Orientation
22 Feb 2007 – I’ve been here two months now, but only very recently did I have my orientation. Been looking forward to it, mainly because that’s the one and only time that a staff member may ever get the chance to see the sunset villas, the resort’s equivalent of the presidential suite, and they go for a hefty US$4400 per night! But would you believe it, at that price, it’s still fully booked till April?!! Hmm… probably just loose change for some out there.
But anyway, yeah, I was pretty psyched up for the event. Here’s the team I spent the weekend with, including Robert, the assistant HR manager, in green. Two whole days away from the spa, wow, feels almost like a holiday, especially since we don’t have to don uniforms and had free access to chocolate-coated doughnuts and croissants the entire day.
Part of the training includes a tour of the entire resort, and when I say entire, I REALLY mean entire, including the “Powerhouse” which is where we store all the turbines that generate electricity for the island, the walk-in freezer where we keep all the restaurants’ ice-creams, kindergarten where Celina, the GM’s daughter goes to school, and the sanitation plant; and I guess I wouldn’t have to spoil anyone’s breakfast/lunch/dinner by explaining what that place does! This tour would be particularly eye-opening for staff that is below supervisory level; usually they aren’t permitted to wander around in guest areas, apart from the confines of their job. Which is why again, I’ve felt very fortunate here. Unlike at Chiva Som, here I’m able to wander almost everywhere on the compounds and also make full use of guest facilities, with the exception of the pool, but why would I miss that when I’m surrounded by the glistening waters of the Indian Ocean?!?
Apart from island-hopping, we also learnt all about Hilton’s history, philosophy and brand standards. Hee hee, good to finally know the benchmark I should be living and serving up to. Feel a bit like I’ve been trying to grapple in the dark the last two months. I must say that I am pretty touched by Conrad Hilton’s (founder of Hilton, and you’ve guessed it, Conrad) original vision for his hotels. For instance, the Hilton Brand Promise is “To put back a little of what life takes out”, which is basically to provide personalized and hassle-free service in a consistent manner. However Hilton envisaged for his staff to do this beyond the confines of the hotel, he envisioned them to bring this attitude into their everyday lives, to extend this kindness to fellow team members (yep, that’s what all Hilton staff are referred to, from the GM to waiting staff, everyone’s a team member) and even to strangers they meet on the streets.
During the orientation, we also got to know about some important company facts and figures, including a list of Hilton “firsts”. For instance, did you know that Hilton’s:
- the first hotel company to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange: 1947
- the first hotel to install TVs in every guest room: 1951
- the first to launch the concept of the airport hotel: San Fran 1959
The other thing that I find very endearing is that Hilton does make the effort to take care of their staff. It is said that as much as possible, job vacancies are filled within before looking outside, i.e. internal promotions are encouraged. In addition, personal growth is endorsed through the “Hilton University”, which is a set of online management and development courses that all staff members have access to. On a more practical level, staff facilities are viewed to be plentiful as compared to similar resorts. From the ever popular Manta Bar to the team member gym, from computers with free internet access to a library, from international TV channels in each and every room to a newly erected mosque that’s said to be even grander than the local mosque on some other islands. The company has also recently spent a large sum on restoring the badminton courts and now, they’re pumping another US$100,000 into constructing a proper soccer field (as opposed to a giant sand pit). And yep, all this is purposefully done for the staff. Guests ironically do not get to see, let alone use, much of the facilities that I’ve just described. Additionally, unlike some corporate type companies that try to make an individual conform to suit the establishment, in Hilton, we are apparently encouraged to be ourselves and let our personalities shine; to bring our personal touch into our jobs. Hmm… whilst there are certainly limits to that ideal, I must agree that to an extent, it is practiced here in the resort.
Ok ok, before I drag myself down any further by sounding like some chao Hilton groupie (probably too late!), I’d better move on to the photos. So come! Let’s tour the island. From past blogs, you would have seen some parts of the resort already, so today I’ll show you a few places which we don’t usually get to see, quite a few of them were in fact virginal visits for me too.
