INTERVIEW WITH DEWA SHANDI, RESIDENCE MANAGER OF THE KIRANA HOTEL, RESTO & SPA CANGGU BALI

As the Residence Manager of The Kirana Hotel, Resto & Spa Canggu Bali could you share some distinctive features of the property that makes your brand stand out from the others?

The Kirana was built with the precise concept, where there are not so many rooms and the location is far from the main street so that the guests can have full comfort. At The Kirana, we have a rice field and we often invite guests in planting the paddies. Moreover, it has become a unique selling point for us, as we are aware that there is not much rice field left in the hotel’s surrounding area.

Does the name Kirana mean anything special? Please share to us

Kirana means “light” or something beautiful. The name was chosen due to the similarity with the company’s name under which it is managed, PT. Sinar Bulan Purnama Bali. It was hoped that the name could leave a wonderful impression for the staying guests.

What is the most memorable achievement in your career at hospitality industry?

Being a leader who could create a pleasant and harmonious atmosphere for all team members and have the ability to persevere and keep everyone’s morale high during the last year’s natural disaster, as one of the toughest time for the tourism industry until we all could get back up on our feet. That was one of the most rewarding achievements throughout my leadership at The Kirana
How do you cope with so many competitions in Bali these days? What is your hotel doing to stay competitive?

With the boutique concept that offers not so many rooms and its rice field as the unique selling point, we believe that the hotel can bring an enjoyable experience to every guest. Furthermore, we’ve done our best in upgrading the worn-down equipment and stuff as well as coming up with fresh sales and marketing strategies, and the most important thing, improving the quality of our employees in order to bring in a positive atmosphere.
What do you think your strongest personal quality is?

I believe that my strength lies in my vast knowledge regarding operational affairs. It is highly beneficial when it comes to dealing with a property that needs maintenance to keep it running well.
If you could pick one place anywhere in the world to be your dream destination, where would it be?

I love nature and anything related to wonders, so I’d probably say, Manchu Picchu and Petra.
What do you do for fun during your day off?

As I mentioned previously that I loved nature, I often do some activities that involve nature, such as fishing, hiking, and exploring the woods.

What book has influenced you the most?

My personal faith is Hindu, and I find that the Bhagavad Gita is highly inspiring to me.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

There are so many potential people nowadays, and I think by being an entrepreneur we can utilize their skills and labor as well as contributing to the economy and creating more jobs.