Talking to...Udo Doring

Throughout the 1990s, during his sons’ summer vacation from boarding school in Australia, the Doring family often spent weeks touring the Western United States in an RV motor home, an obvious passion for the German. As we swap stories about road-tripping in America, he boasts, “We have properly seen more National Parks than the average American.” He is quick to add, “I have been very lucky that I have a wife who loves travelling the world.”

After tours of duty at hotels in Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, as well as Xiamen Guangzhou, Xian, Doring took the reins at The Longemont Shanghai in July of 2008. “It’s very interesting to run an independent hotel and work directly for the owner,” he says. “You can really do things the way you like or the way you think they should be. With us it has very much paid off.”

He compares his large staff to a family. “We all work together – we all share the same motivations,” he says. “It does not feel like working here, more like living.” He leads by example; often you can find him in the lobby greeting guests and tenants from the offices who share floors six through 25 of The Longemont’s 53 storey tower – and are also able to benefit from the hotel’s provided services. “What is most important is that our guests come back, that we hear positive comments and that we know we are doing most things right.”

He seems very much at ease with the responsibilities that come with running The Longemont Shanghai, a 511-room hotel famous for its bespoke hospitality. And after speaking to his employees, it becomes apparent that Doring’s energy and enthusiasm are an inspiration to staff and guests alike. Perhaps that is why one of his sons so eagerly followed him into the industry, although Doring laughs off the notion that he encouraged this.

Asia has been Doring’s neighbourhood for the past 30 years and Shanghai has quickly become his home. He loves its chaotic vigour, potential and infinite ambition; his long road seems to have finally reached its destination. Journey over, these days he is content with long, leisurely bicycle rides with his wife through our city’s leafy, storied streets.

The Longemont Shanghai, 1116 Yan’an Xi Lu. Tel: 6115 9988. Web: www.thelongemonthotels.com. Email: [email protected]