Lobby at The St. Regis New York
Octavia Marginean-Tahiroglu
Ballroom at The St. Regis New York
HOW DID YOU GET INTO THIS LINE OF WORK?
I stumbled into hospitality and immediately fell in love with its energy and its complexity. My dream wasn’t necessarily to work in hotels or become a general manager. In fact, the hospitality industry wasn’t even on my radar until college. While in college here in New York, I started working in restaurants and bars and, eventually, landed in hotels. Just as many people in their twenties feel, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. What I did know was that hotels made sense to me, as they are based on pure common sense, and I had plenty of that. The beginning of my career was like a Pandora’s box; every department I explored opened my eyes to new possibilities. I am grateful to the many people who influenced my career. My passion for tourism comes from people who have inspired me, from all stakeholders I service, and the reality that there is room for everyone in hospitality regardless of skills or passion.
WHAT DO YOU STRIVE TO BRING TO THE TABLE AT THE ST. REGIS NEW YORK AS GENERAL MANAGER?
The St. Regis New York is legendary. I am a passenger in its long history of general managers. Our executive team strives to create a legacy of new leaders inspired to work hard, build resilience and believe in the sophistication of small gestures. Luxury is a privilege, and luxury hotels are not for the faint of heart. The luxury hospitality industry requires hard work and a humble attitude. I believe it’s our duty to create a truly memorable experience for every guest who walks through our doors.
WHAT DO YOU THINK GUESTS LOOK FOR IN THEIR STAY?
We transitioned through the history of luxury hospitality from the invisible service done quietly and unobtrusively towards an interactive, engaging approach to service based on anticipatory thinking and notable experiences. Our demographics are ever-changing as generations of travellers bring their own perspectives into the definition of experiences. We’ve learned that travellers make decisions based on a holistic approach that includes sustainability but also have an avid curiosity for storytelling and history. At The St. Regis New York, we celebrate our history by continuing to honour rituals and traditions established by the Astor Family over a century ago — the Bloody Mary, St. Regis’ signature cocktail; champagne sabering; and more. For example, we also offer private champagne sabering masterclasses for those who want to bring a piece of The St. Regis New York home with them. Our team is very seasoned, and their long tenure brings invaluable stories they can share about the hotel’s storied past.
Clockwise from top-left: Fifth Avenue Suite bedroom; Presidential Suite bathroom; Imperial Suite living room; Bentley Suite dining room
HOW DO YOU KEEP THE HOTEL’S HIGH-QUALITY STANDARDS CONSISTENT?
Consistency is the key to our success, and repetition is the mother of learning. I think it’s a priority to invest in our people through training, and that is essential to our culture. Humans wake up in the morning and want to succeed. I am committed to supporting each and every member of my team’s success. Through our briefings, we take time to celebrate and highlight important events happening in the hotel every day. We celebrate birthdays and work anniversaries, share the stats, and, depending on the department, go over Forbes or AAA standards that are important for our improvement in performance. We try to energise our teams and keep them engaged. We celebrate successes and try to find viable solutions when challenges occur. We trust and empower our teams to always do the right thing.
YOU’RE THE HOTEL’S FIRST FEMALE GENERAL MANAGER – TELL US MORE ABOUT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS…
Roman philosopher Lucius Annaeus Seneca reminds us that luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. I’ve enjoyed every opportunity I’ve had in my career. It’s important to be grateful. One might think that I’ve made history as the first female General Manager at The St. Regis New York since 1904. I am humbled and honoured to lead such a magnificent team and property. I am so grateful to my owners, my fellow colleagues and the regional team for having faith in me. Though General Manager is a coveted title in our industry, a title is just a title. How we make people feel and the results we drive is what counts. In the past decade, the industry has seen an increase in the number of female general managers, and we are here to stay.
WHAT CAN GUESTS EXPECT FROM A STAY AT THE HOTEL?
The guest experience at The St. Regis New York is truly incredible. There is such a rich history associated with the hotel that is unlike anywhere else in the world. From the invention of the Bloody Mary to the infamous parties thrown by hotel guest Salvador Dalí, the hotel has served as the backdrop for some of the city’s most memorable events. From an accommodation perspective, the Fifth Avenue Suite is my favourite. It is a pure representation of the hotel’s concept over a century ago. It is residential and intimate and features a marvellous living room with views of Fifth Avenue. The two bathrooms are simply stunning, and the kitchenette makes me think I could comfortably live in a Fifth Avenue Suite for the rest of my days. In my opinion, a perfect evening at The St. Regis New York would begin by sabering a bottle of champagne, enjoying dinner in Astor Court and ending the night with an Old Fashioned in the King Cole Bar. Additionally, every guest of The St. Regis New York enjoys the signature St. Regis Butler Service, one of the hotel’s most visible representations of its famed level of service. Available 24 hours a day, they are dedicated personal assistants managing and facilitating an unlimited array of guest requests. Whatever the question, the answer is always YES.
Astor Court lounge
Astor Court dining room
King Cole Bar
To find out more about The St. Regis New York and book, contact the hotel using the below details:
The St. Regis New York
Two E 55th St
New York
NY 10022
United States
Web: marriott.com/the-st-regis-new-york
Tel: +1 212-753-4500
Email: stregisny.res@stregis.com
Instagram: @stregisnewyork