Darryn Pypers grew up in Cape Town where he also completed his schooling so, Cape Town is deeply etched in his heart and is part of who he is.
It’s been a while since he last lived in the Cape, having studied at the International Hotel School in Cape Town before taking his first job at Protea Hotel Durbanville.
More recently, he has been at another of Sun International’s SunLux hotels, The Palace at Sun City. He was the Hotel Duty Manager there for three years. His passion for people, attention to detail, and his no-fuss way of solving problems, even under pressure, earned him favour amongst the hotel’s high profile guests, so much so that he received a letter of commendation from The South African Presidency.
“My journey with Sun International so far has been an exciting roller coaster ride of learning, growing and of course great fun. Being based at one of the most prestigious hotels in Africa and working with different people from all over the world, was quite a big step in my career.
I was responsible of taking care of guests’ every need which could be challenging at times. However, these challenges meant only positive things for me as a person and for my career. I found it rewarding to interact with and meet new people, to network, find solutions, create experiences, and be an ambassador
for the hotel."
Back in the Cape, working at what is deemed Cape Town’s Best Address, Pypers says he is ecstatic and anxious at the same time.
“The Table Bay is renowned for its exceptional and highly personalized service and its very special, curated guest experiences. The team works to a high standard and deals with discerning guests from across the globe. It is extremely exciting to be part of a new team and to be learning new things. It doesn’t
matter if you have been in the industry for five or 20 years, every hotel and every guest is different, so each day offers opportunity to learn something new.
“What I do bring with me, from my time at The Palace, is a deep desire to not only meet but exceed my guests’ expectations all of the time. I know that it is the smallest gestures that set the tone for a guest’s stay. By taking care of the small things and perfecting the little details, you can create an exceptional
experience that lives in their hearts. This is at the core of everything that I do; to create a memorable experience for my guests,” says Pypers.
Pypers says anyone who wants to work in hospitality, especially in guest services, should have excellent people skills.
“You also need patience, be a good listener and have the ability to empathise. Stemming from this, you should be able to stay calm under pressure and be a good problem solver. You always have to remember that you are there for your guests and it is your duty to deliver a professional service. After all, guests are the lifeblood of the hotel.”
Pypers, who got married in May this year, is one of three siblings and is thrilled to be close to his family again. When he is not impressing and taking care of guests at The Table Bay, he spends time with his family.
“I also enjoy hiking and socialising, so it is fantastic to be back in the Western Cape where there are plenty of trails, terrains, cafes and restaurants to explore.”