I have just had the pleasure of meeting Abigail Tan, the CEO of U.K., Europe and North America for St Giles Hotels – writes Skier & Snowboarder editor Frank ‘Scoop’ Baldwin.
OFFICE CHAT: Abigail and Frank in front of her Whistler art
We met at St Giles Hotel in London to talk about her love for skiing (look out for a future My Perfect Day feature on Abigail) and as you can see from the photo here, she even has a special piece of art from Whistler in Canada on her office wall.
But it turns out skiing is just one of the many things Abigail is passionate about. She also flies a helicopter, likes boxing, rides her motorbikes around London and New York, plays guitar – and jumps off the side of buldings!
She is currently in London preparing for the third annual charity Abseil Event on Friday, 15 November, when she is inviting guests staying at St Giles London hotel – and anyone else who wants to take part – to join her in a repel (or abseil) down 15 floors of the famed brutalist high-rise building in Bedford Avenue in what is claimed to be the world’s first-ever bed, breakfast and abseil package.
FIRST RUN: Abigail prepares to descend at the first event in 2017
The ‘Room with a View’ Abseil Package includes a one night stay, breakfast and the abseil, is offered at 15% off the Best Available Room Rate. The package, which includes the guided abseil and a £50 donation pledge (participation fee), will benefit local charity – Street Child United.
For anyone who wants to abseil without staying at the hotel, they can reserve their spot at £80 by contacting Olivia Barry at obarry@stgiles.com.
More info at: www.stgilesabseil.com
St Giles Hotels London stands at over 164 feet tall, equivalent to nearly 30 black cabs stacked on top of each other. The bold Abseilers also will experience unparalleled views of London and beyond, reaching nearly 15 miles before landing on Tottenham Court Road. They’ll enjoy sweeping views of Centrepoint, London Eye, The Shard, The Gherkin and the British Museum as they repel down the hotel.
And for any nervous guests who are unsure if they should give it a try, Abigail herself will be the first to make the first abseil – along with the artist Pegasus, who has custom curated artwork throughout St Giles Hotels worldwide.
First Abseil: 10 am
Last Abseil: 3 pm
St Giles Hotels partners with Dave Talbot Adventures which runs and operates the Abseil.
The package requires a guest book stay from 14 – 15 November 2019 and can be booked online here: www.stgilesabseil.com
If you would like to donate to the charity CLICK HERE
Street Child United
The Abseil experience was created as part of St Giles Hotels’ Hotels with Heart initiative to benefit local charities, where proceeds from this year’s Abseil bookings will benefit Street Child United.
Street Child United uses the power of sport to provide a global platform for street children to be heard, so they can receive the protection, support and opportunities that every child is entitled to. Across the world there are street-connected young people living on, working in or at risk of the streets. These children and young people are stigmatised, mistreated and marginalised by society. They are routinely denied their basic human rights. Their voices are rarely heard.
Ahead of the world’s biggest sporting competitions, Street Child United organises international sports events inviting street children to be at the centre of the call for their rights, challenging the way street children are negatively seen and treated around the world. Street Child United are the proud organisers of the Street Child World Cup and Street Child Cricket World Cup.
Abigail Tan – CEO of U.K., Europe & North America for St Giles Hotels
Abigail is not your average hotelier. Apart from being born into a renowned Malaysian hospitality family and having a deep passion for the industry, in her spare time she’s flying a helicopter, repelling off skyscrapers, playing the electric guitar, boxing or riding her motorcycle around London, or quite possibly eating as a self-proclaimed foodie.
In addition to her enthusiasm for the business and life in general, Abigail is also passionate about giving back to her community and the communities within which St Giles has hotels.
Hotels with a Heart, a charity initiative at St Giles Hotels, was born out of Abigail’s desire for the brand to not just be a portfolio of hotels, but a collection of people, faces and lives that together are inspired to make a positive impact locally.
Through fundraising efforts, she and her staff get involved to raise the support and funds needed to help primarily underprivileged children and foster education and creative opportunities that enrich the soul and spirit.
About St Giles Hotels
With nine hotels across Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America, the St Giles family of hotels invites business and leisure travellers to experience the most central locations in the hearts of major cities around the world.
St Giles is uniquely positioned to provide the attentive service and charm of boutique hotels, with the signature St Giles Experience of warm, authentic and locally-rooted hospitality. St Giles Hotels recognises that every guest has individual needs and style, which is why the group’s portfolio spans three levels of service: Three Star, Four Star.
For more information or to make a reservation, go to: www.StGilesHotels.com
Follow St Giles Hotels on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube @stgileshotels
TEAM TALK: Guests take in the great views of London while getting instructions from the abseil experts
Categories: Holiday News & Special Offers