Eugene Lee – Executive director at the Casuarina#Meru in Ipoh
By V. Sivaji
Ipoh hotelier Eugene Lee is arguably among the longest serving people in the hospitality industry in the city.
He has been in the industry for more than 35 years and is still going strong.
He is now the executive director at the Casuraina@Meru in Ipoh.
Born and bred in Ipoh, Lee started his career in the Food & Beverage Department in the old Royal Casuarina Hotel Ipoh (now Impiana Hotel) along Jalan Dr Nazrin Shah.
The former Royal Casuarina Hotel was also the training ground for many Ipoh hoteliers who had gone on to make it big in their careers.
Meanwhile, Lee’s hands on attitude and people management has been his plus points over the years in the hospitality industry.
He had worked with some of the renowned general managers in the city like Mr John Djohan, Mr Mark Losi, Mdm Chow Mun Lan and Mr Razman Tajuddin.
“You like him or despise him, he is a person who will ensure that your event is well taken care of”, said a friend and customer who knows him well.
“I started my career in the hospitality industry way back in the 90’s at the then Royal Casuarina Hotel Ipoh which was the busiest and happening hotel in the city.
“It was a good place to meet many politicians, ministers, Prime Ministers and even foreign dignitaries.
He adds that meeting new people every day and learning new things is a never ending process in the industry.
He later joined the Casuarina@Meru taking on new challenges as the F&B director and general manager. He is now the executive director at Casuarina@Meru Ipoh.
In his new role he is responsible for a wide variety of duties in an advisory role.
While not at work, Eugene likes to unwind by listening to oldies and sentimental songs plus travelling.
His last trip overseas was to the “Land of Smiles” (Thailand) with some friends, however, his favourite country is Switzerland.
His wise words for budding hoteliers was “You will never get bored working in the hotel Industry. It is a very challenging and demanding job”,” he shared.
Meanwhile, Casuraina@Meru offers some 146 tastefully decorated rooms and suites along with various facilities.
Among them includes their coffeehouse, gym, swimming pool, business centre, meeting rooms among others.
They also offer the largest ballroom in Ipoh with a capacity of 1,000 pax for large functions and MICE events.
The hotel was recently recognized with the “Excellence in Business Event Hotel” award by the Tourism Perak Award 2024 too.