Leadership in Luxury: How Esther Oh Kostecky is Elevating Four Seasons New Orleans to Global Prominence

TODAY'S INSPIRATION: Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans welcomes renowned talent from across the globe for a week of vibrant programming, featuring exclusive collaborations between the Hotel’s award-winning venues and some of the world’s most celebrated mixologists.

The Leading Hoteliers Network, which has closely followed the Hotel’s journey, highlights Esther Oh Kostecky, General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans, for her outstanding leadership. Here, we take a closer look at her inspiring career, drawing insights from Four Seasons’ own media highlights.

Esther Oh Kostecky, General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans

"I’ve always held a heartfelt appreciation for hospitality throughout my Four Seasons journey. It’s inspiring how, wherever we are in the world, we’re bound by the same devotion to service.”

Born in Seoul, Korea, Oh Kostecky traces her interest in travel from a lifelong passion for other cultures. In 1999, with a Hotel Administration degree under her belt from the University of Las Vegas, she was ready to commence her career upon learning from a Four Seasons recruiter of the new property set to open somewhere quite familiar – Seoul, Korea. Intrigued and hopeful, Oh Kostecky interviewed and was told the company desired local talent, but that the wait might be a couple of years.

It turned out to be 15, but Oh Kostecky had already jumped in, starting with Four Seasons in Los Angeles and then moving up on the Rooms side of operations at properties across the US. In 2011 she joined her husband, who she met in LA, in opening Four Seasons first sub-Saharan address in the Serengeti of Africa. She was Director of Lodge Projects; he was General Manager.

During her time as the Director of Lodge Projects, Oh Kostecky focused all of her efforts on engaging with the community, not only embodying its culture herself, but integrating it with the identity of the Four Seasons property to ensure it also encompassed an Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) focus, to conduct community outreach to hospitals, orphanages, and schools, and working with the local government and research centres.

She propelled the new property to success, opening the door to her next long-awaited opportunity.

When Four Seasons at last began welcoming guests in Seoul in 2015, Oh Kostecky served first as Director of Rooms, then was quickly promoted to Hotel Manager. As in every country, Korea has its own style of hospitality, but she quickly realized the best way to deliver a Four Seasons experience was to provide plenty of learning materials to team members, quiz them on the same, and encourage them above all else to be genuine in their interactions with guests. “That holds true everywhere in the world: How much you care does not change.”

Esther is taking the next step in her career as she embraces her first role as General Manager at Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans in the heart of the Crescent City. Amid the resurgence of global travel, she has quickly found her footing, eager to immerse herself in the vibrant culture and renowned gastronomy of New Orleans. “I was excited to join the exceptional team at Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans and immerse myself in the community,” Esther says. “Throughout my journey with Four Seasons, whereever the location, the heart for hospitality is always the same. This city’s spirit and the Hotel’s commitment to genuine service are an ideal match, and I'm proud of the excellent experience we’ve built here in New Orleans.” With a supportive team and a dedication to authentic hospitality, she continues to inspire the staff and welcome guests, embodying the true spirit of Four Seasons in this dynamic city.

Oh Kostecky savours time with her husband, now retired from the hotel scene and pursuing his dream of photography. “He gave me support when I was in Seoul, and I’m happy to do the same for him.” She also spends time at tennis, practicing yoga, and hiking – lots of hiking. “There are hundreds of trails here. You don’t have to go far to be surrounded by nature. I love the way it empties my mind. Read more here

Four Seasons Tenure

• Since 1999

• First Four Seasons Assignment: Assistant Manager in Training, Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills

Employment History

• Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills; Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club, Surfside, Florida; Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane; Four Seasons Hotel Seoul; Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia (formerly a Four Seasons hotel); Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti; Bilila Lodge, Serengeti National Park; Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel; Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley at East Palo Alto; Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco; The Pierre (formerly a Four Seasons hotel), New York; Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills

Education

• Bachelor of Science, Hotel Administration, University of Nevada, Las Vegas; General Managers Program, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York

Birthplace

• Seoul, Korea

Languages

• Korean, English

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