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At this time of late autumn season, it’s getting cold in Shanghai already. Dazzling lights and bustling people on the streets reveal the unique glamour of the night in Shanghai. Warm lights give a dynamic tribute to the city, where hotels’ French windows reflect the rosy faces of people, excited or tipsy. To most people, hotels are no longer just a place to rest, they have become a luxurious refuge.

Almost every renowned international hotel brand can be found in Shanghai, however, we can’t help to take a closer look at a hotel which remains its great success. After changing from an international hotel brand to an owner operated independent hotel the property continues to surpass service standards and has the results to match. How does the leader at the helm make the hotel stand out among all the international hotels in Shanghai?

The Longemont Shanghai, one of the luxury five star hotels in Shanghai, is under the leadership of its General Manager, Mr. Udo Doring, who has more than 40 years experience in the hospitality industry. He was confident yet humbled when asked about his great achievement today, “our goal is client satisfaction. A happy guest is a returning guest.” His understatement of the efforts he makes is simply enough to tell the secret of success. A veteran of the international hospitality industry, Mr. Udo Doring has worked throughout Europe and Asia, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Australia, Vietnam and China. After decades of managerial experience from leading international hotels such as Accor, Beaufort International Hotels, IHG and Marco Polo Hotels, Mr. Doring has brought to the Longemont Shanghai a wealth of knowledge and know-how that has been instrumental in leading one of Asia's top luxury hotels. Since he took office at the Longemont in 2008, he has run the independent hotel and worked directly with the owner. Unlike working for hotel management groups, what we do is focus on doing things in our own way or the way we feel they should be done, which has very much paid off with the hotel.

The key factor in management is that every team member is devoted to the pursuit of a better brand. In the Longemont Shanghai, the staff all work together like a big family and all share the same motivations of greater potential for the hotel. Mr. Udo Doring values the communication with the staff, he said, “we don’t have different staff training methods, we simply pay attention to the details, including the implementation. If a guest returns to our hotel again and speaks highly of our service, it means that our management is driving the team in the right direction.” Gaining experience hands on, Mr. Udo Doring inspires his staffs and the hotel with his energy and wisdom.

Born in Germany, and having lived and worked in many countries and cities during his career in the hospitality industry for over 40 years, Mr. Udo Doring still keeps his virtue as a German: preciseness and passion. His rich experience, strong ambition and courage enabled him to take on the heavy responsibilities and unknown challenges. Looking back to the early days in China, it was the people he met that impressed him deeply, even the memories of the passers by had enriched his life and brought inspiration to how to boost people’s enthusiasm and to improve his management from every single detail. 

The success of a hotel requires much more than efficient management, the hardware is also a key factor of a hotel. Rising over Yan An West Road with stunning views, the 53-storey Longemont hotel is within easy access to the central business and shopping districts of Shanghai. Featuring magnificent architectural design, perfect location and outstanding service quality, the contemporary yet classic hotel boasts 511 luxurious rooms and suites, functional work areas, large 42-inch plasma TV screens, iPod docking stations, high-speed Internet access and spacious bathrooms with oversized designer baths. All guestrooms have stunning views over the city’s striking skyline.

In particular, the Longemont Shanghai offers the largest meeting space in Shanghai’s Puxi Area with 1,900 square meters of combined banquet and meeting space, including a 928 sqm Grand Ballroom which can accommodate up to 1,200 guests, a boardroom and nine multi-function meeting rooms. The contemporary and imposing Grand Ballroom features a bespoke design showcasing both Oriental and international influences with the masterly use of bold colors. For smaller events, the hotel’s nine function rooms, sized 40 to 72sqm, can cater for groups up to 150 people. For an intimate meeting or function, the exclusive Boardroom caters for 20 people or less. The diversity of the conference facilities shows the signature Longemont professionalism through every detail.

Among the long list of cities where Mr. Udo Doring has worked, Shanghai is special for the diversity of the people here and their cultural backgrounds, as well as various demand from different business travelers. The Longemont Shanghai hosts a wide array of exquisite cuisines served in pleasant atmosphere and beautiful surroundings. O²on2 all-day-dining restaurant offers the choice of a buffet and a la carte menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. For a more sophisticated alternative, there is also the Italian boutique restaurant Amici providing authentic traditional Italian cuisine. Royal China serves Cantonese cuisine and Tenya, the Japanese restaurant offers tuna specialty. The Lobby Lounge and Cigar Bar offer guests a much welcomed place to relax at the end of a hectic day. Besides, guests can also enjoy some of Shanghai’s best leisure facilities at the hotel: two outdoor tennis courts, a 30-metre indoor heated swimming pool, a well-equipped gym and spa. The wide selection of restaurants and bars plus the well established entertainment facilities bring ultimate satisfaction and delights to the guests.

