The Upper House GM shares the secrets to a seamless ride
Hotelier extraordinaire Kristina Snaith-Lense knows a thing or two about travel style As general manager of The Upper House Hong Kong, recently named number four in the World’s 50 Best Hotels Awards, Kristina is your quintessential ‘Third Culture kid’. The ever-glamorous mother of three (all under the age of 5) was born in White Plains, New York to a British father and an Indian mother. Raised in Hong Kong, she attended boarding school in the UK, and received degrees from the University of Bristol and École Hôtelière de Lausanne, both of which fueled her kaleidoscopic cultural outlook and passion for hospitality.
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What is the place that means the most to you?
Hong Kong is my favorite city in the world without a doubt. St John’s Church in Garden Road is an oasis of calm in the middle of the city. It holds a special place in my heart; My three children were baptized here, my husband and I had our wedding blessing here, and my paternal grandparents were married here as well.
As someone who travels a lot, what are some things you do to make it as seamless as possible?
Planning ahead is my preference! We book our flights more than 6 months for family trips, with restaurants and every day activity ideally pre-booked. Begin the packing process at least a week in advance. For work trips, day and night clothes are planned by day with shoes and accessories with two extra clothes for emergencies! I have a medicine bag full of supplements and natural remedies for the kids and us. We take extra vitamin C on the flight and swear by Quicksilver Scientific Immune Charge throat spray. When traveling as a family, we always take a long-haul night flight to ensure maximum sleep potential, ideally landing between 9-11pm and everyone in their pajamas before leaving the house, and me in my compression socks ( massive help). if you are prone to bloating)! Ideally, leave the house at least 3 hours before the departure of the flight; I hate feeling rushed or running late. Once we arrive, we totally relax with the kids first and try as much as possible to keep the timing of the home routine. As a type A “controller”, I really need to manage my expectations to try to be as smooth as possible, especially while traveling as a gang of 5+. It is an amazing thing to see the world through the eyes of your children; it makes me much more appreciative of being present, and of not sweating too much if things don’t go to plan!
What’s one travel indulgence you refuse to give up?
I recently regained my Silver Status with Cathay, so I’m very happy to be able to enjoy the best Dan Dan noodles again before flying!
Do you have a strategy for fitting everything into a suitcase?
I am a terrible packer, more is more, so it is absolutely not possible! My husband grimaces every time the luggage comes out!
Upper House just won number 4 in the world’s 50 Best Hotels Awards; What do you think sets the hotel apart?
We are very grateful and feel truly honored to be included in this fantastic list of hotels. To have two Hong Kong hotels in the top five is incredible and an incredible achievement for the Hong Kong hospitality industry collectively.
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Our people are at the heart and soul of our House, of what we do, and the reason why we are “House not Hotels”. Spending time with our teams is absolutely the best thing I get to do; they are wonderful people who embrace and celebrate that every day and every guest is different. Hand on heart, I believe in the culture of the people of Swire Hotels; is truly special, built on the goal of “thinking differently” in everything we do, including hiring. For our frontline team members, what is most important to us is a high level of EQ – someone who shows empathy and derives energy in connection with people.
The human touch
What is something that you have found that makes the biggest difference with your guests?
The human touch. Taking the time to say hello in person, be visible in our guest areas, have coffee or lunch together to really connect person to person. Guests expect more personalized services, which are rooted in the DNA of the Upper House brand: celebrating the authentic, unscripted and unforgettable experiences that truly set us apart. Making sure our guests feel at home with us remains at the heart of what we do, and every detail has been carefully designed with this in mind. Our House team enjoys nothing more than curating unique experiences tailored to guests’ specific interests. We want them to fall in love with the side of Hong Kong that resonates most with them. We hope to create beautiful memories so that guests have a story to tell about their stay with us.
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With such a people-facing role, what do you like to do to wind down and take a moment for yourself?
In addition to my morning exercise routine, I have found more spiritual practices that work well for me and are deeply embedded in my habits. These include regular crystal sound healing, meditation, and reiki with Stephen and Pervin Clasper at Shakti Healing Circle, where I have been going for over 13 years. I’ve been trying to improve my breathing and recently met an incredible teacher in Anastasia Williams. Our home wellness residencies have really blossomed in recent years, making these experiences much easier to dip in and out of during my work day. My personal interest in holistic health made this a true passion project, and it was a privilege to partner with some of the city’s most iconic names in wellness, such as Lindsay Jang, Joyce Tsang and Rinat Perlman.
Recs in Hong Kong and abroad
What is a must-see in Hong Kong for those who visit?
In nature, the Siu Ma Shan hiking trail includes a splendid waterfall climbing experience. In town, M+, a world-class museum and cultural destination in Hong Kong.
The best island destination or resort?
Menorca in the Balearic Islands is a slice of heaven and thus unspoiled by tourism. Amazing beaches and water. Also, Hauser & Wirth’s location on historic Illa del Rei is absolutely magnificent. It is such a unique artistic and cultural experience.
The best shopping destination?
Alone! Fashion, skincare, and great food on the go. You can also shop 24 hours a day!
What destination do you think everyone should visit?
Barcelona; one of my all time favorite European cities where I lived in my twenties. The food, the culture, the people and the weather are just incredible and the city is so full of life that you never want to go home.
What destinations are on your bucket list?
New Zealand and Margaret River is on the list for next year with the family. I would also like to do a solo trip with my husband, through India at some point.
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