Sheraton Incheon in Songdo Opens Saturday
By Kwon Mee-yoo
Staff Reporter
Just days before its grand opening, staffers were busy bringing plants into the lobby of a new hotel, and a man was putting the final touches on preparations for the guests. The 40-year-old man, Alain Rigodin, general manager of the brand-new Sheraton Incheon Hotel in the Songdo International Business District (IBD), said, ``I can't wait to meet our guests and get feedback from them.''
Rigodin arrived in Korea about a year ago to lead preparations for the opening of the first luxury hotel in the Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ). The general managers are typically the last of a hotel's crew to be recruited, but in this case, Rigodin was the first to arrive.
According to him, there were ``no roads or trees'' when he first arrived in the new town. ``I had to be able to envision and I needed a lot of imagination,'' said Rigodin. The area was developed rapidly and now Sheraton Incheon Hotel awaits its opening Saturday.
The opening-specialist began his career in the hospitality business as a chef. His specialties covered everything from pastries to fine dining, but he decided to change direction after 10 years in the kitchen. ``I did not see myself being told what to do in the kitchen as a 45 year old,'' said Rigodin. ``I like to lead people and open my own, new places.''
Five years ago, before coming to Korea, he opened the Sheraton Hanoi Hotel. He has also participated in the opening of other hotels and resorts in Taiwan and Bali, as a food and beverage manager and an executive sous chef, respectively. ``Opening is exciting. You leave a footprint in the new hotel whatever post you are in,'' he said.
Man of Details
After working in Southeast Asia for some 17 years, he wanted to work in North Asia and decided to come to Korea. He said Korea was efficient and modern. ``I think Korea should be a bit more open to tourism. There are so many things to see in Korea, such as Jeju Island, but foreigners do not know about that,'' Rigodin suggested.
He explained that opening a hotel is quite different from managing an existing hotel. ``Opening is starting everything. You have to look at every single component of the hotel; the menu design, kitchen layout, restaurant concept, uniform designs, lighting, background music, plants and fabric selection,'' the general manager said. ``You really can't miss a single section because it will impair the overall mood. Everything that touches the guest is important because what we want to give them is an `experience.''
As a self-proclaimed ``man of detail,'' he checks every nook and cranny of the preparation process in person. ``This is why I'm losing my hair, but I love opening,'' he smiled.
Rigodin thinks the most important thing in preparing a hotel launching is recruitment ― identifying the right people. ``Whether it is a big hotel, small hotel or resort, if it doesn't have the right people with the right attitude, I don't think you can succeed,'' he said. He interviewed every single member of his staff personally, with some having to go through four interviews. No exceptions were made for applicants who had worked with him before. ``This is a very good recipe for success,'' he added.
Located in the heart of Songdo, the Sheraton Incheon Hotel is business-targeted and also expects to draw honeymoon guests on weekends. Songdo Convensia, the convention center, is adjacent to the hotel. Additionally the hotel awaits the opening of the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club next year. The Incheon Grand Bridge connecting the IFEZ and the Incheon International Airport will open in October, increasing accessibility.
``Our signature facility is the LINK, which offers complimentary Internet connection to all guests and visitors of the hotel,'' Rigodin said. ``The hotel is also the first fully non-smoking hotel in Korea and Sheraton Asia.''
Aiming to be the leading hotel in Korea, Rigodin wants to bring something different and become a model in the hospitality business. ``The future is definitely here,'' he said confidently. ``I know it is going to be the talk of Asia.''