Suite Sojourn: Hugo, your journey in hospitality spans over 17 years across some of the world’s most iconic hotels. What first drew you to this industry, and what continues to inspire you today?

Hugo Montanari, Managing Director of Rosewood Hong Kong: My journey in hospitality began in Dubai after graduating from a hotel school in Switzerland. I started out as a management trainee, mainly in food and beverage, before moving into rooms division. Since then, my career has taken me on an incredible journey — from The Plaza in New York City to a hotel opening in Bangalore, which was particularly special as I grew up in India and my son was born there. Later, I spent several years in China, first in Sanya and then in Tianjin, before heading to Morocco to open two new hotels, and eventually to Ibiza to launch a health and wellness resort and now here in the beautiful Hong Kong. What continues to inspire me today is the people in hospitality — the relationships we build, the teamwork it takes to bring unforgettable experiences to life, and the opportunity to make a genuine impact on both guests and associates wherever I go.

Suite Sojourn: Having worked in such diverse destinations, from Dubai to New York to Morocco. How has this global experience shaped your approach to leading Rosewood Hong Kong?

Hugo Montanari, Managing Director of Rosewood Hong Kong: Working across such diverse destinations — from Dubai to New York, India, China, Morocco, and now Hong Kong has truly shaped how I lead today. Each place taught me the importance of building meaningful relationships and understanding people on a deeper level.

I’ve learned that leadership, no matter where you are in the world, starts with trust. That’s why I always invest time in building strong relationships with my team. When trust exists, collaboration and creativity naturally follow.

My global experience has also strengthened my belief in empathy and adaptability. Being able to read emotions that are taking place in the room and adjust your approach accordingly is essential, especially in a culturally diverse environment like Hong Kong. At Rosewood Hong Kong, I try to lead with that mindset — to connect authentically, understand individual perspectives, and create an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute.

Suite Sojourn: Rosewood Hong Kong has become synonymous with contemporary luxury and a deep sense of place. In your view, what makes this property,and Hong Kong itself truly special?

Hugo Montanari, Managing Director of Rosewood Hong Kong: Rosewood Hong Kong is truly special because it captures the essence of the city — where contemporary luxury meets deep cultural connection. The property reflects Hong Kong’s unique spirit: dynamic, sophisticated, and full of character.

But what truly sets us apart is our people. We have more than 1,000 passionate associates who work tirelessly each day to deliver exceptional, heartfelt experiences for our guests. Their commitment and pride in what they do bring the soul of Rosewood Hong Kong to life and embody the very best of this incredible city.

Suite Sojourn: From the Loro Piano cashmere wallpaper used in the Harbor House Suite to the octagonal hand soaps, every detail at Rosewood Hong Kong feels deeply considered. Is there a story behind the octagonal shape, perhaps linked to Hong Kong’s history or cultural nuances? Can you share more about the design philosophy and materials behind these touches, and how that same attention to detail extends into your service culture? What was the overall vision, was it to blend modern elegance with local heritage?

Hugo Montanari, Managing Director of Rosewood Hong Kong: Every detail at Rosewood Hong Kong is crafted to tell a story. The octagonal shape reflects balance and harmony, while the bat motifs on the room’s air ventilation covers symbolize “fook” — prosperity and good fortune in Chinese culture.

Our design philosophy blends modern elegance with local heritage, reflecting the essence of Hong Kong. That same thoughtfulness extends to our service culture, where our associates bring warmth and personal attention to every guest experience.

Suite Sojourn: For those that may not know, Hong Kong is also world-renowned for its horse racing. Can your team help arrange a visit for guests who might be interested? I’ve noticed equestrian elements subtly woven into the hotel’s design, and if I’m not mistaken, there are over 400 pieces of art throughout the property, do you also offer curated art tours for guests staying on-site?

Hugo Montanari, Managing Director of Rosewood Hong Kong: Absolutely, our team is always delighted to help guests experience the best of Hong Kong, including arranging visits to the horse racing events. The equestrian touches throughout Rosewood Hong Kong pay homage to our CEO Ms. Sonia Cheng’s grandfather, Dr. Cheng Yu Tung, whose passion for horses inspired these subtle design elements.

We also take great pride in our art collection, which features over 400 pieces displayed across the property. Guests can join art tours led by our dedicated Art Ambassadors, who share the stories behind them, adding another layer of discovery to their stay.

