As legend has it, Khiva in Uzbekistan was born from a vision. In biblical times, Shem, one of Noah’s sons, founded the city after having dreamed of a fire. Timothy Go is also connected to Khiva in western Uzbekistan by flames. On his first trip to this ancient city along the Silk Road in 2018, the former news anchor and serial entrepreneur dreamed of leaves burning. Five years later, he’s back, this time to set down financial roots. “Noah’s son built the city after having dreamed of a fire. Now, here I am, opening a hotel,” says Go.
It all started after a chance encounter on his first visit when Go left his hotel room looking for Wi-Fi and struck up life-altering conversations with a young Uzbek in the lobby. They realised they had the same dream of opening a hotel and clicked over their ambitions, so they decided to take the plunge.
Go and Muhammad Ali Erkinov opened Hotel Bankir Khiva this March. The name, meaning “banker” in Russian, was inspired by the fact that both had bankers in the family and the street where the building was located was known locally as “where the banker lives”. Go calls the events leading up to the meeting with his business partner “destiny”.
ECLECTIC ENTREPRENEURSHIP
While being a hotelier is uncharted territory, the Singapore-based entrepreneur is familiar with the trials of a start-up, having launched a business every few years since leaving the television news broadcasting industry in 2016.
Denne historien er fra May 2023-utgaven av The PEAK Singapore.
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Denne historien er fra May 2023-utgaven av The PEAK Singapore.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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From Screen to Store
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In the Dining Spotlight
Renowned Dutch chef Sergio Herman, whose name has been associated with the Michelin Guide in the Netherlands and Belgium, is expanding his Asian footprint with his Singapore outpost, Le Pristine in Grand Hyatt Singapore.
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Pods and Swirling Staircases
This quirky and playful home designed by Park Associates is shaped after its owners, a young family with three children.
Stories Behind the Kebava
Sufiyanto A. S., one half of the duo behind the Kebaya.Societe Instagram account, has had enough of seeing Malay identity erased and forgotten.
Good to Go
Driving classic Jaguars on the legendary Goodwood Motor Circuit is all the magic a motorhead needs.
Seasons of the Snake
Japanese architect Tadao Ando once again works his magic for Bvlgari, with the Serpenti Tubogas as an artistic canvas for nature's cyclical transformation.
Phoenix Rising
One gutsy retired pharmaceutical executive rescued two-century-old Swiss watchmaker Bovet, and today, its presence is stronger than ever in Southeast Asia.
Con Amore, Leggiero, Presto!
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Preserving Paradise
Gaya Island Resort takes eco-tourism beyond the expected, blending conservation efforts with authentic luxury.
