Debra Li

    debra_lidan@163.com

    ALL those who are married know the secret to staying happy is to come up with new ideas to keep their love life fresh. The same may apply to running a hotel, according to the experienced hotelier Eggert Muus, general manager of Kempinski Hotel Shenzhen.

    To celebrate the Easter holiday, for example, the hotel arranged an egg painting competition for some 30 staff members and regular customers in advance. On Easter Day, while parents enjoyed an Easter buffet, hotel employees took care of their kids and involved them in an egg-hunting game.

    “Not all our guests are on business trips,” explained Muus. “Many come to Shenzhen for a leisure visit, socializing with family and friends.”

    So it’s essential to provide them with fun entertainment.

    “We will introduce more international traditions to China, like Easter, St. Patrick Day, Midsummer Festival and autumn lantern festival — some holiday events not known by many Chinese. Autumn time in Germany, we have children walking with lanterns in their hands in the parks, and sometimes with a small orchestra leading the parade. It is beautiful.”

    The general manager said he would also introduce local traditions to foreign guests, like a litchi-picking event in early summer. “In Europe, where fresh litchi fruits are rarely found, people don’t often get to eat them. Especially to pick the fruits fresh from the tree with their own hands, it will be an unforgettable experience.”

    The hotel is also preparing a jogging map for guests. “Guests will want to explore the neighborhood, while they stay with us, so we’d better provide recommendations, so they have good local experiences.”

    Muus is spending his weekends exploring the city himself in order to gain first-hand experiences to share with his guests.

    “The first thing I bought here was a bicycle. It’s very nice to ride from the hotel to Shenzhen Bay Park or in the other direction to Shekou, doing a little sightseeing and trying out small restaurants in the area.

    “In the future, we may arrange bicycle tours, surprise picnics or barbecues for guests and employees alike. A hotel is a business that brings people together, no matter where they come from.”

    A horticulture fan, Muus planted a beautiful garden at his summerhouse in Turkey. Now he is ready to share this passion with people around him. “We are planning a herbal garden in front of the hotel so that our guests and their children can learn about herbs and pick some if they like.”

    Not wanting to confuse his team with drastic changes too quickly, the general manager is helping the hotel team to take small steps to adapt to new ideas.

    For example, in an age where every five-star hotel caters roughly the same buffet, Kempinski offers something different — a recommended main course prepared by the head chef included in the price of the buffet. “At present we have horsehead fish with sliced mushrooms, and we will rotate the menu every two weeks.”

    At the lobby bar, just in case people don’t like English tea, the hotel is offering a Chinese version during the day. “In the evening, guests want the lobby to be more lively, so we are arranging for a live band performance to return to the hotel. We have to strike a balance between relaxing and having fun,” the manager said.

    Having served as the general manager for Kempinski Shenzhen during 2008-2010, Muus said Nanshan has been growing fast.

    “There was just a muddy road in front of our hotel the last time I was here, and now it’s a bustling CBD area.”Royal Matcha.

    With Baidu and other office buildings under construction in the neighborhood, Muus said new development will bring more energy and business opportunities. Healthy competition from other hotels in the area is “definitely welcome,” he said.