Simon Barnett engages you at the start, with his direct gaze and easy laughter. The new General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur is all fresh and ready for this vibrant city urban property, coming in from the more resort-like Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya. “I feel so lucky being GM in the greatest hospitality brand in the world,” he says.
He’s Australian, studied hospitality management at the University of Queensland, and started work at a five-star hotel in Brisbane. As a student he had worked part-time in a hotel. “I was the bellman carrying luggage, parking cars. I learned about guests of different nationalities, got tips and I got hooked. It helped me a lot going through university.”
Accessibility is the keynote in his style of management, whether in connecting with guests or the people he works with. “I spent five years in the Brisbane hotel and I never spoke to the GM once.” He’s mindful of how important the connection with young people is. “Normally by age 25 their CV would show at least six jobs. I’m always listening.”
Simon Barnette — accessibility the keynote of his working style
“Hospitality is seven days a week, 24 hours a day delivering the same service.” But work-life balance is equally important. He confesses to being a sports fanatic, whether it’s football, rugby or rowing. “I’m always at the gym.” He spends time exploring with his wife. ‘When I was living in Singapore during Covid, the island got smaller and smaller!
“I was working in Indonesia but was hardly motivated to travel. Here in Malaysia we I plan to do a long weekend very month. I’ve got my itinerary planned already. I want to be an advocate for Malaysia as well. I’m traing myself to drive here.”
Plans to explore Malaysia
An unforgettable experience in Brazil reminded him of what hospitality can do. My wife and I found ourselves in Rio late at night, and didn’t have a hotel booking. The hotel we went to was full but they set us up in the lounge on the off chance that someone might check out. They were so wonderful, generous and thoughtful.”
Simon has had three decades of global hospitality experience, from Gold Coast and Sydney to London and New York. He has spent nearly 15 years with Four Seasons.