Jonathan, originally from Italy, was born in Belgium and grew up in Africa. The family business of import/export textiles brought Jonathan to the exciting lights of Shanghai eight years ago, where he formed a firm friendship with fellow Shanghai enthusiast Spencer Dodington. Their mutual love of the city helped them create Luxury Concierge China.

Jonathan speaks fluent English, French, Italian, conversational Mandarin and Lingala (dialect of Congo). Jonathan has a passion for MotoGP, he loves jogging in the French Concession, enjoys a traditional dim sum, and making his own music compilations all the while continuing to travel extensively.

L&S: Please describe yourself in 5 words:
JLH: Intense, loyal, determined, passionate, friendly

L&S: What do you enjoy most about your current profession?
JLH: We at Luxury Concierge China have set out to provide to our clients the very best of what China has to offer, based on their personal requirements.  In other words, we provide fully bespoke, high end travel experiences.  Creating those personalized experiences, and sharing our passion and knowledge of China with our clients, is what I most enjoy.   Our clients are highly demanding and extremely well travelled.  Being able to meet their requirements and making their stay a memorable one is another aspect of this profession that I greatly enjoy.

L&S: The best compliment you’ve received?
JLH: Though not a compliment per se; being chosen on several occasions as the best man.  This is no greater expression of friendship than that.  

L&S: Your proudest accomplishment to date:
JLH: Setting up my own company.  I was relatively young at the time, 28, and with a limited experience in the field of hospitality.  Yet I followed my instincts and managed to pull it off.  I remember the early days though, and how discouraging it was having people and companies, who are now our clients, not even willing to grant us a meeting.  We’ve come a long way. Recently, quitting smoking was quite an achievement too, coming from two packs a day.  

L&S: In your opinion, what makes Shanghai stand out from other cities in the region?
JLH: It’s energy.  Living in Shanghai over the past decade has been somewhat like being in Sim City, the city-building simulation game.  Several examples: You wake up one day to hear about the opening of the new international airport (Pudong).  The following day, the construction of the bridge connecting Shanghai to Ningbo is done, thus shortening the driving distance between both cities by half.  Day three, the Park Hyatt establishes the highest hotel in world.  Then you hear about the city winning the right to host the Expo, and some months later, the whole site is up and running.  The Peninsula Hotel then makes it comeback to Shanghai, establishing itself beautifully on Shanghai’s northern Bund.  Wow!  Does it ever stop? A city constantly changing, modernizing, improving and renewing itself.  This and more gives the Paris of the East a tremendous energy.

L&S: An ideal day for you would consist of:
JLH: On a weekend, that would have to be a simple breakfast at home, overhearing the morning news on BBC or CNN and reading the FT Weekend, sipping espressos.  Provided the weather permits it, al fresco lunch with friends – my top pick remains the Kitchen out in Pudong (East of the River). 

The Kitchen is run by a Japanese management group so service is always impeccable, and the chefs come from Italy, a combination that works rather well.  Their pizzas are excellent, and the atmosphere of the terrace is what comes closest to being in Tuscany, in Shanghai.