Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Bangkok’s most luxury hotel by poll, recently organized a luxurious farewell dinner for its outgoing General Manager Kurt Wachtveit, who decided to retire himself after 41-year-long serving the company, in conjunction a welcome party to his successor Jan Goessing at its most glamorous ballroom.

The dinner was served by Lord Jims restaurant, which temporary ceased its all other services especially to host the event.

Held in ‘Earth, Wind, Water, Fire’ theme, the party was graced with the presence of Her Royal Highness Princess Siriwan Warinarirat and thousand of high-profile envoys to the Kingdom of Thailand.

Kurt gained a respective reputation through his visionary strategy in bringing the Mandarin Hotel into one of the world’s best hotel list and attracted score of accolades and awards from respected travel associations around the globe.

Kurt himself told the party he decided to come to Thailand in those younger years when he fell in love with a Thai wife Sukhuma Boonak back in the homeland of Switzerland.

For 41 years working with the hotel, Kurt never has a single sick leave, saying the friendly and happily working environment helps keeping him away from doctor.

Bellow is the hotel’s official press release:

Hong Kong, 3 March 2009 – Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has announced that Kurt Wachtveitl will retire after 41 years as General Manager of Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok effective 31 May 2009.

During his long and illustrious career, Mr Wachtveitl has been instrumental in positioning Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok as one of the world’s best luxury hotels, which has regularly attracted accolades and awards from respected travel associations and publications worldwide. Mr Wachtveitl has also received recognition as one of the world’s best General Managers, including a Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual Hotel Investment Conference (HICAP) in 2006 and more recently, the 2008 Independent Hotelier of the World award from Hotels Magazine, USA.

“Throughout his career, Kurt Wachtveitl has been a pioneer in the hotel industry embracing new and exciting ideas that have kept this famous Bangkok property at the forefront of luxury hospitality throughout the world. On behalf of my fellow board members, we wish Kurt well in his retirement and thank him for his extraordinary contribution over the past 40 years,” commented Khun Nijaporn Charanachitta, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of OHTL Public Company Limited.

“For four decades, Khun Kurt, as he is affectionately known in Thailand, has been an integral part of the success of this legendary hotel and has played a significant role in the global recognition of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. He has shown tireless commitment and devotion to his guests and his colleagues, providing the best example of gracious hospitality in the global hotel industry. All of us at Mandarin Oriental salute this incredible lifetime achievement,” said Mr Edouard Ettedgui, Group Chief Executive of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.

Kurt Wachtveitl will be succeeded by Jan Goessing, a long term hotel industry veteran who has spent the past 14 years with Mandarin Oriental in senior management positions throughout Asia and The Americas, including the Group’s flagship hotel in Hong Kong. From 1998 to 2006, Mr Goessing was General Manager of the Group’s former property in Hawaii, Kahala Mandarin Oriental, during which time it became well established as one of the best urban resorts in the region, winning many important international accolades and awards. Since early 2006, he has been General Manager of Mandarin Oriental, Washington DC and has been instrumental in positioning the property as one of the city’s most luxurious hotels. During his tenure the hotel has been presented with numerous awards, including “Best Hotel in the World” from Institutional Investor in 2007 and “Top Hotels in the USA” in the 2008 Zagat survey.

About Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the world’s most prestigious hotels, resorts and residences. Mandarin Oriental now operates, or has under development, 41 hotels representing over 10,000 rooms in 25 countries, with 17 hotels in Asia, 14 in The Americas and 10 in Europe and North Africa. In addition, the Group operates, or has under development, 13 Residences at Mandarin Oriental, connected to the Group’s properties.