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Shane Krige is a constant burning fire of passion for his work, life and play and November 2005, he celebrated his first year as general manager of The Mansion on Turtle Creek - A Rosewood Hotel. He is as enthusiastic and friendly when greeting guests as he was during our interview. If your experience at The Mansion on Turtle Creek doesn't meet expectations, tell him. He wants to know. Really. Tish, his wife, and he have two children, Shane Robin Krige II, "J.R." and newborn Madeleline Ryan Krige. We dish out some scoop on how they love to entertain, his passion for motocross and cooking on his Hasty Bake.

Shane Krige Photo: Shannon Mayer Faulk

Shane Krige is a South African who came to the US to go to hotel restaurant school many years ago and is a naturalized US citizen. Living all over the world, he's worked for the best: Ritz Carlton in Washington D.C. and helped open the new Ritz in Georgetown just outside of D.C., developing their food and beverage concept. Most recently he spent two years in London as manager of the Grosvenor Hotel, a 600-room hotel on Park Lane, living in the hotel with his wife, Tish and family, son, Shane Robin Krige II, "J.R." for a year.

"That was one of the funny things about this opportunity at The Mansion, was, thinking one night, 'There's this opportunity in Dallas, obviously knowing about The Mansion on Turtle Creek, but Dallas, Texas' ... obviously all the stars were in alignment," Krige said.

Talking about stars:
In 2006 The Mansion on Turtle Creek- A Rosewood Hotel received the Mobile Five-Star for the 17th year in a row.

"It's a huge accolade. We live to fulfill that dream. It's through the people we have employed with us. We have a lot of tenured staff. Our concierges are the best in the city. The hotel continues to do well. The restaurant is doing very well."

One of the favorite parts of his job is meeting the people at the special events at The Mansion. Another favorite is working with Dean, a cornerstone of The Mansion.

Krige has only been in the hospitality industry for about 15 years, much of it in 5 star hotels. He was one of the youngest guys in his class to do an internship. He believes hard work pays off.

"But I can't do it by myself. I've learned that before. We have a very seasoned mature staff who have known the clientele for many, many years. This business is all about relationships: employees, clientele and guests. There is nothing more rewarding than welcoming them back into your home. I have a love for the business. There is no other business I'd rather be in."

Motocross - the 60 foot jumps
He has played rugby, tennis and was an avid soccer player, but his favorite sport is racing motocross, you know, racing motorcycles. Transforming from a suit with a pocketchief to racing motorcycles and jumping 60-foot jumps is his release. An avid racer in South Africa, Texas is the perfect terrain. It's his pressure release.

Friends and family:
Finding a home in Dallas was a bit of a challenge. Finally, one day when Krige and his wife were touring with the real estate agent, they pulled into a neighborhood and immediately knew this is where they wanted to live. It was Halloween and the sight of the families out trick-or-treating together, children playing, running around in costume, made them feel right at home and that's where they live today.

"The people are so friendly. The people here are truly genuine," Krige said. "Living in London for two years, I don't think we ever met our neighbors, because it's such a transient city. People are always moving."

Just for fun:

Favorite designer?
"I've become very European in my dress. Three of my suits are tailor-made in London. They are very bold stripes."

Brooks Brothers is also a favorite. There is a salesman there who takes very good care of him.

"It reminds me of The Mansion, because he knows my name. He knows what I like and that's what makes us successful here at The Mansion. It's knowing what people want and being here when they need us. Not being intrusive. Anticipating their needs. People rely on that."

"I love a double vented suit. It should have slanted pockets and a ticket pocket. That should be the standard."

Craziest request?
When the "Saudi visitor" came to stay ... "We reconstructed the whole bathroom on his request. We put a bidet in. We moved furniture. We did more things to make sure that group was accommodated and it was a fantastic high profile dinner," and more.

VIPs?
"I just received a thank you card from Barbara Bush for the Celebration of Reading event that Mrs. Hunt is very involved in. Walking through the lobby with him [former President Bush], too ... how often do you get to have a conversation with someone like that. Barbara called me 'dashing.' "

Cook at home?
"Love to cook at home."

