Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, Thailand

Four Seasons Tenure

• Since 2022
• First Four Seasons Assignment: Director of Rooms at Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui

Employment History

• Capella Singapore; The Fullerton Hotel Singapore; Millennium & Copthorne International Limited (M Hotel Singapore); Hyatt Regency Johor Bahru; Mandarin Oriental Hotel Kuala Lumpur

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in International Hotel and Tourism Management,Institute of Vatel, France; Professional Development Program – Hotel Revenue Management, Cornell-Nanyang Institute of Hospitality Management

Birthplace

• Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Languages Spoken

• English, Bahasa, Tamil, Malayalam

A well-rounded hotelier with almost two decades of experience in the industry, Shivan Pillay trades his suits for linens as Director of Rooms and Residences at Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui. Youthful and confident, Shivan’s core work philosophy entails bringing joy to the workplace, “I truly believe that only an enjoyable working environment can make everyone deliver excellence in service.” From his first ever assignment, driving the guest retention program for the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Kuala Lumpur in 2002, Shivan has embraced the idea that staff, just like guests, must enjoy their experience at a hotel.

With a bachelor’s degree in International Hotel and Tourism Management from the Institute of Vatel, France, Shivan has carved out a career for himself by building relationships and a steady reputation for hard work. Rising through the role of assistant front office manager with the Hyatt Regency Johor Bahru, he became front office manager for the M Hotel Singapore in 2007, overseeing guest and lobby services.

An extended stint in Singapore has nurtured in him the strong ethics of hospitality that come with the terrain. Moving to a cluster front office role with the Fullerton Hotels Singapore in 2013, Shivan embraced the additional responsibility and thrived in that organization. His tenure as director of rooms began in 2018, when he moved to the Capella Singapore in that capacity. Quick to assume responsibility and keen to encourage his team, Shivan’s involvement in all aspects of his work is infectious. Of his position with Four Seasons, he shares, “The strong company culture, emphasis on investing in their people’s development as well as focus on technology development to become one of the world’s most guest-centric and digitally driven luxury brands were also a huge draw for me.” No stranger to the island life, Shivan is excited about exploring a new culture, “I am spending time understanding the people and culture as I come from a different background. I would like to improve my cooking skills, and probably learn how to cook Thai food!”