Evan Kwee: Old school man, new age hotelier

To begin to understand who Evan Kwee is, one must first look at his blue-blooded family. His grandfather George Aratani is the founder of the Kenwood empire, and his father Kwee Liong Tek is chairman of Pontiac Land Group, which owns commercial and residential properties locally, and luxury hotels including the Ritz-Carlton Millennia Singapore and Capella Singapore. He is also younger brother to well-known social activist Melissa Kwee, who’s behind several initiatives like Beautiful People, a mentorship programme to help young girls learn life skills.

But he’s no slouch when it comes to holding his own, thank you very much. As vice president of business development at Pontiac’s hotel management company, West Paces Hotel Group, Evan is responsible for scouting for new opportunities around the world and -- his favorite part of the job -- reviewing design-related projects. Currently, he’s working on a number of overseas establishments including Capella Niseko, an 'ultra-luxury' Japanese ski resort that will open 2011.

Intrigued by his impressive curriculum vitae, and the fact that he’s remained low-key all this while, we try to get inside the head of this man who looks and sounds like he just might be one of Singapore’s most eligible bachelors ever.

CNNGo: Does being the boss’s son make your job harder or easier?

Evan Kwee: It definitely makes it easier. My late grandfather, father and uncles are reliable, honest businessmen, and they have built a reputation of being among the best property developers in Singapore. This has opened many doors for me and gives me credibility when I deal with other developers, bankers, architects, and designers. Hotels are in my blood and I love what I do so much; I feel very blessed to be able to work for the family.

CNNGo: You studied economics and entrepreneurship in Boston. What were the first three things you learned about running a hotel on joining the family business?

Kwee: Firstly, it's not as glamorous as it seems. Our management teams work crazy hours and are always at the beck and call of our guests. Also, hotel management is really about human resource management -- it's our responsibility to find the correct job fit for all our employees, so they can flourish. This is why at Capella Hotels and Resorts, and at The Ritz-Carlton Hotels and Resorts, every employee from the doorman to the general manager goes through a 'talent' interview. Lastly, a great hotel needs to be aesthetically pleasing and have exceptional service. Without both it will never be truly great.

CNNGo: How do your hotels plan to stay competitive when up against boutique outfits that promise a more intimate experience?

Kwee: Boutique hotels are indeed becoming more popular. However, in my opinion, our Ritz-Carlton and Conrad hotels are designed to attract high-end corporate travelers, and they're located in the CBD (Central Business District), close to MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) facilities like Suntec City Convention Centre. A boutique hotel simply can't compete with this.

CNNGo: Resorts World is opening in Sentosa in 2010 -- do you think it’ll be giving Capella Singapore a run for its money?

Kwee: I only see it as a good thing as it will ultimately bring more people to Sentosa, raising the profile of the island globally. In any case, our hotels compete in different segments of the market. At Capella Singapore, it is all about personalized service and customization, which is made possible because we only have 112 rooms. The hotels at Resorts World, with close to 2,000 rooms, will have less emphasis on personalized service, and they will appeal to a different profile of guests.

CNNGo: What do you currently make of the hospitality scene in Singapore?

Kwee: I'm reasonably happy with the state of our hospitality scene, but we can certainly make greater strides in adopting ethical recruitment practices. A growing number of our foreign employees are exploited by labor agents who often demand up to a year's pay for securing their jobs, leaving them financially vulnerable. It is difficult for staff to be happy if they are in debt, and I believe that happy employees make for happy customers. So we are trying to improve current practices by bypassing these agents.

CNNGo: Has your famous sister Melissa Kwee taught you any valuable lessons?

Kwee: Melissa is just such a nice person to be around, and her actions have reinforced my beliefs that everyone can make a difference no matter how small the contribution. She's also shown me that no matter how hard the battle may seem, anything is possible.

CNNGo: We hear you’re an active tennis player, and you cycle to work in Millennia Towers everyday from your home in Leedon Park. What else do you do to unwind?

Kwee: I cycle more, or watch TV. I love TV -- I watch everything, but mainly sports and documentaries.

CNNGo: The Kwee family business is apparently worth S$3.2 billion. What’s your philosophy on saving and spending?

Kwee: I definitely save much more than I spend. I used to spend on clothes, but now I spend mainly on my bicycles -- I have three! I also like watches. The one I value most is an old Rolex Explorer II that was made in the year I was born.

getting there

Capella Singapore
1 The Knolls, Singapore
tel +65 6377 8888
www.capellasingapore.com