Sunday, December 7, 2025

Thomas Glaser, Common Supervisor of The Westin Jakarta on Management and the Way forward for City Hospitality

Perched atop Gama Tower, The Westin Jakarta stands as an icon of up to date hospitality, providing sweeping 360° views of the town skyline. Located alongside Jalan Rasuna Mentioned within the Golden Triangle — the capital’s bustling enterprise, business and buying hub — the 5-star property presents unparalleled entry to Jakarta’s most dynamic points of interest. Inside its hovering areas, friends uncover an entire wellness and way of life vacation spot. These facilities embrace a devoted wellness flooring, the Heavenly Spa by Westin, elegant occasion venues together with a grand ballroom, and acclaimed eating experiences resembling Seasonal Tastes, Henshin, Each day Treats and the Champagne Lounge.

On the helm is Thomas Glaser, Common Supervisor of The Westin Jakarta, whose management continued to form the property as considered one of Indonesia’s most recognisable luxurious enterprise accommodations. Beneath his management, the resort has not solely maintained its repute for excellence but additionally strengthened its place as a benchmark for contemporary hospitality in Southeast Asia. In dialog with LUXUO, Glaser discusses the evolving definition of luxurious, how The Westin Jakarta continues to fulfill the wants of right now’s discerning travellers and the ideas that information his management in an more and more aggressive market.

Since its launch, The Westin Jakarta has efficiently established itself as a favorite with travellers to the Indonesian capital. Which components contributed to this success? 

The Westin Jakarta’s success is deeply rooted within the power of its folks and the spirit of the model. From the second friends arrive, they’re welcomed by a staff that genuinely cares — professionals who embody hospitality with heat, attentiveness, and delight. Our associates are the heartbeat of the resort, persistently delivering considerate service that transforms a keep right into a memorable expertise.

As a part of the globally trusted Westin model, we provide greater than only a place to remain — we offer a sanctuary the place wellness, consolation, and purposeful design come collectively. Nestled in considered one of Jakarta’s tallest buildings, The Westin Jakarta presents breathtaking views and a way of serenity above the town’s vibrant power. However it’s our dedication to serving to friends really feel their finest — bodily, mentally, and emotionally — that really units us aside. Whether or not it’s by means of our signature wellness applications, nourishing delicacies, or intuitive service, we purpose to create an area the place vacationers really feel not simply welcomed, however genuinely cared for.

“At The Westin Jakarta, we don’t simply supply a room — we provide renewal. Our staff is obsessed with creating moments that matter, as a result of true hospitality begins with coronary heart.

How is The Westin Jakarta adapting to the evolving expectations of luxurious travellers in Asia? What does luxurious really imply to right now’s traveler?

Increasingly more, friends are wanting past lavish aesthetics and turning towards experiences that really feel genuine, purposeful, and centered on their well-being. At The Westin Jakarta, we’ve embraced this evolution by creating stays that mirror our core values: Private, Instinctive, and Renewal.

We consider luxurious is private — it’s about tuning into every visitor’s rhythm and creating moments that really feel pure and significant. Our service is heat, intuitive, and designed to make each interplay really feel easy.

Our dedication to well-being is mirrored in every little thing we do. From the Heavenly® Mattress that promotes deep, restful sleep, to our Heavenly Spa by Westin, WestinWORKOUT® Health Studio, and indoor pool with panoramic views, we provide a sanctuary for each physique and thoughts. Friends may take pleasure in private coaching classes, Pilates lessons, and nutrient-rich Eat Nicely menu choices — simply to call a number of — all designed to help a balanced way of life, even whereas on the transfer.

We proceed to evolve by integrating sensible expertise that enhances consolation, curating domestically impressed experiences, and designing areas that invite each productiveness and pause.

Inform us concerning the totally different rooms and suites which could be booked at The Westin Jakarta? 

At The Westin Jakarta, we provide a wide range of lodging designed to fulfill the wants of each visitor — from solo vacationers and {couples} to households and long-stay guests. Whether or not it’s a spacious visitor room with a King mattress, a double Queen configuration for added consolation, or a collection that includes a eating and kitchen space, every area is thoughtfully designed to help purposeful journey.

