Face-to-Face: Achim V. Hake
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As The Sherwood Taipei marks its 25th anniversary, Travel Daily chats with its long-standing general manager, Achim V. Hake…
Q) The Sherwood Hotel turns 25 this year, and you’ve been there for most of that time. How has the hotel developed over the years?
In 1990 there were very few globally recognised five-star hotels in Taipei. As one of the first, The Sherwood Taipei created the hospitality benchmark 25 years ago and continues to confidently set the standards for excellent, customised, and anticipatory service. From the past 25 years, we guaranteed excellent service quality.
The Sherwood Taipei is the first hotel that invited Michelin guest chefs, and today, The Sherwood Taipei has become a famous dining destination in both local and regional markets. We keep abreast of the times and have updated the technology of the hotel according to customers’ needs, such as providing free Wi-Fi. The Sherwood has become the top-choice in Taipei for renowned political and business figures from across the world. Honourable guests President George Bush, Lady Margaret Thatcher, entertainment artists, sports celebrities, and business leaders from all around the world have enjoyed staying at The Sherwood Taipei.
Besides, The Sherwood Taipei has been keen on community involvement and devoted to public welfare during the past 25 years. We worked with local universities in Taiwan and provide trainee and internship opportunities to around 50 interns each year. We’ve also donated TW$10 million (US$320,000) to liver disease association and donated cars and computers to Special Education Center in Hualien.
Q) What has been the secret of the hotel’s success?
The Sherwood Taipei presents the highest standard of service quality and pays personalised attention to every service detail. Hotel guests will feel at home as soon as they step into the hotel, and we welcomed a lot of returning guests to the hotel who were deeply impressed by our excellent service.
Alan Tang, Sherwood’s star butler who has been working at the hotel for 19 years, shared his secret as follows: always think ahead, observe carefully, and provide anticipatory service before the customers asking for. By following these rules, Alan has taken credits for his excellent service from guests from all over the world.
Q) How is Taipei’s hotel sector performing at present, and what challenges/opportunities are you facing?
Recent years have witnessed hotel boom in Taipei thanks to the prosperity of Taiwan tourism. Today, an increasing number of international luxury hotels are entering Taipei with better hardware and more high-tech touches. As a result, hotels in Taipei are facing occupancy challenges and need to have more flexibility in pricing.
Established five-star venues also need to keep their competitive edge; The Sherwood Taipei has updated our technology by providing free Wi-Fi, and the Executive Business Center service. Besides, we stand out by virtue of our longstanding commitment to exemplary customer service and classical traditions. In addition, The Sherwood Taipei is located in the heart of Taipei’s Min Shen neighbourhood, surrounded by various boutique stores, and is just five minutes from Songshan Airport.
Excellent service, ideal location, and local touch have made Sherwood Taipei remain invincible in the increasingly competitive market.
Q) In terms of guests, what are your main source markets, and what trends are you seeing? For example, are you seeing a rise in guests from mainland China?
Taiwan’s tourism industry is on the fast track for success and expects inbound visitor numbers to top 10 million for the first time in 2015. We definitely see the rise in guests from mainland China and they have become a large component of Sherwood Taipei’s guests, as well for the whole of Taiwan. Besides, we also saw the increase of the mixed market with US and Europe, as well as other Asia Pacific markets such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, etc.
The other trend we’ve seen is the changing consumer lifestyles, especially the changing values of affluent travellers. Today, more and more consumers like to stay in luxury accommodation as a way of rewarding themselves, which has brought huge opportunities to high-end five-star hotels.
In general, The Sherwood Taipei targets global business and leisure travellers and aims to make every guest’s visit to Taipei a comfortable and enjoyable one.
Q) And what further developments can we expect from the Sherwood in the coming months and years?
On the occasion of the hotel’s 25th anniversary, The Sherwood Taipei has launched special room package and food & beverage promotions to celebrate this milestone in the hotel’s history.
At the same time, the Sherwood will be developed as an ideal commercial and MICE destination through improving our existing Executive Business Center service and meeting venues. In addition, we will focus more on luxury leisure travellers by highlighting the epicurean experience, spa treatment, and fitness centres of the hotel.
We are excited to announce that the owning company of The Sherwood Taipei is going to open the first Marriott hotel in Taiwan this year, with the opening of Taipei Marriott Hotel in July 2015.
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