Connect with us

Hawaii

Shiels: How a Hawaii native found a home, and career, at Loews Miami Beach Hotel

Published

on

Shiels: How a Hawaii native found a home, and career, at Loews Miami Beach Hotel


Students in the Michigan State University School of Hospitality and Business may want to meet Mutlu Kucuk, who studied in Hawaii and works in Miami.

Standing behind a hotel front desk recently, Kucuk watched a family push a stroller toward the pool; a stylish young couple in cleavage and linen gliding out into the South Beach scene; and a mustachioed South American businessman, who just enjoyed VIP check-in, heading toward the elevator with his room key in one hand and a glass of champagne in the other.

Such is life at Loews Miami Beach Hotel, an oceanfront property that is a buzzing hub of haute couture, cuisine, music, and art in the heart of Florida’s famous neon, art deco playground.

Advertisement

Grateful, Kucuk takes it all in as his mind takes him back in time to the day when he took a job working behind the desk. But now, 23 years into his career, he is managing director of Loews Miami Beach Hotel and the Loews Coral Gables Hotel across town.

He stops by the desk to remind himself of his fortune.

“So many opportunities Loews, as a brand, has given me and allowed me to provide for my family and loved ones.”

As a young man, he studied business in Hawaii and never expected to be in Miami…or even the hotel business.

Advertisement

“I wanted to be a business consultant for Meryll Lynch, so I applied there. I figured a hotel front desk job could hold me over until they called,” recalled Kucuk, who didn’t want a career as a hotel industry. “I left Hawaii and moved to the mainland because if I stayed in Hawaii all the opportunities there were tourism-related.”

In retrospect, Kucuk said was lucky Loews hired him with no experience…and then trained him.

“I have come so far, and if had to go back, I would not change a thing. Starting at the front desk and the doing every position including housekeeping, VIP, and food and beverage, made me a much-better and well-rounded general manager.”

Kucuk is, therefore, a leader and mentor.

“In truth, some young people with a degree think they should start their career as a general manager. But if you want to learn the business, you need to start from the bottom, so you can learn each step of the way,” he maintained, as we talked in the hotel’s chic Bar Collins off Loews’ lobby. “If you have the right attitude, and the right business mind, and you are hospitable – as in ‘hospitality’ – and friendly, this industry can provide a lot of opportunities. The key is continuing to work hard. There are going to be some failures. You fall and you stand back up and remember what you are trying to accomplish and go for it.”

Advertisement

I tested Kucuk’s theory when I descended the palm tree-shaded walkway heading to the beach through the Loews Hotel’s pleasing swimming and sunning area just after sunrise.

In the glamorous setting amidst the luxury cabanas and chase lounges, I found young, uniformed attendants already preparing the zero-entry pool and waterfall.

“You’re all here so early! What’s the matter, none of you could sleep?” I joked. The attendants folding towels and straightening chairs laughed.

“I have been looking at that jacuzzi wishing I could jump in there,” one of the staffers admitted. “But the crowds are coming.”

“Don’t take any guff from the guests,” I implored.

Advertisement

“Sometimes we have to, sir. It’s our job,” one fellow said with a smile and a shrug.

Soon after, diners on the veranda overlooking the pool began enjoying elaborate breakfasts in Preston’s Market – including Florida fresh fruits; guava and cheese French toast; and arepa benedict. By noon a steel drum Caribbean musician would serenade the swimmers and those enjoying mini cones from the colorful dolce vita gelato Fiat Italian car. (Save some appetite for dinner at Rao’s – the resort’s rare rendition of New York’s exclusive enclave eatery.)

Loews oceanfront location in the heart of South Beach means it is a party for everyone, and Kucuk, a father himself, exhibits a heartwarming affection for families.

“You can come and party, and when it comes to family programming, we lead the market. We have activities parents can do with their children, or they can have them participate in our SoBe Kids Club while they’re sharing a drink the bar.”

Sushi or pizza making classes; cupcake and cookie decorating; and a Smile and Snap photography class, are some choices.

Advertisement

I like the Loews “footprint” because while it is a bigtime resort hotel with event and convention space, it has a cozy, stylish boutique feel.

“You can enjoy the cultural experiences of Miami Beach because Loews is partnered with museums that bring the art component here to the hotel in activations,” said Kucuk.

That makes him part curator and docent, too!

