David Wilkie
General Manager
Four Seasons Tenure
- Since 2014
- First Four Seasons Assignment: Four Seasons Hotel Baku
Employment History
- Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel; Four Seasons Hotel Baku; Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur; Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong; Ritz-Carlton Laguna Beach, California
Birthplace
- Carnoustie, Scotland
Education
- Hotel and Catering Management, Scottish Hotel School Trust House Forte, London
Languages Spoken
- English, learning French
“Exhilarating” is how David Wilkie describes his first impression of Montreal without missing a beat.
“It’s a dynamic time to reintroduce the brand back into this market and expose Four Seasons travellers to all the city has to offer,” he says, a long list of accolades rolling off his tongue, from the arts and music scene to Montreal’s reputation as a global culinary destination. “Cities are souls, and this one is driven by a young, energetic heartbeat.”
His words are high praise, considering the General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel Montreal has been questing after excellence his entire life. Born in a small golfing town in northern Scotland, David credits his restaurant and hotel career with giving him an opportunity to see the world and learn from the best - a journey he says continues to this day.
At 17, he left home to work in the UK’s finest restaurants. Whether he was clearing tables or fileting fish for tableside service at a Michelin two-star restaurant, the eager young student gained an appreciation for quality. During his time in London, David worked with some of the world’s top chefs, including Gordon Ramsay, but he was content to admire their craft while staying true to his own path. “No, I never considered becoming a chef,” he says with a laugh. “Though I have a huge admiration for what they do, I knew front of house was where I was destined to be.”
After two stints with Ritz-Carlton hotels in the Caribbean and California and Mandarin Oriental hotels in Asia, David joined Four Seasons in 2014 as Director, then Hotel Manager, of Four Seasons Hotel Baku in Azerbaijan. From there, he spent two-and-a-half years as Hotel Manager at Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel.
David’s laser-like focus on excellence and service has only intensified now that he’s arrived in Montreal. “I take the opportunity to greet and talk with our guests as much as physically possible,” he says, adding that his stellar team is a great support. “I’m overly impressed with the talent at all levels of the Hotel. We’re a people brand, always anticipating needs, fostering connections and pushing the boundaries on a day-to-day basis.”
Next on his to-do list is mastering the language of la belle province: “I have a deep desire to learn French. It’s a huge goal for myself and my family.” Total immersion in the culture is all part of his long-term goal to create the most unique experience possible for guests.
“This city can be your city,” he says. “You decide what you want to get out of it - we’re here to help make it happen.”
