Raised in Dublin and trained as a lawyer - Loh Lik Peng returned to Singapore and promptly gave up the legal world to become a hotelier.

His forte – taking old buildings and converting them into designer hotels. What he loves most about the business – seeing the customers' reaction to his creations.

What is the biggest buzz you get out of what you do?

Seeing something tangible and real when the hotels get completed and then seeing people's reactions. You never really know if you are on the right track design and concept-wise until you're finished and people get to see the results.

What do you most dislike about it?

The actual hard grind of operations.

What is your most perfect travel moment?

Arriving at a resort and seeing a perfect azure sea with crystal clear waters. Or having tons of snow and clear blue skies.

What irks you most about travel?

Airports, flying and the transit time.

What is your most treasured souvenir?

Interesting pieces of vintage furniture or curios when I visit second-hand and vintage shops.

Who's the most interesting person you have met in your travels?

Vikram Seth. I met him in a restaurant in London and he spoke perfect Mandarin and was super charming. I also almost decapitated Sean Connery at Heathrow with my skis… Needless to say he didn't seem very impressed with me and the conversation was sharp and dismissive on his part... and extremely apologetic on mine.

Who's the living person you most admire?

Nelson Mandela.

What is the quality you most admire in others?

Perseverance.

What is the talent you would most like to have?

Perseverance!

What do you value most in your friends?

Loyalty and trust.

What's your favourite word?

Damn!

What's your least favourite word?

No.

What's your favourite noise?

This might be embarrassing…

What's your least favourite noise?

Screeching of blackboards.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

I hope there are many more to come but for now getting through with 1929 and the New Majestic and seeing them do well.

What's the one thing you would say to kids?

Shut up? Ha, ha! Depends. If they are my kids, to always take a chance and do something different.

What's the one thing you must do before you die?

To finally run the marathon.

The SHY Report
A regular column on news, trends and issues in the hospitality industry by one of Asia's most respected travel editors and commentators, Yeoh Siew Hoon.

Siew Hoon, who has covered the tourism industry in Asia/Pacific for the past 20 years, runs SHY Ventures Pte Ltd. Her company's mission is "Content, Communication, Connection".

She is a writer, speaker, facilitator, trainer and events producer. She is also an author, having published "Around Asia In 1 Hr: Tales of Condoms, Chillies & Curries". Her motto is ‘free to do, and be'.

Contacts: Tel: 65-63424934, Mobile: 65-96801460

Yeoh Siew Hoon's other writings can be found at www.thetransitcafe.com. Get your weekly cuppa of news, gossip, humour and opinion at Travel's Busiest Junction.