Four Seasons Resort Langkawi, Malaysia

Four Seasons Tenure

• Since 2004
• First Four Seasons Assignment: Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo

Employment History

• Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, Four Seasons Explorer and Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah, Maldives; Four Seasons Resort Langkawi, Malaysia; Four Seasons Resort Lanai, Hawaii; Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica; The Grand Mayan Acapulco, Mexico; The Grand Mayan Puerto Peñasco, Mexico

Birthplace

• Toluca, Mexico

Education

• Degree in Hotel Business Administration from Universidad Iberoamericana, Mexico City

Languages Spoken

• English, Spanish

“There is something special about island resorts,” remarks Ivan Giles, whose decades-long career has spanned a series of spectacular beachfront properties in premier destinations such as Mexico, Hawaii and the Maldives. “Our guests leave the rest of the world behind and have the chance to truly unwind, connect with each other, and immerse in the destination. As a hotelier, the experiences you get to create in such a setting are pure magic.”

Joining the team at Four Seasons Resort Langkawi is something of a homecoming for Ivan, who served as the property’s Resort Manager from 2015 to 2017. Now as General Manager, his vision for the jungle-cloaked hideaway – “one of our most beautifully designed beachfront properties” – is driven by a well-founded passion for Langkawi’s unique offerings.

Situated just next to the UNESCO-endorsed Langkawi Geopark, the Resort offers unfettered access to the island’s incredible natural wonders – pristine beaches and ancient rainforests, mystical mangroves and dramatic limestone cliffs – all of which Ivan and his team are working hard to showcase for travellers from around the world.

Prior to his current role, Ivan led the award-winning Food & Beverage portfolio across Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru, Four Seasons Explorer (an 11-cabin luxury catamaran), and the brand’s private island at Voavah. Besides ensuring impeccable quality and service standards, he was also responsible for developing team members for future leadership roles in the company.

Before his move to Asia, Ivan cut his teeth in Mexico as part of the opening team for two high-end beach resorts. In 2004, he joined the Four Seasons family and continued to hone his skills at two coveted properties – as Director of Restaurants for the Costa Rican resort at Peninsula Papagayo, and as Assistant Director of Food and Beverage at the Five-Diamond resort in Lanai, Hawaii.

The opportunity to work and live in different countries has been an incredible learning journey. “It opens your mind and your heart,” he says. “With enough time and patience, you can find common denominators with every culture.” In Hawaii, by the end of his four-year stay, he had become part of the ohana island family, spending his weekends diving and fishing with local residents.

For Ivan, the twin pillars for creating an exceptional resort experience are attention to detail and team communication. “To anticipate our guests’ needs, we must pay close attention to every interaction with them. And to consistently deliver memorable moments, we must have well-rounded communication within the team, from the buggy chauffeur and housekeeping attendant to the sommelier and chef.”

His leadership style? “To lead by example.” Over the course of his professional journey, one of the most vital lessons he has learned is to be hands-on and to embody the same high standards he asks of others.

On the personal front, Ivan loves to spend time with his daughter: “She’s a mermaid, so we spend hours splashing about in the pool or out in the sea.” The little one gets her passion for the water from her father, who is a trained rescue diver and free diver. Another favourite pastime is wandering the lush Resort grounds together, keeping an eye out for colourful hornbills and shy dusky leaf monkeys.