Having fun is a serious business here

Bombi is almost an institution at the Hard Rock Pattaya. The ladyboy is almost everywhere – at the lobby, the pool the activity area, the lounge, the restaurant, posing with guests in poses that would put many a women to shame and even walking you out to the road to send you off.



Beneath the gender bending exterior, Bombi is an extremely talented staff member at this music-themed resort – one that preaches and practices recruitment policies that doesn’t discriminate anyone.



“We don’t hire people by experience but by their character and personality,” said Siritorn Kraivisutsap, the director of marketing communications, who handled recruitment for the hotel before she moved into this role.



In fact, Hard Rock Pattaya is the first hotel in Thailand to employ a ladyboy.

Bombi isn’t the only exceptional talent. Over at the high-energy American rock n’ roll Hard Rock Café (part of the hotel) is Pound. Now there’s no pun intended but the 23-year old waiter really weights a tonne – 120 kgs! The hotel had to even tailor make his uniform since the regular ones won’t fit. He couldn’t find a job elsewhere because of his physique but Hard Rock took him.



“It’s not just being a good hotel but also the best employer. We look for the diamonds in the mud – we pick them up and train them. They know that if they work hard, they can play hard,” said Siritorn.



Being different and unusual has become the norm at Hard Rock Pattaya – only the second in the chain in Asia (the other being in Bali).



Staff members who mingle with guests are called rock agents (ala GOs at Club Med villages); guests are stars; meetings are rap sessions; key cards are stage passes – the lingo may take a little while to trickle down but the rock agents make sure you’re the star.



“The rock agents not only entertain, they also take part in ice-breaker activities or they might suddenly appear in a Marilyn Monroe costume – it’s really being different,” she said.



You’ll see the difference in the rooms, where oversized bed heads feature music’s famous personalities and the Hard Rock Hotel logo adorns the pillows and bedspreads.



The 320-room property is getting renewed interest with the Tourism Authority of Thailand focuses its attention to this city. In April, the PATA conference was staged here, showcasing the destination to the industry’s decision-makers. Pattaya will again be hosting another business events trade show in October – IT&CMA. In fact with the opening of the new Suvarnabhumi airport, Pattaya is easier and faster to reach.



“We expect more MICE visitors to avoid the Bangkok traffic and come here. Instead of staying in Bangkok and making a day trip to Pattaya, why not do it the other way.”



Holding meetings here is anything but boring. With memorabilia-filled meeting rooms such as “Fillmore”, “Graceland”, “Stones”, “Zeppelin” to a musically-themed Hall of Fame, you wonder if corporate guest are discussing or gawking at the déco



“There are no boring seminars here. Guests love to take photos at the Hall of Fame because it reminds them of the good times.”



Asked how it felt being situated in a city known for its unsavoury activities, Siritorn said in fact the hotel is very family-oriented, It has a Lil’ Rock Club catering to children from 3-12 and there are regular activities to keep the little ones occupied.







HARD ROCK LINGO



• Autograph: Signature

• Back Stage: Areas reserved for employee only

• Band member: Employee

• On stage: All areas accessible for customers

• Lil’ Rocker: Young guest

• Superstar: VIP guest

• Costume: Uniform

• Rap session: Meeting

• The show: The hotel's opoeration