Your Fast-track to Success – Daniel Fleming

It took self-confessed hotel geek Daniel Fleming less than a decade to go from PIHMS student to co-owner of King & Queen Hotel Suites, the boutique European hotel in New Plymouth’s West End Precinct that has been named one of the world’s best luxury brands.

“If you’re in law or finance it takes a long time to build up to become a partner. The wonderful thing about hotels is that there are so many opportunities, and so many hotels around the world, that at a young age you can progress really quickly. It’s quite realistic to become a general manager in your 20s,” says Daniel who was a head of department at 21, a GM at 24 and a co-owner by 28.

As a genuine people person with a head for business and a creative mind, Daniel knew Hotel Management was the career for him when he left high school.

“I’ve always loved and been fascinated by hotels since I was really young. I love the energy they have. The buzz of a busy lobby, the inviting smell of fresh coffee brewing, the exciting atmosphere filled with conversation and laughter. Each hotel is a unique world filled with possibilities and experiences just waiting to be discovered.”

“I picked PIHMS over University or other places because of its fully simulated hotel campus where you get to be a staff member, a guest and a student.”

Aside from having very real learning benefits, the simulated environment means student life at PIHMS is more like living in a bustling hotel than a crowded hostel.

“The PIHMS experience is wonderful. Obviously it’s a great course, but living and working in a simulated hotel environment means you get to live and breathe the hotel life — which is really exciting. Plus the food is really, really good,” Daniel laughs.

“The student life was awesome too. It’s a whole lot of fun and I think that’s a reflection of the industry in general. We have a great time. Everyone works hard and plays hard and we love what we do.”

Daniel says the experience he gained at PIHMS and during his paid industry placements, as well as the network of contacts made during his study, undoubtedly helped him fast track his career.

“PIHMS really taught me to build connections and be open minded about the opportunities. Training in simulated environments — housekeeping, food and beverage, front office, sales and marketing ,events and special projects  — really sets you up perfectly for how the industry is.”

After graduating in 2009, Daniel worked at the premiere InterContinental Wellington, becoming a department head at only 21. However the chance to join King & Queen Hotel Suites lured him back to Taranaki. In what he describes as one of his biggest career highlights, Daniel took on the role of pre-opening general manager in 2013.

“I came on board six months before we opened. At that stage we had just the timber framing up. My job was to hire the team, set up all the systems, I bought the first computer, made the first file and we got going. I remember the first week thinking ‘I hope this is going to work out.”

Work out it did. From night one, guests loved the luxury European oasis Daniel and his team created. Word quickly spread and within 3 months King & Queen was breaking even. Daniel’s passion and professionalism soon secured him the opportunity to become a co-owner in the business and explore a range of opportunities to expand their offering.

“We’ve gone from 17 to 34 rooms here onsite. Within our portfolio we manage a couple of other properties in town, so have about 45 rooms under our management. We’ve also got a little e-bike hire fleet, some commercial property and we’re looking at some wonderful growth in the future around inner city living, more hotel rooms and continuing to grow the West End Precinct,” Daniel enthuses.

He says he would absolutely recommend both a career in hotel management and study at PIHMS to any young person who wants to work in a rewarding, thriving industry where they have the chance to progress rapidly.

“We have a really fun job that’s combined with a really exciting business. The passion that people bring to this industry is incredible. It’s infectious. And you get to meet so many cool people from around the world. Everyone has a story and the reward is there every day.”