Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta

Four Seasons Tenure

• Since 2016
• First Four Seasons Assignment: Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta (previous property)

Employment History

• The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain; Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok; Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta; Harris Hotel and Convention Bandung, Indonesia; The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta, Pacific Place, Indonesia; Grand Hyatt Erawan, Bangkok, Thailand; Du Golf Hotel Montreaux, Switzerland 

Education

• Diploma in Hospitality Management Degree from Swiss Hotel Management School, Les Roches, Switzerland

Birthplace

• Jogjakarta, Indonesia

Languages Spoken

• Bahasa, French and English

For Ika Pranoto, going the extra mile is a given; it’s part and parcel of creating extraordinary experiences for guests. “I believe nothing is impossible. If we are willing, we can almost always find a way to turn our guest’s dream into reality,” he says. “When a guest asks, ‘Can we do this?’ I ask, ‘Why can’t we?’”

Hospitality runs in Ika’s blood: his father spent his career with Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism, giving him a behind-the-scenes insight into travel and tourism. After graduating from the Swiss Hotel Management School in Les Roches, Switzerland, Ika began his career with a renowned five-star property in Bangkok. In 2005 and 2007, he was part of the preopening teams for two luxury hotels in Jakarta, following which he was promoted to assistant director of catering sales.

In 2012, he joined the previous Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta, where he worked until the property closed. He was then appointed to a task force entrusted with winding down the old Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok, followed by a move to a top-tier hotel in Bahrain. In 2016, Ika returned to Indonesia — and to Four Seasons. Joining the opening team for the new Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta as Director of Catering and Conference Services, he has played a crucial role in establishing the Hotel as the premier urban retreat in Indonesia.

Now, in a dual role that encompasses two different divisions, Ika is living his dream. His genuine desire to surprise and delight guests shines through in vital ways, from his meticulous attention to detail to his above-and-beyond attitude. Plus, his strong background in sales and marketing enables him to see the bigger picture, bridging strategy, revenue and operations.

This multi-dimensional approach is also at the heart of Ika’s leadership. He works closely with team members to expand their knowledge base and involve them in decisions beyond their immediate job purview. “These are the future leaders of hospitality, so it’s critical for them to understand how their contributions fit into the broader vision of the Hotel,” he explains.

Perhaps most importantly, Ika believes in working not just with the mind but also with the heart. “The best thing about Four Seasons culture is that we have the freedom to be authentic and to embrace our whole selves,” he says, noting that this is a crucial ingredient for creating happiness at the workplace.

In his leisure time, Ika loves to listen to a wide variety of music, from Western jazz to Indonesian dangdut. He also enjoys dancing and singing, whether at a karaoke bar or in the shower! As a sports enthusiast, he is always up for a run or a game of tennis.