Interview with Gideon Crasto

For Gideon, having spent many years working in Goa, susegado has become a state of mind and way of life. Derived from the Portuguese word sossegado which means quiet, susegad is the feeling you get the moment you land in Goa. One of peace and relaxation. As a part of our Guest Relations team in Goa, customer smiles are how Gideon tracks how well he is doing his job!

Tell us a bit about yourself, how did you end up at Isprava?
Having spent about 7 years in the field of studying and practising self-empowerment based on the science of Kriya Yoga and exploring its effects through sound on humans, animals, the environment and how our ancient heritage sciences are designed to de-stress and retune highly stressed individuals to an equilibrium enabling calmness and promoting wellness, I found an enterprise working at a city pace in Goa which is by default Susegad. Being used to the city pace, I considered to take up a new full time profile once again, where I can put to practice of balancing my own self calmness and peace of mind in a fast pace expanding organisation driven to provide the highest form of luxury in the Indian market designed and tailored for guests. My vision at the time and hopefully manifest in the future where guests and colleagues get to experience these forms of wellness during my tenure with Isprava as to me having sound health is the highest form of wealth one can have.

What is your role here?
Enabling guests to have enriched experiences, curated for their comfort that exceeds their expectations in some of the finest homes of the world.

What is your favourite part of your role?
To observe happiness sparked from satisfied guests when we over exceed expectations, or even when they first enter our homes and have that wow factor plastered on their face, it’s just priceless.

Tell us a little bit about the culture at the office?
In short, it’s like walking a tight rope when pressures are high which is most of the time considering the pace of our growth but the thing in Goa with the mix of our work crew, be sure that one will go home with a smile no matter how hard the day was.

Were you always inclined toward the luxury space? If so, how do you feel it evolving in India now?
I enjoy being enchanted by beautiful spaces and novelty, and to quote our guests that we are one of a kind doing what we do by paying attention to detail on client requests and often think out of the box in our offerings which are not common in most luxury hotels/spaces.

As tourist destinations become more commercial, we look for experiences that are not run in the mill or mundane, something new and vibrant which offers an experience that engages our five senses pushes the holistic experience up a notch. This makes it a novelty.

Are you more a beach person who loves the energy of Goa or the tranquil calm of the lush Nilgiris?
I usually find calmness in most places for even the tide slows down and depends on how one looks at it. I like the vibrance of Goa as we can find tranquil and bustle in the same place.  I have not visited Nilgiris yet but similar terrain close by which was Kodikanal which I found beautiful and rich in nature which was still untouched and not yet spoiled due to heavy tourism.

What does luxury mean to Isprava?
Luxury to Isprava is to enjoy the comfort and warmth of homeliness with elegance and to experience service that goes beyond one's expectation.

Rapid Fire

What is the first thing you do in the morning?
Meditate before I look at WhatsApp.

What are three things we will find on your desk?
If it’s not in a mess, a colourful lit mouse, my laptop and a water bottle.

Favourite vacation spot?
The Andaman Islands

A celebrity you would like to have a drink with?
Keanu Reeves.

If you could have a holiday home anywhere, where would it be?
Goa

Favourite TV character?
Sherlock Holmes and Neo.