Favorite things?
Dean introduced him to the HastyBake. It smokes, grills, does everything.
"I cook for the whole block. Grilling is one of my favorite things. We love to entertain."

He loves to cook for family and friends, especially in the summertime around the pool.
http://www.hastybake.com

Collections?
Hotel books. Hotel memorabilia.

"I found on ebay an outstanding original Grosvenor House key. With the brass plate on there and it said 'Room 304, if lost in the mail...' it was fantastic."

Wherever he is, he tries to find something unique about hotels. Trisha Wilson's book about the best hotels in the world.

Formula for success?
His relaxation is the business. He goes to other hotels. Watches their execution. Thinks about "How can we take what they do and improve it?"

"I've been successful where I work because of continuous improvement. Not being satisfied with 'OK, this is good. Let's just leave it alone.' I ask 'How can we improve it?' 'Is there another way to look at it?' in a continual effort to anticipate people's needs."

Worst fashion faux pax?
"Oh, yes, when I wore ... and my wife still married me ... I wore a red and white striped polo shirt with a black and white checkered suit and a tie that had no business being on anybody. I wore it to an interview ... this was many years ago... and I still got the job. But that suit is long gone and has since been destroyed." (Laughing.)

Wouldn't travel without what?
His wife. A concierge in his pocket. He always takes a gift for the general manager of whatever hotel they're staying in. The gift is always nicely boxed: Hermes, Bulgari ... something that says he appreciates them.

A time when you felt most on top of the world?
"Right now. It's being at The Mansion. It's being in Dallas, Texas. My wife is pregnant. We will have our second child in January. Life is good."
(Note: Madeleline Ryan Krige was born in January.)

"You can choose to be happy or you can choose to be unhappy. My love of life comes from my wife, to be honest. She's very passionate."

Where do you like to go to relax?
"Definitely the beach. Cayman Islands is one of our favorite spots. Florida. Wherever it's warm. My son has just become a fish. He loves the water, too."

Final words?
He's excited about the pending renovations. The scope of the renovations is still being worked on. It will be done in The Mansion tradition reflecting the key elements the Mansion stands for.

"It's going to be fantastic when it's done."

Some links and news from The Mansion on Turtle Creek, A Rosewood Hotel:

THE MANSION ON TURTLE CREEK, A ROSEWOOD HOTEL
BEAMING WITH FIVE STARS
2006 marks seventeen years Dallas hotel awarded
Mobil Travel Guide's five-star honor, highest rating

DALLAS, TX (October 28, 2005)-The Mansion on Turtle Creek, A Rosewood Hotel, receives the honorable Mobil Travel Guide's five-star award in 2006. This flagship property of Rosewood Hotel tops the standard for elite hotel accommodations, making it one of America's finest luxury hotels.

The Mobil Five-Star Award indicates that a property is among the best in the nation and equipped to provide an unequivocal level of service, quality, and ambience. Only 32 lodgings were awarded the Mobil Five-Star rating this year, and The Mansion on Turtle Creek is the only property in Texas to achieve this rating.

"This award reflects the hard work and dedication that has become a part of our culture for the past 17 years," said Shane Krige, General Manager, The Mansion on Turtle Creek. "We take pride and thank them for over 100 years of combined service."

"We commend these outstanding hotels and restaurants, each of which demonstrates a commitment to superlative service," said Kenneth P. Cohen, Vice President, Public Affairs, Exxon Mobil Corporation. "An ongoing pursuit of hospitality excellence distinguishes these award-winning hotels and restaurants as true Four- and Five-Star properties."

The Mansion on Turtle Creek, A Rosewood Hotel
2821 Turtle Creek Boulevard, Dallas, Texas 75219 USA
"World's Best Business Hotels"
TRAVEL & LEISURE 2004

Important News: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts is pleased to announce the newest addition to its luxury collection: CordeValle, A Rosewood Resort. The secluded sanctuary, nestled in the picturesque California countryside, is infused with country club charm and superb amenities including a world-class golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and a luxurious spa. For more information, please call 888.ROSEWOOD or visit www.rosewoodhotels.com.