Senate leader shares secrets to seamless travel
Hotelier extraordinaire Christina Snaith Lenz knows a thing or two about traveling in style. Christina, the general manager of the Hong Kong Senate, who was recently voted 4th in the World's Best She Hotels 50 Awards, is the quintessential “third culture kid.” Always charming, this powerful mother of three (all under the age of five) was born in White Plains, New York to an English father and an Indian mother. Raised in Hong Kong, she attended boarding school in the UK, gained her degrees at the University of Bristol and the École Hôtelière de Lausanne, sharing her kaleidoscopic cultural outlook and her passion for hospitality. has started.
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What places mean the most to you?
Hong Kong is definitely my favorite city in the world. St John's Church on Garden Road is an oasis of calm in the middle of the city. It holds a special place in my heart. My three sons were baptized there, my husband and I received our marriage blessing there, and my paternal grandparents were also married there.
As a frequent traveler, what do you do to make your travels as smooth as possible?
Planning ahead is my thing! For family vacations, it's ideal to book flights at least six months in advance and book restaurants and day-long activities in advance. Start packing at least a week in advance. For work trips, he plans day-to-night outfits, including shoes and accessories, by day, and for emergencies he has two additional outfits. I have a medicine bag full of supplements and natural remedies for the kids and us. I swear by taking extra vitamin C and using Quicksilver Scientific Immune Charge throat spray on the plane. When traveling as a family, we always fly long distances on night flights to ensure maximum sleep potential. Ideally we leave between 9pm and 11pm, and before we leave the house we all put on our pajamas and I put on compression socks (which helped a lot as I'm prone to swelling)! Ideally, leave home at least three hours before your flight departs. I don't like being in a hurry or being late. When you arrive, the first thing you do is unpack with your kids and try to stick to the housework timings as much as possible. As a type A “manager”, I have to manage my expectations and be as fluid as possible, especially when traveling with my girlfriend's group of 5 or more. It's amazing to see the world through children's eyes. It makes me much more grateful to be there, and I don't sweat it as much when things don't go as planned.
What is your non-negotiable pleasure in traveling?
Having recently regained my Cathay Silver status, I am so happy to be able to enjoy the best Dandan noodles again before I board the plane!
Do you have a strategy for fitting everything into your carry-on?
This is definitely not possible because I am terrible at packing and the more I have, the harder it is. My husband grimaces every time a package comes out!
The Senate was just awarded 4th place in the World's 50 Best Hotels Awards. What do you think is special about this hotel?
We are honored to be included in this wonderful list of hotels. Having two Hong Kong hotels in the top five is incredible and a great achievement for the entire Hong Kong hospitality industry.
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Our employees are the heart and soul of our house, the heart and soul of what we do, and the reason why we are a “home, not a hotel.” Spending time with our team is definitely the best part of my job. They are wonderful people who accept and celebrate that every day and every guest is different. I truly believe in the culture of the people at Swire Hotels. It's something truly special, built on the purpose of 'thinking differently' in everything we do, including recruiting. What's most important for our frontline team members is a high level of EQ – someone who shows empathy and draws energy from connecting with people.
human touch
What makes the biggest difference for your guests?
Human touch. Really connect people by taking the time to say hello in person, pop into the guest area, or enjoy a coffee or meal together. Guests expect to celebrate the more personalized service that is built into Upper House's brand DNA – the unscripted, authentic and unforgettable experiences that truly set us apart. Making you feel at home is at the heart of what we do, and every detail has been carefully designed with this in mind. Our house teams love nothing more than curating unique experiences tailored to our guests' specific interests. We want them to fall in love with the side of Hong Kong that most resonates with them. We want to create beautiful memories for our guests so they can tell stories about their stay with us.
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What do you like to do to relax and have some time for yourself in a role where you have to deal with all these people?
Apart from my morning exercise routine, I've found that more spiritual practices work for me and are deeply ingrained in my habits. These include regular crystal sound healing, meditation, and Reiki with Stephen and Pervin Clasper at the Shakti Healing Circle, which I have been attending for over 13 years. I've been trying to improve my breathing and recently met a wonderful teacher named Anastasia Williams. Our in-house wellness residencies have really flourished over the past few years, making it easy to have these experiences during your working hours. My personal interest in holistic health made this a true passion project. We were also honored to partner with some of our city's most iconic names in wellness, including Lindsay Jiang, Joyce Tsang, and Rinat Perlman.
Recreation in Hong Kong and overseas
What are the must-see spots for people visiting Hong Kong?
You can also enjoy a spectacular waterfall climbing experience on the Xiumashan hiking course in the middle of nature. The city is home to M+, a world-class museum and cultural destination in Hong Kong.
Best island or resort?
The island of Menorca in the Balearic Islands is an unspoiled paradise for tourists. Great beach and water. Also, Hauser & Wirth's outpost in historic Ira del Rey is truly stunning. It's a very unique art and culture experience.
Best shopping destination?
Seoul! Enjoy fashion, skin care, and delicious food on the go. You can shop 24 hours a day!
Where do you think everyone should go?
Barcelona; one of my favorite cities in Europe, where I lived when I was in my 20s. The food, culture, people and climate are truly amazing and the city is so vibrant that you won't want to go home.
What destinations are on your bucket list?
New Zealand and Margaret River are on my list of places to go as a family next year. I would also like to travel to India alone with my girlfriend's husband someday.
hong kong senate
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