Juergen Kreipl

General Manager

“Positivity is where we all thrive. When the work environment is infused with positivity, that feeling cascades through all interactions – between team members, as well as with guests.”

Four Seasons Tenure

Since 2023
First Four Seasons Assignment: current

Employment History

InterContinental Geneva & Crowne Plaza Geneva, Switzerland; InterContinental Beijing, China; InterContinental Shanghai, China; Wanda Vista, China; Compass Hospitality Ltd. Bangkok, Thailand; Vinpearl Resort & Spa, Nha Trang, Vietnam; Surin Beach Resort & Kamala Bay Garden Resort, Phuket, Thailand; Phuket Orchid Resort, Phuket, Thailand; Pathumwan Princess Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand; Le Meridien, Kuwait; Four Opera Houses, Berlin, Germany; Berlin Estrel Hotel & Congress Centre, Germany; Rome Cavalieri – A Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Italy; Hilton, Colombo, Sri Lanka; Munich Sheraton, Germany; Munich Park Hilton, Germany

Education

Technical School for Design, Munich, Germany; Simon Knoll Hotel School, Munich, Germany; International University Rome, Rome, Italy

Birthplace

Munich, Germany

Languages Spoken

German, English, Italian, Thai

A seasoned hotelier with more than thirty years of experience in global luxury hospitality, Juergen Kreipl brings to his current role a drive for excellence and a flair for creativity. Over an illustrious career spanning premier destinations such as Berlin, Kuwait, Bangkok, Shanghai and most recently Geneva, Juergen has developed a well-honed approach centred around treating every single guest with the highest level of care and attention.

“Our vision is to continue being the ultimate destination in Jakarta for discerning travellers seeking meticulous, personalized luxury,” he says. “At the same time, we are deepening our links with the local community in meaningful ways, with the goal of being a social and cultural hub for Jakarta’s residents and expatriates.”

Indeed, Juergen and his team are on a mission to build further on the Hotel’s stellar reputation through newly energized programming, inspired by the vibrant energy of Indonesia’s capital. Take, for instance, the elevation of the long-standing partnership between Four Seasons and Museum MACAN (Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Nusantara), which has innovatively combined contemporary art, music and mixology into a set of exciting, interactive offerings for guests.

Growing up in the suburbs of Munich, Juergen was immersed in the traditions of hospitality from an early age. Helping out at his family’s restaurant, he learned the value of building personal relationships with guests, a lesson that has held him in good stead for decades now. Interestingly, he initially gravitated towards a career in engineering – “in my previous life,” as he quips – until a chance encounter brought him up-close with the world of luxury hotels.

The connection was instantaneous, inspiring Juergen to pivot and strike out in an entirely new professional direction. After graduating from the German Hotel School, he honed his skills at top-tier hotels in Munich, Colombo, Rome and Berlin, including a memorable stint as executive manager of the four main opera houses in Berlin. He then gained valuable experience as director of food and beverage at premier properties in Bangkok and Kuwait before landing his first general manager role at a resort in Phuket.

From 2012 to 2015, he led the pre-opening of three luxury hotels in China, followed by a rewarding eight-year tenure across China and Switzerland with InterContinental Hotels & Resorts. Most recently, he served as general manager of the brand’s acclaimed “diplomatic hotel” in Geneva, where his team hosted US President Joe Biden for an official state visit. The stay concluded with a personal thank-you note from President Biden to Juergen, an act he cherishes as an excellent example of Four Seasons Golden Rule – “to treat others as you wish to be treated.”

Juergen’s extensive experience across diverse cultures has sharpened his innate adaptability and open-mindedness. “Each culture has its unique norms, values and ways of doing things,” he says, adding that appreciating these differences can help foster mutual understanding and harness new opportunities.

When it comes to leadership, this General Manager sees himself less as a “general” and more as a motivator, entrepreneur and guide: “Positivity is where we all thrive. When the work environment is infused with positivity, that feeling cascades through all interactions – between team members, as well as with guests. It is a true delight to witness the actions that arise from such a mindset.”

When he is not at work, Juergen enjoys playing tennis (“to stay fit”) and practicing yoga (“to stay sane”). His love of contemporary art leads him to galleries near and far, while his background in engineering forms the basis of a long-standing appreciation for noteworthy architecture. Most of all, he loves to absorb local culture in incognito mode – bicycling down quiet streets, wandering through lively markets, and simply enjoying the genuine warmth and friendliness of residents.