As an integrated hotel that meets the demand of shopping, recreation and business trips, the Longemont Shanghai, led by Mr. Udo Doring who has an obvious insight in to the hospitality and service industry, will certainly contribute more profound value to the Longemont brand and push this Chinese hotel brand to new heights.

   环视秋末的上海，已是阵阵寒意，行色匆匆的路人，华灯初放，即将绽放夜上海独特的魅力。此刻温暖的灯光将这座城市装点得格外动人，酒店的落地窗映着人们微红的双颊，微醺还醒。在现代人的脑海中，酒店已然不仅是一个住宿之所，越来越多的被定义为奢华，享受，惬意并带有自己的品牌文化。

   悉数上海的酒店品牌，凡是稍有名气的国际品牌在这里都能找到，而如果一家酒店原先是国际品牌，现在是中国自己的品牌，但都一如既往成功，那么我们就不得不去探究一下，究竟这个酒店的掌舵人是怎么管理这家酒店使其林立在众多国际品牌中傲视群雄的呢？

   上海龙之梦大酒店是本市豪华五星级酒店之一，而她的总经理杜郎宁先生拥有非常丰富的酒店管理经验，面对今天的成就，他谦虚的说：“我们的宗旨就是让顾客满意，如果他在酒店的经历是快乐的，那么他一定会再回来的。”轻描淡写了他所付出的努力但又清楚的表述了成功的真谛。杜总曾经为多家国际酒店管理集团工作过，包括雅高、洲际以及马哥波罗。足迹遍布越南、印尼、马来西亚、澳大利亚以及中国的厦门、广州等地。正是因为这些经验让他可以更好的将国际化酒店管理模式融入中国品牌酒店，取其精华，去其糟粕。2008年开始执掌上海来龙之梦大酒店，对于他来说这个经历不同于以前供职于酒店管理方，现在他直接为业主工作，很多时候可以更好的将自己的想法贯彻实施，而且效果都非常的显著。

   管理的关键在于员工都致力于将这个品牌做得更好，在上海龙之梦大酒店，员工们就像生活在一个大家庭中，所有人的动机都是酒店可以朝着更好的方向发展。杜总非常注重和员工的交流，他说：“其实对于培训员工我也没有非常特别的方式，就是注重很多的细节，包括客人来时各个部门接待的情况，当客人下次依然会选择我们并且对我们作出高度评价的时候，那就说明我们的管理方式是正确的。”实践出真知在杜总身上体现的淋漓尽致，他用切身的经验给酒店注入智慧为员工注入能量。

   杜总出生在德国，在40多年的酒店工作中，虽然游历的众多的国家和城市，他依然带着德国人的特质——严谨，热诚。同时他也是充满野心和勇气的，面对繁重的工作和未知的挑战，只有一个兼具经验和开拓精神的人才可以如此完美的承担。在回忆来到中国的这段时间，最让他感慨的是他所碰到的形形色色的人。虽然有的只是匆匆过客，但他都会时不时的回忆起一些片段。这些过往都让他的生活日渐丰富，也在和人的沟通中收获了很多，如何激发人们心中的热情、如何触动每一根细微的神经去帮助他的管理工作。

   酒店的成功不仅仅在于管理方式，还有一个很重要的原因就是酒店的硬件设施，上海龙之梦大酒店座落于延安西路，毗邻市中心商业区，周边交通便捷。拥有盛大高贵的建筑设计、绝佳的地理位置和高标准的服务设施，高达53层的壮观建筑拥有511间精心设计的豪华客房和套房，处处体现着现代与经典的完美融合。独特的建筑设计保证了每一间客房都能欣赏到绚丽的城市景观，房内专业的商务空间，42英寸超大等离子电视，iPod音响系统，高速互联网接入以及宽阔舒适的卫浴空间。

   值得一提的是，酒店还拥有上海浦西地区最大的会议及宴会场地，高达一千九百平方米的会议及宴会区域，其中包括一个可以容纳1200人的928平方米的超大宴会厅和一个会议室以及9个设备完善的多功能会议厅。灵活满足各项会晤和活动的需求。恢弘的建筑特色完美的融合了东方韵味和国际元素，大胆的用色和巧妙的设计处理相得益彰。9个多功能会议厅大小从40平米到72平米不等，以满足不同会议的需求，如果客人需要做私密的会谈，酒店还可以提供容纳20人左右的小型会议室，应有尽有的会议宴会设施让人嗔目结舌。