You might be quite familiar with the Spa Retreat, which is basically my office, but there’s actually another spa over at Rangali island called the Over Water Spa. In fact, this was Hilton Maldives’ original spa before the SR opened just over 19 months ago.
And here we are at the entrance of it.
Over at this spa, there are only four treatment rooms…
…three of which come with glass bottom floors, so you see how the spa got its name. Massage beds are literally positioned over water, and whilst getting a nice soothing treatment, you can peer down at the myriad of marine life beneathe you.
Next, as promised, here we are at Kindy, which is my roommate, the kindy teacher, Rachel’s (on right) office. Can you imagine? This whole place for only two little girls – Celina, the GM’s daughter, and Afla, who’s Naz, the Maldivian HR Personnel’s daughter. Both girls pretty much grew up on the resort, coming when they were tiny tots, and now they are five! See this is what I mean when I say Hilton does take care of its staff, even family members are catered for.
Rauf seems to be making himself pretty comfortable. Haha, maybe he’s thinking “Surely there’s room for one more…”
My other roommate’s Elli, the gym supervisor, and here we are having a little chat with her right outside the locker rooms.
Meeting the management team is very much part of this Orientation training as well. So as you can see, here we are being introduced to Sandrine, the Director of Sales and Marketing.
And then there’s Alexis, who’s the manager over at the Sub Aqua dive centre. You can see all ears were peeled when he started telling us about the free introductory dive that’s open to all team members.
Alright, alright, enough chit-chatting oredi. Next, I’ll actually show you the range of villas that we have here on the island. The thing is when I first came, I saw our slogan, “One resort… two islands… three luxurious experiences…” everywhere, and for the longest time I just could not figure out what the “three luxurious experiences” were?! Erm, spa, diving and makan? Sun, sand and sea? Like what?!! So confusing… And finally I learnt somewhere that it was actually referring to the three types of accommodation we have here at the resort – the spa villas, the beach villas and the water villas! Orr… so desu ne… and today we got to see an example of each of them.
First we visited a Spa Villa. As the name suggests, these villas come with a couple treatment room equipped with massage beds, and if guests were so inclined, they can enjoy facials, massages and body wraps, all from the comfort of their own room.
This is the bedroom…
…the very spacious changing room
…and the huge bathtub! Oh wow… I’d kill to have a soak in this!
But the best part – your own private deck, perfect for enjoying those glorious sunsets! And those steps, they lead into your own piece of the ocean, haha, your personal swimming pool if you may. If I sound suaku, it’s because this IS the first time I’ve actually been inside a spa villa even though I work a stone’s throw away… So yep, there I was “oohing” and “ahing” along with the rest of the gang.
Next, we viewed what turned out to be my favourite style of island living – the Beach Villas! You would soon see why!
As you step through the entrance, you are greeted by this sweet little fountain, beyond which is your open-air bathroom that comes with “His” and “Hers” sinks. I’ve always liked the idea of “His” and “Hers” sinks!
But before we step into the villa proper, to the left, there’s an outdoor bath built for two… sunken into the floor somemore. Wah-liao, like Cleopatra or something?!? Now all you need is a thousand gallons of milk, and a brawny well-oiled attendant, or two.
That’s not all! There’s also an al fresco rain shower! Oh Billie! I want…
And NOW we go inside…
Look at it, just look at it! So pretty! Ceiling to floor glass doors, flat screen TV, stereo, lovely artwork… Love the choice of colours as well, perfect for this sort of idyllic resort, so cooling and refreshing.
Are you sure I can’t get just ONE MORE cushion? Like really?…
There’s more surprises beyond these doors…
Look! Your very own private jacuzzi… geez…
And Bi, do you know why YOU would love this room? It comes with its own coffee machine! Just look at the coffee selection?!?
And now, to get to the third and final “experience”, we need to cross the bridge to get to the other island. Wow, you’re in for a treat, ‘cos guess what’s docked at the Air Taxi platform? Hilton Maldives’ first and spanking new seaplane!
