Patrick Fiat, Chief Experience Officer and General Manager of Royal Plaza on Scotts (RP) has been selected from over 650 General Managers of Preferred Hotel Group's (PHG) hotel members around the world, to be crowned the company's Hotelier of the Year 2014.

He celebrated the success and shared the joy with over 400 associates over high tea at Carousel, the business hotel's award-winning buffet restaurant, and the PHG team. Besides taking care of the hotel's associates and guests, Royal Plaza on Scotts strongly believes in establishing meaningful working relationships with business partners and recognises that they are important stakeholders who contribute to the successes of the hotel.

The award acknowledges Fiat's acute business acumen and consistency in the exemplary service delivered in Royal Plaza on Scotts. He is well-known in the industry for his innovative initiatives which have been proven to be the new way of running businesses in the hospitality industry and in the extremely competitive market of Singapore. He inspires and challenges his team members to do their very best each day.

Some of the bold moves by Fiat and his team include making Royal Plaza on Scotts the first 100% smoke-free hotel in Singapore, introducing complimentary mini-bar, high speed wireless and wired broadband access and Nespresso gourmet coffee in all 511 rooms of the property. Fiat is also an avid supporter of green and charity initiatives. The newest initiative replaces all hard copies of newspapers with electronic ones. The move saves a substantial number of trees each day as savvy travellers who are flying with their own smart phones, tablets and laptops are able to gain easy access on the digital platforms.

His management style is open and communicative as he engages associates from all levels of the hotel. Fiat is the only General Manager in the industry to keep his door open once a week to welcome associates to walk in and speak with him about anything under the sun. Junior board and middle managers' meeting are also conducted on a regular basis to bring about changes and improvements to the operations and human resources strategies in the hotel as Fiat strongly believes that his associates who are on the ground are able to bring in new best practices that are relevant and functional.

“I am honoured to be selected for the “Hotelier of the Year” award amongst various esteemed properties from around the globe. I owe my success to my colleagues, guests and business partners who have supported me relentlessly throughout the years. It is impossible to create success as an individual especially in the hospitality industry which has to do with the human touch and emotional connection.” said Fiat.

"This award could not have gone to a more deserving person. Patrick Fiat is not only Preferred Hotel Group's Hotelier of the Year 2014, but also one of the very best in the industry. He is creative, charismatic, driven, a great host and role model for aspiring young hoteliers, as well as a seasoned businessman. All those who know Patrick will attest to his keen sense of humour! PHG is an extremely proud partner of Royal Plaza on Scotts, and we are delighted that Patrick Fiat is at the helm," commented Mr Anthony Ross, Preferred Hotel Group's Executive Vice President for Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa.

Fiat's charisma and warm persona have won him the hearts of his associates, guests and business partners alike in the industry and across the region where he has left his footprints over the past 41 years.