Clothing, Person, Sleeve, Long Sleeve, Coat, Suit, Overcoat, Blazer, Accessories, Tie

Twinnie O’Bree

DIRECTOR OF ROOMS
Mandarin Oriental, Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi

Twinnie O’Bree has worked in the luxury hotels industry for over 15 years with Front of House and Rooms division roles at the Peninsula, the Ritz Carlton, and Sofitel. Twinnie has just returned to the Group to take on a brand-new challenge at the iconic Mandarin Oriental Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi.

You have just assumed the Director of Rooms position at Mandarin Oriental, Emirates Palace. What are you looking forward to in this role and how does it differ from your other Director of Rooms appointments?

Mandarin Oriental, Emirates Palace is an entirely different hotel to what I had experienced previously in terms of profile, size, operations, demographics of colleagues and is one of the most iconic properties in the Middle East. When Mandarin Oriental took over this property in Jan 2020, I was very excited to be considered for the role of Director of Rooms. To have the opportunity to work with a large multicultural team to take on the forthcoming projects such as new system transformation, guest rooms renovation and instill the Mandarin Oriental service culture to aspire colleagues to be “Fans of MO” to deliver our renowned legendary quality experience to guests and colleagues and grow their career with the group.

 

You have worked for a number of luxury hotel brands but you have decided to return to Mandarin Oriental, why is that?

All luxury brands are unique in their own way. I am very fortunate to have gone through many learning and development opportunities with Mandarin Oriental that have helped define who I am and the service values I stand for today. The immense support coming from Head Office, the opportunity to work at different destinations, the close-knit working relationship among colleagues in properties and the abundance of learning and development opportunities available to all colleagues, at all levels, at each stage of their career, has enabled me to improve and excel in each of my roles and experience career growth; just some of the reasons of what draws me back to Mandarin Oriental (again and again).

 

What is your most memorable career moment with Mandarin Oriental?

I started my career with Mandarin Oriental at The Excelsior, Hong Kong back in 2004 in the role of Executive Services Manager, the place that ignited my passion for Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, its service culture and people. I could not have been more excited to return to this property 12 years later as the Director of Rooms, where I was very privileged to work alongside some amazing colleagues whom I had worked with in the earlier days. The opportunity to have led the team through a transformation of the division to another level where we achieved elevated service quality, guest experiences and colleague engagement. Finally, to have been a key member of the closing team to create and re-live the most memorable moments of the EXHKG for both colleagues and guests.