. Regis brand and the hotel's tradition, we want to lead the hospitality industry with state-of-the-art technology, bespoke services and beyond-expectation experiences," Stray tells China Daily.

"Every item in the (presidential) suite is unique and can't be found elsewhere in the world. They are all tailor made."

The St. Regis Beijing was renovated at a cost of $27 million between late 2007 and early 2008, re-establishing its classic distinction and timeless elegance.

Beyond the opulent furnishings and convenient location, Stray says the defining "St. Regis experience" is the service culture which is imbued with a genuine desire to fulfil each request in a personalized and meaningful way.

Its distinctive, beautifully appointed guestrooms, where impressive signature beds, spacious marble bathrooms, and gorgeous garden and city views are complemented by the most advanced modern conveniences, will make even the most weary traveler feel at home, according to the general manager.

Beijing has seen a boom in luxury hotels, with the introduction of many international brands in the market. Since 2007, the number of five-star hotel rooms has risen by almost 60 percent to 7,500.

"We take this as an exciting challenge to compete with the many hotel brands and their managements," says Stray.

Competition among hotels is tough, and the point of differentiation boils down to the brand promise. He believes the St. Regis promise is one that customers can count on.

"The building of a beautiful hotel is just a question of money but delivering a promise comes through hard work and training, by people who are passionate, and have the experience and confidence. That is 10 times more difficult than building a hotel," he says.

Before the Obama visit, most of The St. Regis Beijing's 550 or so staff had already handled several presidential visits. "Instead of being blindfolded, we already had the big picture, so we knew what to do," Stray says proudly.

That experience is vital now that corporate travelers are returning to the market - on the day of the interview, several heads of Fortune 500 companies were staying at the hotel, according to Stray.

The hotel has also seen an upswing in requests for MICE (meeting, incentive, conference, exhibition) business, with booking for the "Starwood Meetings: You Choose Promotion" extended until the end of April.

Stray, who has 25 years of experience in the hotel industry, originally joined The St. Regis Hotel Beijing in 1998 - two months after it opened - as director of sales and marketing. He went on to become manager and developed it into the "most improved hotel in the Asia-Pacific" in the Starwood (its parent company) portfolio.

Before returning to the Beijing hotel last year, Stray was also general manager of The St. Regis Singapore, the first St. Regis hotel in Southeast Asia.

"After leaving Beijing in 2002, my adventure with Starwood continued via more hotel brands and more Asian cultures, but there was always a strong tie between the great city of Beijing, The St. Regis Beijing and myself," he says.

Located on the ground floor of Beijing International Club, The St. Regis Beijing has witnessed many of China's historic and diplomatic moments, he says.

"So I simply followed my fond memories and emotional relationship when the invitation came to return to my former home."