Stallone Tjia
Dec 03, 2025
With more than 25 years of international leadership experience in the luxury hospitality industry, Gilles Tressens has built a distinguished career across multiple global markets. He has successfully led major Accor properties through pre-openings, operational transformations, and commercial growth—from elevating teams at Ibis and Grand Mercure to driving award-winning performance at Pullman Ciawi. Now serving as the General Manager of Swissôtel Living Jakarta Mega Kuningan, Gilles continues to bring his democratic leadership style, strategic mindset, and passion for talent development to create exceptional guest experiences and inspire high-performing hospitality teams.
Be it managing a flagship urban property, leading a pre-opening team, or mentoring emerging leaders, Gilles Tressens consistently exemplifies the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and dedication to creating world-class hospitality experiences. What’s New Jakarta recently conducted an exclusive one-on-one interview with him—read on to discover what he shared with us.
Gilles Tressens, General Manager of Swissotel Living Jakarta Mega Kuningan
1. With more than 25 years in luxury hospitality, what originally inspired you to pursue this path, and how has your motivation evolved over the years?
From the very beginning, I was drawn to hospitality because it connects people. I have always enjoyed environments where every day is different, where genuine human interactions can create meaningful moments. Over time, my motivation has evolved from simply being part of the experience to shaping it, creating teams, environments, and cultures that consistently deliver exceptional guest journeys. Today, what drives me most is empowering people to grow, contribute, and find pride in what they do.
2. You’ve successfully led teams across multiple Accor brands—from Ibis to Grand Mercure to Pullman. What is the key to adapting leadership styles across different brand segments while still driving consistent performance?
Every brand has its own identity and guest expectations, so the leadership approach must reflect that. What remains constant is clarity, collaboration, and empowerment. I adjust the tempo and tone depending on the brand segment, but my core belief stays the same: when teams feel trusted and motivated, performance follows. My role is to guide the way, align everyone on the vision, and ensure each person understands the part they play in achieving excellence.
3. Having worked in diverse international markets, how do cultural nuances influence how you shape guest experience and team dynamics?
Cultural nuances are incredibly important. They shape how guests define service, comfort, and luxury, and they also influence how teams communicate and collaborate. The key is to listen, observe, and adapt. I make it a priority to understand cultural expectations so we can deliver experiences that feel intuitive and respectful. Internally, embracing diversity creates stronger teams, people bring their own strengths and perspectives, which enriches our service delivery and innovation.
4. Swissôtel Living Jakarta Mega Kuningan marks a significant addition to Jakarta’s luxury serviced-residence landscape. What excites you most about leading this flagship property?
Swissôtel Living Jakarta Mega Kuningan represents a new benchmark for extended-stay premium in Indonesia. What excites me most is the opportunity to create a truly distinctive experience, combining Swiss hospitality, a strong focus on well-being, and a modern residential concept. It is rare to have such a premium product in an iconic district like Mega Kuningan, and leading this project allows me to bring together exceptional talent, strong brand values, and a vision for a world-class guest experience.
5. What do you consider the strongest selling points of Swissôtel Living Jakarta Mega Kuningan that set it apart in the competitive Mega Kuningan market?
Our biggest strengths lie in three areas:
-Generously sized, beautifully designed units that blend comfort with understated premium.
-A signature focus on wellness, everything from our amenities to our culinary concepts reflects Swissôtel’s commitment to vitality and balance.
-The warmth and sincerity of the team. Technology and design are important, but ultimately, people create memorable stays. Our team is our strongest differentiator.
6. The Mega Kuningan area is one of Jakarta’s most competitive markets. What will differentiate Swissôtel Living from other luxury residences and hotels in the district?
Our differentiation comes from delivering residential premium with hotel-level sophistication. Guests will feel at home, yet consistently cared for. The open-fire culinary experience at Embers, our curated wellness programs, and Swissôtel’s authentic, uplifting service philosophy create a unique proposition. We are not just offering a place to stay, we are offering a lifestyle rooted in well-being, comfort, and thoughtful details.
7. What advice do you consistently give to young hospitality professionals?
Stay curious, stay humble, and stay people-focused. Skills can be taught, but attitude and passion make the biggest difference. Hospitality is about taking care of others, if you lead with empathy and a willingness to learn, opportunities will follow. And always be ready to step outside your comfort zone. That’s where real growth happens.
8. What hobbies or activities do you enjoy in your free time?
I enjoy activities that allow me to disconnect and recharge, outdoor sports, discovering new places, and spending quality time with my family. I also enjoy exploring new culinary concepts and trends; it helps me stay inspired and continuously rethink the guest experience.
9. What's next for Swissôtel Living Jakarta Mega Kuningan?
We’re entering an exciting phase. Our focus now is on strengthening our presence in the market, enhancing the guest journey, and building strong community connections within Mega Kuningan. We will continue to refine our well-being programs, elevate our culinary experiences, and introduce curated events that showcase the best of Swissôtel’s spirited hospitality. Our ambition is to become the preferred luxury residence for both long-stay and short-stay guests.
10. Looking ahead, what do you see as the next big challenge or opportunity for the hospitality industry in the Asia-Pacific region, and how are you preparing your teams for it?
The biggest opportunity lies in personalization powered by technology, finding ways to offer seamless, intuitive service while still preserving the human touch. The challenge is balancing efficiency with authenticity. I prepare my teams by encouraging adaptability, continuous learning, and a mindset that embraces innovation. Ultimately, success will come from teams that are agile, empowered, and truly committed to delivering meaningful guest experiences.