Contact Michael Patrick Shiels at MShiels@aol.com  His new book: Travel Tattler – Not So Torrid Tales, may be purchased via Amazon.com Hear his radio talk show on WJIM AM 1240 in Lansing weekdays from 9 am – noon. 



Source link

Advertisement

Hawaii

Hawaii Island asks for the public’s assistance finding elderly woman, Jacquelyn Glenn

Published

on

Hawaii Island asks for the public’s assistance finding elderly woman, Jacquelyn Glenn


HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hawaii Island police are renewing their request for the public’s assistance in locating 82-year-old Jacquelyn Glenn of Kailua-Kona, who was reported missing by her family.

Police said she is considered endangered due to her age.

Glenn was last seen on Friday, Dec. 5, around 6:37 a.m., on the 75-200 block of Nani Kailua Dr. in Kailua-Kona.

She was wearing a peach-colored shirt, blue denim jeans, and black tennis shoes. She reportedly mentioned going to Hilo with friends, but did not say when she planned to return.

Advertisement

She is described as 5′6″, 125 Ibs, with curly grey hair and brown eyes.

Police ask anyone with information on the whereabouts of Jacquelyn Glenn to call the Hawaii Police Department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Hawaii

Hawaii gets nearly $190 million for rural health care | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Published

on

Hawaii gets nearly 0 million for rural health care | Honolulu Star-Advertiser




Source link

Continue Reading

Hawaii

Hawaiian announces $600 million airport, wide-body upgrades | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Published

on

Hawaiian announces 0 million airport, wide-body upgrades | Honolulu Star-Advertiser


COURTESY HAWAIIAN AIRLINES

Advertisement

Hawaiian Airlines today announced an investment of more than $600 million over five years to improve airport passenger areas across the state and interior upgrades to widebody aircraft.

Advertisement

Hawaiian Airlines CEO Diana Birkett Rakow told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser ahead of today’s announcement at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport that other improvements will include better apps, a better website that will make it easier for passengers to change flights, among other things that also include better integration with Alaska Airlines, which acquired Hawaiian in 2024, making it a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group.

“We have pushed a lot of change through the system for the last couple of months,” Rakow said. “We’re working on integrating our ticketing systems because right now we’re on two separate ticketing systems that don’t talk to each other.”

After late April, she said, booking on the shared Alaska Air and Hawaiian Air ticketing system “will be much more seamless.”

In announcing the renovations and changes, Hawaiian pledged “a significantly smoother guest experience … once Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines share the same passenger service system and Hawaiian Airlines joins the oneworld alliance, both scheduled for late April.”

Right now, Rakow acknowledged, “unfortunately there is some friction.”

Advertisement

“There’s been so many changes and all of that friction is really painful,” she said. “We are committed to making sure we are addressing the issues. … We are certainly not perfect, but we are committed to working together. … Really, after April, it is going to improve significantly.”

Each island airport also will see renovated lobbies and gates designed to increase comfort, provide better seating and amenities such as improved power charging.

Advertisement

Daniel K. Inouye International also will get a new 10,600-square-foot lounge at the entrance of the Mauka Concourse in Terminal 1.

And starting in 2028, Hawaiian’s wide-body Airbus A330s will get new seats, carpets, lighting, business class suites, a Bluetooth-enabled in-flight entertainment system with high-definition screens and free Starlink Wi-Fi.

Gov. Josh Green said in a statement ahead of today’s announcement that, “Hawaiian Airlines’ investment is exactly the kind of long-term commitment Hawaiʻi needs. Modern, welcoming airports improve the experience for residents and visitors alike, strengthen our economy and keep Hawaiʻi competitive as a global destination. We appreciate Hawaiian Airlines’ partnership in advancing workforce development, regenerative tourism, clean energy, and community programs that reflect the values of our islands.”

The New Year began with a .75% increase in Hawaii’s Transient Accommodations Tax that will help the state fight climate change.

Rakow said that Hawaiian is working to better inform inbound passengers about how to respect Hawaii’s culture and environment.

Advertisement

Hawaiian said it will continue to support “programs promoting regenerative tourism, culture and conservation.”

The airline also said it will fund grants to nonprofit organizations “promoting cultural programs, environmental preservation, and perpetuation of native Hawaiian art and language through the Alaska Airlines | Hawaiian Airlines Foundation.”




Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending