Pjey Mayandi, General Manager (Guardian of the Experience), Soneva Fushi, Maldives
Where are you from originally?
I’m originally from Singapore but also consider myself a caring, global citizen.
Tell us a little about your background?
I started my career with the Singapore Armed Forces as a commissioned officer but moved into the hospitality industry as Director of Loss Prevention with the Ritz Carlton in 2006. With the support of my colleagues and leaders who guided me, I worked my way up through the ranks to become Director of Rooms. After working in the Middle East for five years, I returned to Singapore to take on the role of General Manager of Naumi Boutique Hotels. I also spent some time with Millennium Hotels and Resorts before joining Soneva Fushi.
You come from a very disciplined background – what inspired you to join the hospitality industry?
I wanted to explore the world and hospitality was one of the best industries to help me fulfil my dream. But, when you think about it, the hospitality industry is also a very disciplined industry where we manage people and their expectations. We can’t compromise on their safety and security, and now, following the pandemic, hygiene is of paramount importance for guests’ health too.
What does a typical day look like for you?
My morning starts with interacting with all of our guests and getting to know them in person while they are having breakfast. Following that, I spend the second half of the day catching up one-to-one with my head of teams, cycling around the island to ensure all areas are in tip-top condition. In the evening, I visit our dining destinations to meet our guests and Hosts. I particularly love discussing our Soneva Slow Life philosophy during these interactions.
You like to keep fit and stay healthy and can often be seen running around the island – tell us a little about your fitness routine?
Yes, I am a bit of a health and fitness ‘freak’. In the morning, I do 20 minutes of mediation. I also run 5 – 8km daily around the island and every Sunday I do a 10km run in hopefully under one hour. Three times a week I also hit the gym for an intense workout , and recently I started yoga sessions with our in-house instructor. I also monitor my diet closely, which is quite easy to do on the island as Soneva Fushi provides so many healthy meal options.
What is your advice to someone looking to join the hospitality industry?
If you have the passion and the right attitude to perform at your best in any industry, then hospitality in particular will provide you with a platform to be yourself and achieve excellence.
What inspires you?
I love reading about leaders who challenge the status quo with their creativity and innovative creations. At Soneva Fushi, the amazing Hosts who surround me come from various backgrounds and have so much passion and commitment. They also inspire me and give me a boost of energy to excel in everything we do at Soneva Fushi.
