(Singapore, 9 October 2024) Shangri-La Singapore is pleased to announce the executive appointment of Mr. Stephan Kapek as its new Vice President Operations and General Manager. Bringing over 30 years of extensive international experience in the luxury hospitality, Mr. Kapek joins the iconic flagship Shangri-La property with an outstanding track record of leadership and a deep understanding of global hospitality trends. His appointment underscores the Shangri-La Group’s unwavering commitment to delivering excellence in guest experience, innovation, and operational leadership as it strives to be the best loved hospitality group.
Shangri-La Singapore, the brand’s first hotel globally, features 792 guestrooms and suites across three distinctive wings, set amidst 15 acres of lush tropical gardens in the heart of Singapore. Mr. Kapek’s wealth of experience and visionary leadership will guide the hotel as it continues to cater to the evolving needs of luxury travelers, reinforcing its position as a leading luxury destination in Singapore.
No stranger to the Shangri-La Group, Mr. Kapek has spent nearly 20 years in leadership roles within the group, managing hotels and resorts across multiple destinations. In his most recent position as Vice President Operations at Shangri-La’s China World Trade Center hotels, he led the three hotels through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. His leadership was critical in ensuring the safety of guests and colleagues, while maintaining operational continuity during a volatile period. At its helm, Mr. Kapek implemented agile strategies that pivoted the hotel to swiftly adapt to new travel landscapes and spearheaded recovery initiatives as global travel restrictions eased.
Throughout his career, Mr. Kapek has worked in Mainland China, the Philippines, the United Arab Emirates and Europe, gaining diverse international experience that has honed his ability to adapt and excel in varied cultural and business settings. He has consistently demonstrated a talent for optimizing hotel performance, nurturing talent, and driving innovation – qualities that will be invaluable as he leads Shangri-La Singapore into its next phase of growth.
Expressing his excitement about the new role, Mr. Kapek said, “It is a privilege to join the iconic Shangri-La Singapore, a hotel renowned for its legacy of luxury and service excellence. Singapore is a vibrant and dynamic city, and I am eager to work alongside an exceptional team to further enhance the experiences we offer our guests. Together, we will continue to pioneer new horizons, set new benchmarks in hospitality and catering to the evolving needs of modern travellers. I am committed to creating unforgettable memories for our guests and ensure that every stay is a seamless blend of comfort, elegance, and heartfelt hospitality which have become synonymous with the Shangri-La brand.”
Mr. Kapek will oversee all aspects of the hotel’s operations, including Shangri-La Apartments and Residences. Known for his commitment to operational excellence, business acumen, and guest-centric innovation, Mr. Kapek’s leadership will play a pivotal role in driving commercial growth in new and emerging markets; inspiring transformative initiatives and maintaining Shangri-La Singapore’s reputation for personalized service excellence, luxury family experiences, and vibrant dining concepts. His forward-thinking approach is aligned with the hotel’s mission to deliver its signature heartfelt hospitality and continues to meet the needs of both leisure and business travelers in today’s competitive luxury market.
“At Shangri-La, we are obsessed over customer experience. Through thoughtful touchpoints, personalized services, and vibrant offerings, we invite our guests to discover their own Shangri-La with us.” Mr. Kapek added. I look forward to working with the team to bring this vision to life as we embrace a new era and the future of travel.”