Isn’t it gorgeous? The design and colours are fabulous, so bright and vibrant and happy!… I know, I know, I’m starting to sound like a Hilton buff again. Gotta kick this bad habit. Note to self: gushing and raving about your workplace is so NOT cool! Totally going to ruin my repute as a uber-chic, ultra-hip ice queen.
Recap:
Did someone have the audacity to say “ice queen”?!! Ahem, erh yah, so where were we? Moving on, moving on…
So yes, FINALLY! We come to the third Hilton Maldives experience… the legendary Sunset Villas!
Yep, this is it, all 250 square metres, all over water as well! For your info, the smallest guest room on the island is a mere 74 square metres.
Unfortunately though, ‘cos the resort has been so fully booked, the only time we could see the room was when it was being cleaned. Bummer! Oh well, better than nothing…
You might recognise this photo, this is the living area.
And this is the James Bond style revolving bed… so you can see both the sunrise and sunset without ever having to get up.
Just check out the bathroom! It’s massive! Bigger than my entire room — that I share with two other persons!
It even comes with its own guest room…
… which has its own separate bathroom
The sundeck, and of course, it comes with its own private jacuzzi!
Ok, apparently the next set of guests is due to arrive very soon, so we mustn’t interrupt the cleaning process a minute more, so moving on… no worries, we’ve got a few other gems yet.
For instance, here we have the wine bar. I might have mentioned this before so bear with me if I did… this little nook is a temple for wine and cheese lovers – serving up a hundred of the world’s finest cheeses, with a hundred matching wines. As you can see, it’s for a very private seating. Oooh, one special event held here that gets us girls going is the “Wine vs. Chocolate” night, where guests get a tasting of three different wines and chocolates grown from the same region. Sounds so indulgent doesn’t it? And you betcha seats are coveted, but I’d be damn if I don’t try it at least once before I leave! And of course, must mention the sand. The sand, the sand. Believe it or not, it’s a volcanic variety that’s specially flown in from New Zealand! Wah liao, so bourgeois!
Not to be confused with the Wine Bar is the Wine Cellar. Again, the setting is very intimate, seating a maximum of only 12 guests. And indeed the walls are lined from ceiling to floor by bottles and bottles of fine wines and other exceptional liqueur. Here, we serve a full degustation dinner, which is hosted by Kavita the sommelier.
And finally, finally, the last, but certainly not least, Hilton Maldive’s most entrancing offering…
Ithaa (cue: echo effect) thaa thaa thaa thaa… the world’s one and only aquarium-style underwater restaurant. The blurb on it reads: “Set five metres underwater on a coral reef, Ithaa’s innovative glass aquarium design gives diners 360-degree views of the surrounding reef life, while offering an exciting and novel fusion Maldivian-western menu. Ithaa, which means ‘pearl’ in the local language, promises a unique dining experience, with humans inside the aquarium and the fish looking in.”
Ready or not, here we go…
So you emerge from the stairwell to this stunning view…
Yes, the fishies really swim above and all around you while you dine away… isn’t that mind-blowing?!?
Can you imagine a table here? Well, you might first want to conceive the US$500 it costs for a dinner for two here, drinks not included. And as you can see, at any one time, the restaurant seats up to a maximum of 12 guests only. In fact, it’s so exclusive that it’s a treat even for us staff to visit, I won’t be surprised that this trip during Orientation may be the one and only time some team members get to see this place. But seriously, if any of you do get the chance to visit; this is one place that you DEFINITELY can’t miss! It is simply out of this world.
And with that, we come to the end of our resort walkabout, as well as our Orientation training. As a last exercise to boost team-building, Robert got each team member to draw a picture representing their past, present and future, and here’s my work of art:
What what what? Eh… got concept okay?! I have likened my life to an onion, peeling away at each layer to reveal the future. Actually should be peeling away the layers to reveal the core hor? Aiyah, anyway something like that lah! What’s important is that I put love into creating this. Ok, that’s it for now. This blog already so long, really 口水多过茶!