INTERVIEW WITH SVEN FITJER GENERAL MANAGER THE STONES – LEGIAN, BALI – A MARRIOTT AUTOGRAPH COLLECTION HOTEL

How do you feel to be the new General Manager of The Stones – Legian, Bali – A Marriott Autograph Collection Hotel

I am extremely excited to be the new GM of the Stones and to have returned to Bali. I love my young and energetic team and we are working on some nice new feature items, but it is a bit early to reveal. 

With so many luxury resorts available in Bali, tell us what makes The Stones so different than others.

The Stones – Legian, Bali is one-of-a-kind premium lifestyle hotel in Legian that can cater both business and leisure travellers who desire to experience what’s fresh, inventive, and exactly like nothing else through its distinctive design and ambience. Some rooms boast balcony with bathtub and some features a private plunge pool overlooking the 3000 sqm pool oasis or dazzling vertical garden. Besides what it has to offer for a leisure seeker, the hotel also boasts the largest pillarless Ballroom in Legian and Kuta area, which can cater up to 1,800 people during a meeting or conference with its creative themed coffee breaks, to special occasion such as wedding or graduation. The hotel is also located a short stroll to all the vibrant activity of Kuta such as surfing, shopping at the traditional art market or modern shopping mall, to dining at local favourites to international restaurants.

Having worked and traveled around the worlds, which Marriott’s property do you like the most?

With more than 7000 hotels around the world makes the choice very difficult. We have so many great brands and amazing hotels that to single out one hotel is impossible, but to name just two of my personal favorites that would be the St Regis Aspen Golf Resort as I am a passionate golfer and in Europe I have to go with the Castillo Hotel Son Vida, and amazing luxury collection hotel in Mallorca, Spain.

What have been your greatest challenges and successes in your professional journey? As for challenges I would have to mention the months after I became first time a division head and suddenly had 6 departments reporting into myself. I was overwhelmed with the amount of time you had to spend actually on people and managing all different characters. As for successes I love it when people who worked under your leadership move up themselves and send you a thank you note saying you had a positive impact on them in their career. That makes me proud. 

If you could pick one place to be your dream destination anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

Definitely there would be a golf course close by and the ocean is a must as well. But there are so many beautiful places in the world impossible to narrow it down. High on my list to explore is South America and South Africa,

If you were given a chance for a fix up in life, what would you do differently?

Nothing major really, I am very happy so far how my life and career developed, maybe I would start earlier to learn playing golf. One regret is that I lived in Hawaii and missed out to play some of the most amazing ocean courses there, as I just started here in Asia.

What do you think your strongest personal quality is?

I am open for feedback from all levels and sides. I actually love and encourage feedback and I try to use it to become a better person, partner to my wife, father to my daughters and also a better leader to my team.

What do you do for fun during your day off?

First comes my family, my daughter Kaia and Ellie are 3.5 and 4.5 and they are so much fun and not to forget my wife Amanda of course. Second you will have guessed it already a round of golf, it is my best way to recharge and relax.