All rooms and suites function floor-to-ceiling home windows, providing sweeping views of Jakarta’s skyline and creating a way of openness and calm. The interiors mirror Westin’s dedication to well-being, with pure tones, intuitive layouts, and signature facilities just like the Heavenly® Mattress and Heavenly® Tub, making certain each keep is each stress-free and restorative.

Greater than only a place to sleep, our lodging are crafted to assist friends really feel balanced, targeted, and relaxed — whether or not they’re working, unwinding, or just having fun with the second.

You’ve labored throughout key places in Asia: Bangkok, Koh Samui, Bandung and now Jakarta. What are among the most fascinating classes every posting has taught you?

My journey throughout Asia has been each professionally enriching and personally transformative. Coming from Germany, with expertise within the US and Europe, working in Southeast Asia required me to evolve — not simply in how I lead, however in how I join. Every vacation spot taught me one thing totally different.

Bangkok uncovered me to a fast-paced and extremely aggressive atmosphere, the place agility was key to success. Koh Samui provided a deeper understanding of emotional hospitality in a resort setting. Bandung highlighted the significance of neighborhood and cultural authenticity. And Jakarta continues to problem and encourage me with its power, complexity, and ambition.

What I’ve realized above all is the worth of adaptability. Working in Southeast Asia means embracing numerous traditions, work cultures, and personalities. It’s about listening extra, understanding native nuances, and creating a management model that’s inclusive, respectful, and empowering.

Over time, Southeast Asia has develop into greater than only a workplace — it’s develop into house. I really feel deeply related to the area, each professionally and personally, and I’m grateful to share this journey with my Thai spouse, whose tradition and perspective proceed to complement my very own.

As a Common Supervisor, what’s the very first thing you discover whenever you enter a resort, and which particulars do you pay explicit consideration to?

The second I step right into a resort, I instantly get a way of the power within the area — how the staff engages with friends, how the atmosphere feels, and whether or not the expertise flows naturally. For me, it at all times begins with folks: their presence, grooming, confidence, and the way they work together with friends and with one another. That human connection is the heartbeat of hospitality.

I additionally pay shut consideration to the product — the cleanliness, the upkeep, and the general situation of the area. These particulars communicate volumes about delight, consistency, and the tradition of care inside the staff. Then there’s the service — how real the visitor journey is, from arrival to departure. If the staff is engaged and the service circulate is seamless, it signifies a powerful sense of belonging. It reveals that the administration is invested in coaching and constantly upskilling their associates.

Certainly one of my favourite issues to do is just sit within the public areas — whether or not it’s the foyer, a café, or the restaurant — and observe. When folks don’t know who you’re, you get an unfiltered view of how the resort really operates. It’s in these unscripted moments that you just see the authenticity of the service, the rhythm of the staff, and the real environment we attempt to create for each visitor.

How do you keep constant service requirements on the property?

Consistency in service begins with readability — making certain each staff member understands what excellence seems like and the way their function contributes to delivering it. At The Westin Jakarta, we give attention to constructing a powerful service tradition rooted in our model values and native hospitality traditions.

We spend money on coaching and growth, not simply throughout onboarding however as an ongoing journey. Common teaching, upskilling classes, and cross-training assist our associates keep agile, assured, and aligned with our service expectations.

Equally essential is communication. We keep open, clear dialogue throughout all ranges of the group. Flat hierarchies and each day briefings make sure that everyone seems to be knowledgeable, empowered, and capable of contribute concepts or elevate considerations. This creates a way of possession and accountability.

We additionally depend on visitor suggestions and inner audits to observe efficiency and determine areas for enchancment. In the end, consistency comes from tradition. When folks really feel valued, trusted, and related to a shared goal, nice service turns into second nature.

What can guests to The Westin Jakarta count on when it comes to eating experiences?

At The Westin Jakarta, eating is greater than only a meal — it’s a curated expertise that blends world flavors with native authenticity, crafted by a staff of passionate culinary consultants.

Our friends can sit up for distinctive culinary highlights led by our specialty cooks:

  • Chef Nandan Ghosh brings the daring, fragrant flavors of Indian delicacies.
  • Chef Loh Yun Fatt presents refined Chinese language specialties.
  • Chef Akira Oshita presents a novel Nikkei expertise, fusing Japanese and Peruvian influences.
  • Chef Chiko Fonia and his kitchen brigade showcase the richness of Indonesian delicacies with creativity and coronary heart.

