4 minute read
One on One
Caroline Klein
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THE BASICS
Name: Caroline Klein Title: Chief communications officer Company, city: Preferred Hotels & Resorts; Newport Beach, California First job: In high school I ran the morning drive-through at Einstein’s Bagels. Where to next: My next confirmed trip starts with a long weekend at the newly opened Montage Big Sky before flying to Hawai’i for a bleisure trip that starts with Preferred’s Leadership Summit in Honolulu and ends with a weekend flying to two different islands to hike both of the state’s national parks.
A LITTLE BIT MORE What actor or actress would play
you in a movie of your life? An aspirational request would be Jessica Chastain. She’s chic, earnest, stays consistent with her values, commands respect and speaks her truth. She is a strong female personality.
What would you be doing professionally if you weren’t in your
current industry? An executive producer for a morning news program — I already run at that frenetic pace.
What is your favorite book, movie
or television show? Life, on the Line by Grant Achatz is the ultimate story of resilience, work ethic and artistic genius, told with refreshing, unapologetic honesty. Restaurant and chef culture have always fascinated me.
What historical figure, dead or alive, would you love to have dinner
with? Anna Wintour; despite her public persona, there’s still mystery about her.
THE BUSINESS What is your most recent project, and what was the inspiration
behind it? Our newest brand, Beyond Green, is a portfolio of Earth’s most sustainable hotels, launched in April 2021. Even before the pandemic, our ownership, the Ueberroth family, committed to building a better future for travel in a way that protects the planet for future generations. It is a testament to their leadership and foresight to see how the industry and global travel community embraced the brand.
What is your favorite aspect of
the job? First, it allows me to marry my two passions, storytelling and travel, daily. Second, the people! I find inspiration in interacting with counterparts all over the world regularly. The global lessons about life, business and regional culture and traditions have been invaluable.
What’s the biggest business
risk you’ve ever taken? Leaving a secure position at one prominent, established hospitality PR agency to start a new one with my former boss. I went from an account support role to the No. 2 person in a week, had to learn how to run a business and manage team members, and discovered my passion for building brands and new business. Most importantly, that experience showed me what I need to feel passionate and fulfilled, and that led me to Preferred.
Who is someone you admire professionally in the travel industry?
Jacqui Gifford, editor in chief of Travel + Leisure. An incredibly kind, welcoming and humble person, she wields her influence as a master storyteller to consistently champion travel (even when that concept goes against popular opinion, like at the onset of the pandemic).
AS A TRAVELER Tell us about a travel nightmare:
Eight miles into a solo hike in Oman’s Jebel Akhdar, a torrential downpour came out of nowhere — no cover or another living being for miles. The trail was not marked on the way back and, even if I had cellphone service, there was no way someone could get me. I have never been more grateful for the comforts of a luxury hotel as I was that night.
Share a comical travel experi-
ence: I took a 12-night solo trip to the Maldives. I booked a special Solo Experience at my second resort with a lot of amenities that sounded incredible. However, it was not until I was in the moment that I realized how awkward it was to Dine in the Dark while blindfolded with a waiter watching me fumble my food and guess what I was eating.
What is your preferred method of travel — planes, trains, automo-
biles, cruise ships — and why? I love to fly for the sake of efficiency; our time is too precious and I value the uninterrupted hours to work, sleep or just think with no distractions. Actually, the only person I’ve ever really talked to on an airplane is now my boyfriend! As a hopeless romantic, I also love train travel.
What has been the best example of customer service you’ve expe-
rienced during your travels? I had an unexpected stopover in Amsterdam after several flight cancellations and a loss of baggage. When I checked into The Pulitzer Amsterdam late that evening, the front desk manager smiled, said they had a surprise for me and walked me to my room. They looked at my social media to learn I was a passionate reader and upgraded me to the Book Collector’s Suite. I was so in awe of the suite and gesture, it immediately changed my mood.
