Style Observer (SO): What’s your middle name?

Brian Sang (BS): Anthony.

SO: Describe Brian in a few sentences.

BS: Very personable… I like to make others feel welcomed and valued.

I describe myself as being strong-willed, calmly steering challenges with determination and clarity.

I am a very loyal individual: I like to stand by my friends and principles through thick and thin.

I am a fun person, bringing lighthearted energy and genuine enjoyment to shared moments.

SO: What’s your earliest childhood memory?

BS: My mother’s cooking Chinese stewed pork, going deep sea fishing with my dad, my high school, Cornwall College, and being from Montego Bay, going to Doctor’s Cave Beach every Saturday.

SO: What’s it like being back in Kingston after years on the north coast and overseas?

BS: It’s like being back home, perfect fit for me!

SO: What were your initial impressions of Kingston?

BS: In my early days, I came to Kingston to work at Jamaica Pegasus, ironically, and to attend University. It was city life with bright lights, a tad scary; however, all good experiences.

SO: What was it like preparing the team and hotel for Hurricane Melissa?

BS: Inspiring to see the team come together with one goal to protect the assets of the Jamaica Pegasus, as well as to look after our guests and our valued team members.

SO: What is it like 48 hours post-Melissa and how are things going?

BS: Thankful that our hotel and city were spared, but devastated with the destruction of the central/western part of the island.

SO: Any lessons learnt from Melissa that you’d like to share?

BS: PREPARATION, PREPARATION, PREPARATION!!!!!

SO: You’ve been in the hospitality industry for decades. What have been a few of the obvious changes?

BS: Social media, AI, generational differences and priorities.

SO: What are your thoughts on these changes?

BS: It’s all in context. In my nascent years in the hotel industry, things were always changing … it’s the evolution of life in the industry.

SO: What’s your definition of customer service in 2025?

BS: Delivering on your promises and meeting the customer expectations at the highest level.

SO: Is today’s customer always right?

BS: Yes and no. The customer is always right to expect what is promised: an exceptional service; however, their perception of that may not always be right.

SO: Share with us the title of the last book read.

BS: Just completed reading a bleak and desolate novel
The Stranger by Albert Camus.

SO: What do you do for relaxation?

BS: Playing tennis, hiking, anything to do with the outdoors, cooking for friends and family and enjoying Appleton Estate 21 neat.

SO: Share with us a few of your creature comforts.

BS: A good suit, good friends and great experiences.

SO: You’re heading to the country for the weekend… Where would you be going and what would you be listening to?

BS: To my home in Runaway Bay. While listening to Keyshia Cole, Maxwell and Jaheim.

SO: Which international hotel brand has piqued your interest?

BS: The Ritz-Carlton. They came to Jamaica in the late ‘90s. Being a part of a large brand — Marriott — piqued my interest, the brand differentiation was very interesting for me.

SO: Which fashion designer gets your nod?

BS: Tom Ford and Hugo Boss for suits.

SO: Which cologne are you currently splashing?

BS: Tom Ford Ombre Leather, Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Capri In Love and Mont Blanc Explorer.

SO: Finally, what’s your personal philosophy?

BS: I am a gentleman of a particular age ….”If not now, then when?!”

Appleton Estate 21, neat Karl McLarty

Jamaica Pegasus bartender Duval Rose pours Appleton Estate 21. Karl McLarty

American fashion designer Tom Ford gets Sang’s nod for suits….

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Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Capri In Love.

The Stranger by Albert Camus .

Currently splashing? Tom Ford Ombre Leather….