Our thoughtfully designed F&B retailers cater to a variety of tastes and events:

Seasonal Tastes: A vibrant all-day eating venue that includes stay cooking stations, all kinds of worldwide dishes, and wholesome choices impressed by the Westin Eat Nicely program — together with contemporary herbs and greens from our personal hydroponic backyard.

Each day Treats: An ethereal, welcoming café providing premium espresso, tea, and matcha, alongside a number of candy and savory delights — excellent for informal conferences or a quiet second to recharge.

Champagne Lounge: A complicated area to unwind after a protracted day, with basic drinks and panoramic views of Jakarta’s glittering skyline.

Henshin – Bar & Restaurant: Situated on the highest flooring, Henshin presents an elevated Nikkei eating and nightlife expertise, combining daring flavors with breathtaking views and a vibrant environment.

Inform us concerning the vibrant rooftop bar at The Westin Jakarta, an actual gem in Jakarta!

Situated atop The Westin Jakarta, Henshin is greater than a rooftop bar — it’s a journey of transformation, true to its title which suggests “transformation” in Japanese.

Because the crown jewel of the resort’s culinary scene, Henshin has carved out its personal id as a vacation spot venue — a spot the place Jakarta’s vibrant power meets elevated class. Whether or not you’re sipping a signature cocktail crafted by professional mixologists or savoring the daring flavors of Nikkei delicacies, each second at Henshin is designed to awaken the senses.

The rooftop bar pulses with life, providing panoramic views of the town paired with curated beats from resident DJs. It’s an area the place locals and vacationers alike collect to rejoice, join, and unwind.

Upstairs, the Peruvian-Japanese restaurant is helmed by Chef Akira, whose mastery of Nikkei delicacies brings a refined but adventurous spirit to the desk. His menu blends the fragile precision of Japanese method with the fiery soul of Peruvian substances. Signature dishes like ceviche, tartare de atún, and Wagyu beef showcase daring flavors, contemporary substances, and a culinary philosophy rooted in transformation and discovery.

Each element at Henshin — from its hanging structure to its vibrant ambiance — is designed to captivate and encourage, making it considered one of Jakarta’s most iconic culinary locations.

How essential is sustainability in your culinary method and the way will you mirror this throughout the resort’s eating venues?

Sustainability isn’t only a pattern at our eating venues — it’s a tenet. Throughout the resort, we’re dedicated to creating experiences that aren’t solely scrumptious but additionally accountable and future-focused. At Seasonal Tastes, our hydroponic backyard is a residing image of this dedication. It permits us to develop contemporary herbs and greens on-site, lowering our carbon footprint whereas making certain peak taste and vitamin.

We additionally prioritize domestically sourced substances, working carefully with licensed companions throughout Indonesia to usher in the freshest seafood, fish, and occasional. Our menus function cage-free eggs, reflecting our dedication to animal welfare and clear, lean meals choices. This method helps native communities, ensures high quality, and permits us to supply dishes which might be each healthful and ethically sourced.

By specializing in traceability, freshness, and moral sourcing, we’re not solely elevating the eating expertise — we’re additionally contributing to a extra sustainable future for Jakarta’s culinary scene.

Inform us extra concerning the spa & wellness services at The Westin Jakarta? 

Wellness is a central pillar of the visitor expertise at The Westin Jakarta, thoughtfully built-in into each side of the keep. The devoted wellness flooring on the 50th stage presents a sanctuary above the town — a spot to recharge, restore, and reconnect.

On the coronary heart of this area is the Heavenly Spa by Westin, the place signature remedies are designed to appease each physique and thoughts. From therapeutic massages to revitalising facials, each expertise is crafted to advertise renewal and stability.

For many who thrive on motion, the WestinWORKOUT® Health Studio offers state-of-the-art gear and galvanizing skyline views. Friends may ebook classes with considered one of our three licensed private trainers, who supply tailor-made steering to assist obtain particular person health objectives. As well as, we host common Pilates and Yoga classes, creating alternatives for aware motion and holistic well-being.

The wellness flooring additionally options an indoor swimming pool, a serene area for laps or leisure, complemented by a sauna, steam room, and a Vitality Pool — all designed to reinforce circulation, detoxify, and promote deep leisure. Whether or not you’re beginning your day with a dawn swim or winding down with a spa ritual, the wellness expertise at The Westin Jakarta is instinctively restorative, private and elevated.

