Miyuki Seki has worked for Hyatt for 22 years. You don’t stay that long unless you have a passion for hotels and in her case – Hyatt Hotels. She has been with the Grand Hyatt Fukuoka all those years, and her enthusiasm remains, with good reasons.
She excitedly shared with me that business traffic is returning, and their meeting facilities are being used again. The hotel’s 372 guestrooms include 15 suites, all with a warm and homey atmosphere, embodying an “East meets West” style of accommodations. Guests can relax in the spacious bathrooms, which feature large bathtubs and separate showers, while guestrooms reflect modern needs and simple and functional design, ensuring ideal stays for any occasion.
One of the highest priorities for welcoming guests back to Hyatt properties is doing it safely, with your well-being in mind. Guided purpose of care and experience delivering world-class hospitality for more than 60 years, Hyatt’s Global Care & Cleanliness Commitment builds on existing rigorous safety and cleanliness protocols.
Miyuki enthusiastically told me why she thinks tourists should come to this island in southern Japan and advised that Kyushu is called the “greatest place to visit”. (See https://www.visit-kyushu.com/en/.) Kyushu has been listed as one of the 50 places listed in TIME Magazine’s “World’s Greatest Places 2022”.
Kyushu is a land full of energy, from its vibrant people to its famous volcanoes. Close to the rest of Asia and easily accessible from Tokyo and Osaka, Kyushu has welcomed new ideas and cultures for over a thousand years. From the dynamic landscapes to relaxing in the many hot springs, just enjoy the warmth of genuine hospitality.
What guests say about any hotel is straight from customer feedback. Miyuki told me that guests like the service, guest rooms, meeting spaces and closeness to many attractions of this “greatest place to visit”! Add to this the services, close communication with the customer, and maintaining Grand Hyatt traditions and standards.
We talked about the high priorities of a customer today. Safety, location, and service are often expressed, and Grand Hyatt delivers on these. I ask why is Japan a hospitality legend, and what characteristics of the Japanese make customer service so welcoming. Miyuki tells me it’s by nature, upbringing, and characteristics to be polite and modest. It’s an honour to serve the customer.
Omotenashi おもてなし is a philosophy that came from Japan. The word describes the essence of a selfless approach to customer service and hospitality. Omotenashi is best described as the Japanese spirit of hospitality. The word has no direct equivalent in the English language, so an understanding of its true meaning has to come through personal experience rather than knowledge. Indeed, omotenashi is Japanese hospitality. “Omote” means public face – an image you wish to present to outsiders. “Nashi” means nothing. Combining them means every service is from the bottom of the heart – honest, no hiding, no pretending.
In my short time chatting with Miyuki, I have indeed clearly understood the meaning of Omotenashi. I wish her and the Grand Hyatt a successful future.
Written by: Richard Coles
