Responsible for leading the team at the newly opened The Peninsula London, Sonja Vodusek shares her journey that took her from a childhood in Yarrawonga, Victoria, through to managing one of London’s most prestigious luxury hotels.
Speaking exclusively with Karryon Luxury, here Sonja shares the lessons she’s learned from her career mentors, how she leads her team, what makes The Peninsula London unique, and her three tips for travellers visiting London.
Can you tell us briefly about your career progression up until now?
Stepping into the role of Managing Director at The Peninsula London in February 2020 marked a significant juncture in my journey, building upon my time as General Manager at The Peninsula Tokyo since 2015.
My relationship with The Peninsula Hotels began in 2010 when I stepped into the role of Hotel Manager at The Peninsula New York. Before my time at Peninsula, I assumed executive roles in luxury hospitality at Four Seasons hotels scattered across the globe – from the United States to Japan, Ireland, Australia, and the Czech Republic.
Who has been one of your most profound career mentors and why?
During my high school years and a brief period afterwards, I played an active role in our family business, overseeing financial matters and handling industrial relations.
It was during this time that my late father imparted a valuable lesson to me – the importance of being approachable and accessible. He dedicated time to connect with our employees, demonstrating qualities such as kindness, generosity, honesty, and transparency. These traits left a lasting impression on me, shaping the kind of leader I wanted to become.
Throughout my career I have carried my father’s words of wisdom in my mind: “Wherever you work, run it as if it were your own business. Take charge. Don’t make excuses because you ‘own’ it. Remember to prioritise doing what is right and always put people first; profits will naturally follow.”
You’ve been with Peninsula Hotels since 2010. What is it about the brand that you love and keeps you inspired and motivated in your work?
What motivates me most in my role as Managing Director at The Peninsula London is working alongside our incredible team. They are the heartbeat of the hotel. Being part of a group that values collaboration and shared success is my continuous source of inspiration.
The joy of immersing myself in diverse cultures through travelling to our different property locations in the most iconic cities has been an enriching aspect of my journey with Peninsula Hotels. This opportunity not only allows me to explore the world but also fosters a genuine connection with vibrant communities.
The fact that we are a family-owned business is quite unusual in the industry, creating a unique sense of connection and commitment. Above all, knowing that hospitality is at the core of what we do, creating meaningful experiences for our guests, fuels my passion for this role. It’s the combination of these factors that truly keeps me inspired and motivated.
You were awarded with the prestigious ‘Master Innholder’ status in June, 2023,and now serve as a mentor for the next generation of hospitality professionals. What are the core principles and mantras that you strive to impart?
Being recently honoured as a recipient of the ‘Master Innholder’ status, it’s truly a privilege to serve as a mentor for the next generation in hospitality. My core principles and mantras revolve around shaping well-rounded professionals, with an emphasis on continuous learning and curiosity, urging them to seek knowledge relentlessly.
I stress the importance of finding a trustworthy mentor who challenges rather than merely agrees, recognising this as crucial for personal and professional growth.
Instilling bravery and courage in convictions, coupled with trusting one’s instincts, is a recipe for success. In a world where change is the new norm, I guide them to embrace uncertainty, complexity, and disruptors as opportunities rather than obstacles. Collectively, these principles contribute to the holistic development of the next generation of hospitality professionals, and it’s an honour to be part of their journey.
How do you define luxury when it comes to hotels and service?
Tailoring the hospitality experience around people’s preferences and requirements is what defines luxury within hotels and services. Personalisation and listening to what guests want and anticipating what they need is a unique luxury that The Peninsula Hotels have been offering for almost 100 years.
We are also generous with time; we operate a service on ‘Peninsula Time’ allowing guests to check in and out when they wish. You arrive here as a guest, and you leave as part of our family.
For a luxury traveller coming to London to stay, what is it about The Peninsula London that makes it unique? What type of guest does the hotel appeal to and why?
I like to think that The Peninsula London in unique as it combines some of our much-loved traditions as well as offering some Peninsula ‘firsts’. Guests can expect to see our welcoming Peninsula Pages, enjoy our luxury car fleet in Peninsula Green, legendary Afternoon Tea, and experience impeccably designed rooms.
With our elevated product and a city-centre location, The Peninsula London tends to attract a higher proportion of leisure travellers. Already, we have had old friends coming in to eat or stay since the 12 September, 2023 opening. They are excited to see how we deliver The Peninsula hospitality in London – it has been a very emotional moment!
What are your favourite elements of The Peninsula London?
Aside from having an incredible product (roof top bar and restaurant, the most spacious rooms in London, a 25-metre swimming pool and our beautiful spa), there are so many exciting elements of design and programming.
The Peninsula London has been designed as a hotel of light and space. One of my favourite design ‘stories’ is that of Canton Blue, our fine-dining Cantonese restaurant. Designed by the talented Henry Leung, of CAP Atelier, it follows the journey of the Keying Junk, and brings it to life. This wooden boat travelled from Hong Kong to England in the middle of the 19th Century to deliver Asian porcelain, fabrics, and artefacts to London’s society. It is a wonderful parallel to Peninsula coming to London. East-meets-West!
Aside from the well-known tourist attractions, what are your three hot tips of experiences, places or restaurants/bars etc for your hotel guests to enjoy during their stay?
I recommend visiting Apsley House next to Hyde Park, which used to be known as ‘Number 1, London’ back in the 18th century, because it was the first house you came across upon entering London. It is a wonderful Grade 1 listed building and was home to the first Duke of Wellington for many years but now it is open to the public who can enjoy its regal furnishings.
In terms of restaurants, I really enjoy Indian food and would recommend trying Zaika in Kensington and Gymkhana in Mayfair while visiting.
For more information visit peninsula.com