Every week, interesting personalities from the world of finance and beyond share their personal preferences in our section Backstage.

What do you do first in the morning?

I start my morning in a relaxed way – enjoying a coffee in my pyjamas with my family. As the children leave the house early, we particularly enjoy these moments.

What is the best thing about your job?

The best thing about my job is undoubtedly the daily contact with so many different people. The interaction, getting to know each other and working together are incredibly enriching for me and make every day productive.

A moment that changed your life?

An unforgettable moment was when I was a young banquet manager at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London in 2005, hosting Lady Thatcher's 80th birthday. The encounters with Queen Elizabeth II and numerous other heads of state were impressive and formative.

What cars do you own? Which is your favorite?

I don’t own a car. My company car is a Bavarian SUV, which I like to use to visit my home country and go skiing. My dream car would be a sports car from Zuffenhausen of Maranello.

What advice would you give to your 20-year-old self?

I would advise my 20-year-old self to take time for myself, family and friends. As a young hotelier, the focus can be one-sided and I’ve realized that I get the most out of time with my loved ones and a good work-life balance will definitely lead to a successful career. 

What are you particularly proud of?

I am particularly proud of the fact that, following the renovation, we have managed to redefine the Mandarin Oriental Savoy, Zurich for the people of Zurich. We have not only transformed the history of the city's oldest grand hotel into a modern hotel, but also expressed the unique connection between Swiss hospitality and the almost 150-year-old Asian heritage of our hotel group.

What was your biggest defeat?

When Bayern Munich lost to Chelsea FC in the Champions League final at their stadium, the Allianz Arena, in 2012, I'd had a season ticket since I was 12 years old. To make matters worse, the Chelsea FC team was staying at the Mandarin Oriental, Munich. They celebrated their victory by the pool and on the roof terrace until the early hours of the morning. As the night turned out to be a boozy one, all our colleagues helped to replenish our champagne reserves at nearby hotels to cover the demand.

What is your favorite wine?

I have several favorite wines: I used to drink Austrian Grüner Veltliner and a South Tyrolean Pinot Grigio. Recently, however, I have a new favorite wine: Pinot Noir from the Kümin brothers from Lake Zurich, which is regularly in my fridge. I also recently discovered Diederik Weingut Blanc du Village 2023 from Küsnacht at Michel Peclard's «Portofino» in Thalwil.

Are you currently working on a project?

We are currently working on several exciting projects: Our roof terrace «1838» is getting a comprehensive refresh to make it even more cozy. In addition, our Savoy terrace on Züghusplatz will be completely redesigned in spring. Another highlight is the eagerly awaited opening of the Mandarin Oriental, Vienna, which will take place this summer and which I am proud to be part of.

What is most important to you at the moment?

Right now, what matters most to me is strengthening our team spirit, ensuring my colleagues are satisfied, and helping position the Mandarin Oriental Savoy as an employer of choice. I’m also pleased that my family feels very much at home in Oberrieden and that the children are happier than they were in big cities like Berlin or Boston. In the summer, we spend a lot of time together at the swimming pool.

What would be the biggest surprise for someone who had to do your job for a day?

What might surprise people most is the incredible pace and energy. My office often feels like a busy train station, with colleagues constantly coming and going and the phone ringing non-stop. My primary responsibility is to offer guidance and support to my team. And even though we have great restaurants in the hotel, including a Michelin star, there is often no time to eat.

What is your personal drive?

What drives me personally is the vision of our hotel becoming a vibrant meeting place for the community, and my desire to deepen my roots in Switzerland while exploring its beauty and diversity.

What are you afraid of?

I hope that the global economy will continue to flourish, free from major crises that could affect us. The pandemic remains a clear memory from which our industry has been slow to recover.

Your favorite watch brand?

My favorite watch brand is Rolex. I saved for four years while working in London—from my days as a management trainee to becoming a restaurant manager at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park—just to buy my Rolex Oyster in 2007.

What do your employees value most about you?

I believe my employees value that I’m approachable and that we can have open, honest conversations on equal footing.

Your best investment?

Hopefully a sports car from Zuffenhausen or Maranello soon!

Dominik Georg Reiner is the General Director of Mandarin Oriental Savoy in Zurich. He studied international tourism and hotel management at the International School of Management in Dortmund, at Hawaii Pacific University in Honolulu, and in New Zealand.