BUSINESSWOMAN Cristina Thevenaz is someone who knows how to have a crackling good time wherever she goes. But then, it's easy for her - she is head of a firm that makes exquisite timepieces.
She is the chief executive of Delaneau, a 127-year-old Swiss watchmaker known for women's watches featuring enamel painting or engraving, all painstakingly done by hand.
She was in town last weekend to display her company's wares at Tempus - The Temple Of Time, a luxury-timepiece exhibition at the Raffles City Convention Centre.
Some of her artists showed off their skills in painting watch-dials using a 17th-century technique from Geneva. There are only seven such artists in the world.
Thevenaz, 42, who is of German and Spanish parentage, is a divorcee with three daughters aged nine to 11.
She is based in Geneva but flies frequently to Asia, the United States and Europe for work
Which is the best hotel you've stayed in?
I like small charming hotels, not huge ones, and hotels which are peaceful, clean and friendly. It's not about the architecture or decor.
I like the Aman Resorts chain; be it their resort in Phuket or Bali, the service is excellent. You won't feel like just another customer.
Even when it's just a matter of bringing you a glass of water, they present it to you with an orchid. The staff are very friendly and make you feel at home.
The Four Seasons Hotel in New York also has very good service and is well-located so it's convenient to go anywhere.
What's the worst hotel you've stayed in?
One that I can't remember the name of, but which was in Iran. I stayed in this hotel in 1994.
Iran is a beautiful country but, at that time, it was not open to tourism yet and the hotels were bad. This was in a small town and the staff did not know how to cater to tourists.
The room was dirty and there were cockroaches in the bathroom.
What facilities can't you do without in a hotel?
I enjoy spas very much. A massage is especially good when you are suffering from jet lag. To me, that's also part of the service of the hotel - serving the well-being of the guest.
The room-service menu is also extremely important when you're too tired to go out to eat.
Service seems very important to you. Do you have any particular grouses about hotels?
One thing that irks me is asking for an extension for check-out.
Sometimes, just before a flight or after a meeting, you wish to have a shower first but you don't have access to the room anymore. You have to pay for an extra night if you want those few additional hours.
They should have some arrangement for those travelling on such a tight schedule.
Ever had an experience where the hotel overcharged you or billed you for stuff you did not consume?
Yes, but there were not many problems and they were easily resolved. It's all about being friendly to others.
If you treat them nicely, they'll treat you the same way and the problem can then be easily settled.
But if you argue with them or raise your voice, things will become worse.
Ever had any interesting experiences while staying in a hotel?
I bumped into Hollywood actor Bruce Willis in the Four Seasons Hotel in New York in 2002. He probably doesn't remember it, but he ran behind me and teased me about the transparent skirt I was wearing, and we laughed.
"You have a beautiful skirt," he said.
"Thanks. Nice shoes," I replied, but he was actually wearing a crappy pair of sneakers.
What's the best hotel restaurant you've been to?
I hardly eat in hotels, and when I do, I opt for room service. And, again, Four Seasons has the best room-service menu. The quality of the food and the wine list were good.
Be honest now, do you ever cart home hotel freebies?
Yes, sometimes, when the soap is beautiful - I like to take the little soaps when they smell good. I used to collect matches but now they don't have them anymore.
