Singaporean Desmond Tan has lived in China for almost a decade. The veteran hotelier is now in charge of one of the top-ranked business and leisure hotels in Kunming, Yunnan province - the Grand Park Kunming Hotel (GPKH).

"I chose Kunming because I love it. I've brought my family here, too," the 40-year-old says. "My wife and two children truly enjoy the beauty and weather of this city."

Tan was earlier director of sales and marketing for Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts China in Lijiang, another city in Yunnan that's known as the "Venice of the East".

His excellent performance there caught the attention of the Singapore-based Park Hotel Group, while the group's staff-oriented management drew Tan to GPKH, where he was appointed general manager in March 2008.

GPKH, located in downtown Kunming, offers a splendid view of the Green Lake and is favored by both high-end business travelers and tourists.

"Foreigners often find themselves at home here because of our dedicated service and language fluency," Tan says.

He compares the hotel to a "global village" that draws patrons from many cultures.

In the past year and a half, since Tan took the reins, the hotel's room occupancy has met the group's target, despite the slowdown in the global economy.

But Tan has set his sights higher.

Having spent 10 years in the hotel business in China, he has a clear idea of the future of GPKH.

"Although there are countless hotels in Kunming, current competition among the high-level ones is not that intense," Tan says. "My goal is to take the service of Park Kunming to a new height."

Tan believes that while Chinese hotels have largely got the "hardware" fixed, it is the quality of the "software" that is harder to maintain and of critical importance.

At GPKH, every need of the guests is carefully attended to. If a guest gets up in the morning and suddenly discovers an appetite for beefsteak, stir-fried tomato and egg, and rice, says Tan, all he has to do is leave a message. When he returns at noon, he is sure to find a treat waiting for him.

In his spare time, Tan listens to music or plays golf or badminton with friends.

"I am happy every day for the full support of my staff and family, and hope business gets even better, so I can spare more time for my wife and children," Tan says.