Few leaders embody the spirit of modern hospitality as profoundly as Mr. Andrew Tan You Yuan, General Manager of the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore. With over 30 years of global experience across the UK, China, Malaysia, and Singapore, Andrew has shaped his leadership philosophy around warmth, empowerment, and service excellence, principles that have earned him a coveted place among Luxury Lifestyle Awards’ TOP 100 Hotel General Managers for 2025. His strategic vision has propelled the Grand Copthorne Waterfront to new heights.

The Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore, revitalized in 2023, now stands as a renewed landmark along the historic Singapore River. The flagship Millennium Hotels and Resorts property features 573 redesigned rooms, upgraded 67,000 sq ft conference facilities, and dynamic F&B offerings. Its transformation has strengthened its position as a top choice for business and leisure travelers, with strong revenue and performance results showcasing Andrew’s effective leadership and the hotel’s elevated guest experience.

Alexander Chetchikov, President of the World Luxury Chamber of Commerce, leads our exclusive interview. Drawing on more than 17 years of experience recognizing the globe’s most distinguished luxury brands through the Luxury Lifestyle Awards, he offers rich expertise and discerning insight into the dynamic landscape of luxury.

Alexander Chetchikov: Congratulations on being named one of Luxury Lifestyle Awards’ TOP 100 Hotel General Managers for 2025. What does this recognition mean to you?

Mr. Andrew Tan You Yuan: Thank you – this recognition is both humbling and deeply meaningful. I’ve always believed that hospitality is fundamentally a people industry, built on heart and service. So while this award carries my name, it truly belongs to the entire Grand Copthorne Waterfront team. Their dedication, resilience, and commitment to excellence are what make our achievements possible. For me, this acknowledgment reaffirms that when we lead with purpose, empower our people, and stay true to our values, exceptional results follow.

AC: Your career spans more than three decades and multiple continents. How have these diverse experiences shaped your approach to leadership and hospitality?

AT: My 30-year career across the UK, China, Malaysia, and Singapore has taught me that while hospitality is universal, its delivery must be culturally attuned and adaptable. These global experiences shaped my ability to lead with agility, data-driven thinking, and a focus on long-term value. They were instrumental when overseeing the Grand Copthorne Waterfront’s S$40 million transformation, which delivered substantial revenue growth and positioned us as a leading MICE destination.

Working across diverse markets also reinforced my belief that people are at the heart of hospitality. I lead by empowering my team, fostering a continuous-learning culture, and encouraging a ‘yes, can-do’ mindset, an approach that has driven record-breaking performance and elevated guest satisfaction.

Ultimately, my international journey has made me a leader who prioritises innovation, sustainability, and service excellence, ensuring we stay ahead in an ever-evolving industry.

AC: The Grand Copthorne Waterfront recently underwent a significant transformation. What were your core priorities during this project, and what aspect are you personally most proud of?

AT: My primary focus was ensuring that every element of the transformation elevated the guest experience while future-proofing the hotel’s operations. We looked at every detail – from the ergonomics of the guestrooms to the flow of our conference spaces, to make sure the design aligned with the evolving needs of both leisure and MICE travellers.

What I am most proud of is how holistic the transformation is. It wasn’t just a refurbishment; it was a re-imagining of our identity as a flagship property. The refreshed rooms, expanded meeting facilities, and upgraded public spaces now reflect a modern, sophisticated, and highly functional environment that our guests immediately connect with. The strong positive feedback we’ve received and the outstanding commercial results that followed affirm that we made the right decisions.

AC: The renovation led to impressive revenue growth across rooms, catering, and F&B. What key strategies do you credit for this success?

AT: Three strategies were instrumental.

First, strategic revenue optimisation – we aligned pricing with the newly enhanced product value to maximise RevPAR while remaining competitive.

Second, targeted sales and marketing efforts – our teams focused on high-potential MICE segments and strengthened relationships with corporate partners, which significantly boosted the catering and events business.

And third, a refreshed service culture. We invested heavily in training to ensure our people could deliver an experience that matched the new hardware, with a strong emphasis on shifting mindsets – serving every guest with genuine warmth and a great smile. When excellent product meets excellent service, the commercial impact is powerful. The results speak for themselves, with remarkable year-on-year increases across all revenue streams.

AC: You’re known for your people-first philosophy. How do you cultivate a culture of trust, empowerment, and continuous learning among your team?

AT: I’ve always believed that a hotel is only as strong as its weakest link. To build a strong team, you must first create an environment where people feel valued, trusted, and supported.

We empower our colleagues through open communication, regular coaching, and giving them the autonomy to make decisions. We also encourage a “yes, can-do” mindset, an attitude of adaptability and constant learning that is essential in today’s hospitality landscape.

Our structured employee recognition programme plays a big role as well. Celebrating great work is one of the most effective ways to motivate and strengthen team morale. When people feel seen and appreciated, they naturally rise to the occasion.

AC: Sustainability has become a strategic focus for the hotel under your leadership. Can you share more about the innovative, eco-friendly initiatives you’ve implemented?

AT: Sustainability is no longer optional – it’s a responsibility. One of the initiatives I’m most proud of is the installation of Singapore’s first in-room filtered water system, which has reduced 98% of our plastic waste from bottled water. Grand Copthorne Waterfront is the first hotel in Singapore to partner with the Singapore Tourism Board on this purposeful initiative. It’s a simple yet impactful innovation that guests appreciate, and that significantly reduces our environmental footprint.

We’ve also integrated robotics and tech-driven solutions in our F&B operations to help reduce food waste, energy usage, and manpower costs. These innovations not only support our sustainability goals but also improve operational efficiency – a win for both the environment and the business.

AC: As a seasoned general manager, what do you believe sets the Grand Copthorne Waterfront apart in Singapore’s competitive hospitality landscape?

AT: What sets us apart is the blend of scale, flexibility, and heart.

We have a large and versatile footprint with 573 guestrooms, four restaurants, and 33 meeting spaces, which allows us to cater to a wide range of guests and events. But beyond the size of the hotel, it’s our service culture that distinguishes us. We invest deeply in our people, empowering them to deliver authentic, heartfelt service that guests remember.

Our recent transformation has also positioned us as a premier MICE destination, offering state-of-the-art facilities designed for the modern traveller. It’s this combination of hardware excellence and people-driven hospitality that makes the Grand Copthorne Waterfront truly stand out.

AC: And finally, what is your vision for the future of the hotel, and what can guests expect in the coming years?

AT: My vision is for the Grand Copthorne Waterfront to lead the next chapter of hospitality in Singapore – one defined by innovation, sustainability, and world-class guest experiences.

Guests can expect even greater personalisation, enhanced digital integration, and new concepts across our F&B and events offerings. We will continue investing in our people, technology, and sustainability efforts to ensure that we remain relevant, competitive, and future-ready.

Ultimately, my goal is simple: to make the Grand Copthorne Waterfront a place where guests feel genuinely cared for, where colleagues feel inspired by our experiences, and where excellence is a daily standard, not an aspiration.

Thank you, Mr. Andrew Tan, for sharing your insights and for your remarkable contributions to hospitality.

Ready to experience the Grand Copthorne Waterfront’s newly transformed luxury? Book your stay at: https://www.millenniumhotels.com/en/singapore/grand-copthorne-waterfront/