SINGAPORE — It’s no surprise that as the Asia-Pacific Executive Vice-President for hotel group Worldhotels (which makes its name representing independent properties), Roland Jegge does have a few quirks about the kind of hotels he loves. Then again, accommodation is important as he travels three times a month and looks forward to a real break in beautiful hotels whenever flying’s not for work. “Yes, I practically live out of my suitcase. Luckily I’m based in Singapore, where the airport is fantastic and it’s a breeze to travel from here,” the Swiss enthused. He cited location, location, location as the most essential factor when it comes to choosing a hotel. “It needs to have easy access to public transport, so I don’t have to suffer through a traffic jam. It’s terrible when you’re in the wrong corner of town. On the service side, discrete and attentive staff are always welcome.” SERENE LIM

Q: What’s new with Worldhotels?

A: We have new hotels joining us, such as the upcoming Carlton City Hotel in Tanjong Pagar which will be opening in early August. Expect more hotels in cities such as Suzhou, Wuxi, Chandigarh, too. For us, we’re all about hotels with characters. Also, our hotels aren’t too small or boutique — the smallest hotel under us has about 80 rooms. Travellers are moving away from cookie-cutter hotels. And I think hoteliers reognise that.

Q: Do you have a favourite hotel among the collection?

A: I have a soft spot for Indigo Pearl in Phuket. The villas are wonderful, the Thai service is great and the Coqoon Spa is amazing as the rooms of the spa are suspended and cocooned atop of trees. It’s spread out over a huge space, so you’re constantly discovering new nooks. Another hotel I love is Mesa Stila in Central Java where I went for a retreat. Its reception area is an old railway station and it’s surrounded by lots of nature — volcanoes and forests. It feels so close to the earth. It’s not part of Worldhotels but it’s simply wonderful.

Q: You sound like you’re into wellness.

A: Yeah, I’m rather health conscious. Even more so when I’m travelling. I drink only water on the plane, no alcohol. I start my day in the hotel with some yoga — a 20-minute meditation, stretching and deep breathing session. If the hotel doesn’t have a yoga mat, I’d just use the duvet or a bathroom mat. If the weather is cooler in a city, I’d go for a run. For example, if I’m in Tokyo, I’d jog around the Imperial Palace. I’d have a little gang of hoteliers whom I meet and we’d go for a run together.

Q: Any wellness travel must-haves then?

A: A Philips Energy Light lamp. Your internal clock takes time to adjust, and this helps boost my energy in the morning. It helps me stay fresh when I travel.

Q: Since you hail from Switzerland, what do you suggest travellers do there?

A: Go hiking. I’m such a hiker, and it’s lovely to connect with nature. One of my favourite mountains to hike is Dents Du Midi. It’s behind Chillon Castle at Lake Geneva. You can do a tour — cover it in four days and sleep in the villages. You get vistas of Mont Blanc on one side and lakes on the other. It’s just so beautiful.