Shanghai's hotel landscape is always changing. Hotels are being built in all its districts, creating new zones of business influence.

Originally from Britain, Paul Gill is the General Manager at Eton Hotel, Shanghai. He has 26 years of international hotel experience, with various postings in London, Switzerland, Taiwan, Malaysia and the Philippines. He came to The Eton Hotel directly from Manila, where he had been General Manager of the 500-room Century Park Sheraton Hotel, Manila since January 2003.

How does Eton Hotel differentiate itself from other top-level hotels in Shanghai?
We have a lot of interesting features such as our unique floor atrium, three-level executive floor atrium, modern artwork, spacious bathrooms and pool area.

With our design we have incorporated a lot of unique features in the hotel, this allows guests to discover something new on each visit. This is part of what we mean when we say Discover Eton!

What are some of the challenges to operating a hospitality business in Shanghai and China?
There are always challenges in operating a hotel but the most challenging for the hospitality industry in Shanghai is the retention and development of staff.

How do you plan to expand and handle MICE activities in the coming years?
The MICE market is very important, especially in Pudong and we have positioned ourselves to take advantage of this by incorporating additional meeting space and services required by the business traveller.

What sort of community outreach programs does your hotel take part in throughout the year?
We have close ties with several charitable organizations in the area such as Shanghai Charity Organization Pudong Branch and Pudong Loving Heart Kindergarten.