Lee at Citadines Prai Penang
Lee at the Citadines Connect Georgetown
By V. Sivaji
Penang Hyperlocal had the chance to sit down with one of the up and coming resident managers in Penang, Lee Boon Kae.
He is overseeing two properties here, namely, the Citadines Prai Penang and the Citadines Connect Georgetown.
We were keen to find out what drives his enthusiasm and dynamism in the hospitality industry despite the various challenges.
Presently, with the hospitality industry burgeoning in Penang, more of such steely talents are surely in demand.
Among the rapid fire questions are as follows –
Q – When did you start in the hospitality industry and work in which departments?
A – It started 20 years (2003) at the E&O Hotel. I was in the F&B department at that time. Well actually, my first position was part-timer in the E & O Hotel. I started my career from the bottom and went through all the levels in the hotel business. I was attracted by this five-star luxury style, meeting people every day, foreigners coming to the hotel, being well dressed, wine and dining around, so I decided that I want to be part of this world.
Q – Which are the hotels you have worked with?
A – Eastern & Oriental Hotel, Eastin Hotel Penang, The Light Hotel and now the Ascott Malaysia Group started in 2021 (Citadine Prai Penang – formerly Sky Residence Praiand Citadines Connect Georgetown Penang)
Q – What are the challenges taking care of two properties?
A – All this while, I was in the full fledged hotel business model and Serviced Residences business components are very different from it. Serviced residences cater to the growing demand from expatriates & travellers for a homely, spacious & affordable alternative to the typical hotel room. The flexibility of sharing an apartment yet enjoying the privacy of individual bedrooms, instead of booking multiple rooms in a hotel are the characteristics of serviced residences. But it is good knowledge and challenges that I took up on these two properties.
Q – How do you juggle your time between work and home?
A – The truth is that it is not easy balancing work with family. I don’t get home in time for dinner on a regular basis. The weekend is the closest thing revered. No laptop in the bedroom. The moment that I’m with my children is the moment that I want to be with them.
Q – How many team members are there in both properties and your management style ?
A – We have close to 90 associates in both properties. My policy is work hard and play hard. Be open and always have a two-way communication, discipline and finally to think rationally.
Q – Who are your mentors you look up to?
A – I have to say it is my father. He taught me that to be responsible and deliver as promised from an early age.
Q – On a personal note how do you unwind after a long day ?
A – I always relax by listening to music, being alone and my me time before reaching home in my car. Otherwise, I like to watch movies or dramas with my family.
Q – Any other information you might want to share?
A – Many people I see nowadays rush to do so many things. I live in the moment with no regrets, we can’t really know what happen next as the world is changing so fast, we should adapt to it and change accordingly otherwise we will be left out.
Lee is among the new crop of Hotel Managers, Executive Assistant Managers, Resident Managers and General Managers in Penang who have the potential to lead the hospitality in Penang to the next level.
His hard work, dedication and willingness to learn new things has taken him to places.
Syabas Lee Boon Kae.