Hilton Pattaya GM Rudolf Tröstler is keen to take forward the achievements of the 302-room five-star property, and says he would continue to work –with his team– to maintain the hotel’s popularity among travelers

He is the hotel’s “rock star.” During a recent staff party Rudolf Tröstler, general manager (GM) of Hilton Pattaya, came wearing a true-blue rock star costume, displayed his passion for rock n’ roll so avidly, and mingled unhesitatingly to ensure that everyone had fun. It was an episode that was to set the tone for Rudolf’s admirable relationship with his associates these days.

“I’m an easy-going guy,” says the 41-year-old GM who is obviously enjoying his first work experience in Thailand. “I work very hard and am passionate about what I do, but I always have time for my associates. My door is always open to anyone who would like to discuss anything with me.”

His associates couldn’t agree more. They say he is a great boss.”He is like a friend; a mentor to us,” says one associate.

Barely 17 months in office at the Hilton Pattaya, Rudolf is held in high admiration by his team indeed. Rudolf is only too happy to translate the same feeling with his associates. “Happy team means happy clients,” he explains simply.

Apparently this mutual rapport has been helping enhance further the Hilton Pattaya brand of service, and making Rudolf enjoy his job even more: “It’s a great property in a great location with very good team; a very good place to work indeed.”

Rudolf oversees hotel operations and leads the team in delivering upscale quality and exceptional guest experiences at the award-winning property – it was the World’s Leading Design Hotel winner at the 2014 World Travel Awards, for one — set in the heart of the city overlooking Pattaya bay, and perched atop Southeast Asia’s largest beachfront shopping complex, CentralFestival Pattaya Beach.

Rudolf has been a GM for only four years. He launched his career in his native Vienna, working initially as a waiter in a fine dining restaurant. But even from an early age he has already figured out that he is meant for a hospitality career. He was only 12 when the thought first seeped in.

“It started quite funnily enough,” he says. “I remember my best friend and I talking back then. He wanted to be the smartest while I wanted to be the one farthest from home; just thought I wanted to see the world. True enough, he became a doctor in Vienna and I went to Australia, which is how one could ever be been farthest from Austria, right.”

That was 21 years ago.

He joined Hilton when he was 20 and has remained with the group ever since. In the years that follow, Rudolf would spend his professional life working in far-flung destinations, from the U.K to Australia to Asia, moving along and up F&B, finance, and operations. Prior to joining Hilton Pattaya, he was GM at Hilton Colombo in Sri Lanka.

He says being GM of Hilton Pattaya poses unique challenges but adds that the hotel is well-positioned to meet the market’s growing demand for upscale accommodation, offering the finest in accommodation, services, and dining while being ecologically responsible (the hotel has in fact incorporated unique environmentally friendly features within its operations and guest services, in line with Hilton Worldwide’s global sustainability efforts).

Rudolf is also leading by example in continuing the hotel’s strong involvement in the community.

To celebrate the hotel’s 5th anniversary recently, Hilton Pattaya introduced its latest corporate social responsibility initiative: “The Charity Teddy Bear for Habitat for Humanity Thailand,” which aims to raise funds to help alleviate poverty by providing decent housing, improving quality of life, and providing response and solution for natural disaster recovery.

The hotel also recently donated more than 300 used calendars for the Pattaya Redemptorist School for the Blind, and more recently, Rudolf led a biker team from the hotel, riding over 200km from Pattaya to Chanthaburi to donate soft toys to Baan Numkhun School and Child Development Center.

Indeed, Rudolf is keen to take forward the achievements of the 302-room five-star property, and said he would continue to work –with his team–to maintain the hotel’s popularity among local and international travelers.

In fact, Rudolf and his team are already neck-deep in the planning and implementing more activities with that clear goal in mind.