What’s your imaginative and prescient for the way forward for The Westin Jakarta over the following few years?

Wanting forward, my imaginative and prescient for The Westin Jakarta is evident: to place the resort not solely as a beacon of hospitality excellence however as a real Westin model ambassador in Southeast Asia — a property that absolutely embodies the model’s pillars of private well-being, instinctive service, and renewal.

A prime precedence is to develop into the perfect employer within the metropolis. Meaning constructing a high-performance, dynamic, and interesting staff tradition the place associates really feel empowered, impressed, and proud to contribute. We’re investing in management growth, recognition applications, and a office atmosphere that celebrates range, creativity, and collaboration.

On the culinary entrance, we purpose to outline and reposition our meals and beverage retailers to mirror each world developments and native authenticity. Every venue can have a definite id, elevated storytelling, and a transparent worth proposition — whether or not it’s vacation spot eating, wellness-focused menus, or vibrant social experiences. Sustainability, innovation, and guest-centricity will information each determination.

In the end, The Westin Jakarta will proceed to evolve as a spot the place friends really feel higher once they go away than once they arrived — and the place our staff feels proud to form that journey each day.

What makes a resort keep an unforgettable expertise?

An unforgettable resort keep is crafted by means of a considerate mix of personalization, service excellence, and innovation. It begins with really understanding your visitor — understanding their preferences, anticipating their wants, and creating moments that really feel uniquely tailor-made to them.

Delivering curated experiences that align with the model’s id is vital. Whether or not it’s a wellness-focused keep, a culinary journey, or a cultural immersion, the expertise ought to really feel intentional and related to the visitor’s goal of journey.

Equally essential is invisible but attentive service — being current with out being intrusive. When service flows naturally and seamlessly, it creates a way of ease and luxury that friends keep in mind lengthy after they go away. Participating employees make all of the distinction. Real heat, genuine interactions, and a ardour for hospitality can flip a great keep into a fantastic one.

Lastly, sensible, state-of-the-art expertise enhances the expertise by providing comfort and personalisation — from cellular check-ins to in-room controls and curated digital content material. When expertise helps, reasonably than replaces, the human contact, it elevates your entire visitor journey.

The Westin Jakarta is a part of the Marriott Bonvoy community. What sort of worth does this convey to the property?

Being a part of the Marriott Bonvoy community brings great worth to The Westin Jakarta, each in attain and in visitor expertise.

First, there’s the ability of the community impact — with Marriott’s world footprint, we’re related to just about each key supply market around the globe. This permits us to welcome a various mixture of vacationers who already know and belief the model.

Second, loyalty performs a pivotal function. Marriott Bonvoy members convey with them a wealth of insights by means of their visitor profiles, permitting us to personalize their keep primarily based on previous preferences and behaviors. This helps us ship a extra tailor-made, seamless expertise from the second they arrive.

Lastly, unique member advantages resembling complimentary nights, room upgrades, and Govt Lounge entry add significant worth to our friends’ stays. These perks not solely improve satisfaction but additionally foster long-term loyalty.

In essence, Marriott Bonvoy strengthens our capacity to ship constant, high-quality service whereas providing friends the popularity and rewards they worth most.

How do you see the hospitality business evolving within the subsequent few years?

The way forward for hospitality is being formed by three key pillars: the human contact, revolutionary applied sciences, and sustainable practices. The human connection will at all times be on the core of our business. Regardless of how superior expertise turns into, it’s the heat, empathy, and attentiveness of our folks that create really memorable visitor experiences.

On the similar time, innovation is remodeling how we function. From customized digital journeys to seamless, contactless providers, expertise helps us improve comfort whereas permitting our groups to focus extra on significant interactions.

Sustainability is one other space that continues to encourage. As vacationers develop into extra aware of their affect, we’ve got a duty to steer with goal — whether or not by means of lowering our environmental footprint, supporting native communities, or selling wellness and aware journey.

Collectively, these three pillars are redefining what it means to ship distinctive hospitality — mixing care, creativity, and conscience into each visitor expertise.

For extra data on The Westin Jakarta, click on the hyperlink right here.

For extra unique interviews on luxurious journey and accommodations, click on right here.

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