Suite Sojourn: Rosewood Hong Kong attracts a mix of corporate travelers, long-stay guests, and leisure visitors. How do you ensure that each feels at home, and what does ‘a sense of place’ mean at Rosewood, especially now in what some might call Rosewood 3.0? How has this relatively new building managed to so seamlessly capture the spirit of Hong Kong in the guest journey?

Hugo Montanari, Managing Director of Rosewood Hong Kong: For us at Rosewood Hong Kong, creating a sense of place is really about making genuine connections. Whether someone is here for a day, a month, or longer, we want them to feel like they truly belong. It’s about understanding what matters to each guest and creating experiences that feel personal and genuinely cared for.

We believe hospitality is about creating meaningful relationships — nurturing a sense of belonging and celebrating the culture and community around us. That’s the world of Rosewood: where every detail invites discovery, every stay evokes connection, and a touch of magic brings Hong Kong’s spirit beautifully to life.

Suite Sojourn: Of the many celebrated dining and bar destinations within the hotel, do you have a personal favorite? And if you were playing tourist for a day, how might you spend an ideal weekend in Hong Kong?

Hugo Montanari, Managing Director of Rosewood Hong Kong: BluHouse, our Italian restaurant is especially close to my heart because of the social impact story behind it. We’ve worked with two NGOs — LoveXpress, to provide training for youth with special education needs and offer them opportunities to join the hotel as full-time team members, and Inherited Sports, a social enterprise that supports the local ethnic minority community. For me, BluHouse shows how gastronomy can go beyond great food to really support and connect with the wider community.

If I were playing tourist for a day, I’d definitely balance the city’s energy with its nature. Many visitors don’t realize how many beautiful country parks and trails Hong Kong has, so I’d start with a hike to enjoy the green landscapes, then spend the rest of the day exploring local neighborhoods, cafés, and street markets to really soak in the city’s character.

Suite Sojourn: For first-time visitors to Hong Kong, how would you recommend spending three to four days in the city to truly capture its energy and character?

Hugo Montanari, Managing Director of Rosewood Hong Kong: For first-time visitors, I would mix Hong Kong Island’s iconic sights with Kowloon’s vibrant energy. Start around Victoria Harbour and The Peak for those stunning skyline views, then head over to Tsim Sha Tsui and Mong Kok on the Kowloon side for bustling markets, street food that really capture the city’s lively, authentic buzz.

Suite Sojourn: As Managing Director, no two days are likely the same, but could you walk us through what a ‘typical’ day might look like for you?

Hugo Montanari, Managing Director of Rosewood Hong Kong: It’s true that no day is ever quite the same, but a typical one usually starts early with my executive team — aligning on priorities and making sure we’re all connected.

Afternoons are meeting the guests and partners, plus different departments, along with regular walkthroughs with the rooms and engineering teams to keep operations sharp. It’s all about staying close to the details, our people, and what keeps Rosewood Hong Kong special for our guests.

Suite Sojourn: Beyond the hotel, which neighborhoods or hidden gems would you encourage guests to explore to get an authentic feel for Hong Kong life?

Hugo Montanari, Managing Director of Rosewood Hong Kong: Sham Shui Po is definitely the hidden gem,  it’s just a short hop from Tsim Sha Tsui, packed with authentic local cafés, street markets, and that raw Hong Kong vibe. I’d also recommend guests to visit Mong Kok for the bustling night markets and Yau Ma Tei for temples and street eats. These spots give you the real pulse of the city — real, lively, and full of character.

Suite Sojourn: You’re also leading Rosewood Sustains, the hotel’s CSR and sustainability program. Could you share some of the initiatives you’re most proud of, and how they reflect Rosewood’s broader commitment to community and sustainability?

Hugo Montanari, Managing Director of Rosewood Hong Kong: I’m particularly proud of our circular hospitality initiatives. We partner with YM Fleur, a social enterprise training single moms — they transform our surplus flowers from events and weddings  into beautiful floral products sold in our online shop, with all proceeds supporting their mission.

We also collaborated with Rhys Workshop, which empowers underprivileged women, to upcycle surplus bed linens into 100 dignity bibs for the elderly, bringing them comfort during mealtimes. These reflect Rosewood’s deep commitment to community impact and creative sustainability — turning what might be waste into real good.