Meeting The Alpina Gstaad management

The curiosity  associated with the considered unveiling of the latest 5 star hotel in Gstaad in 100 years, The Alpina Gstaad, has captured the imagination of many of us resident here in the Saanenland. From the early plans which we were all privy to, through the large scale construction phase to the eventual roof wetting. The project has been a part of all of our lives for some time now and as it takes its rightful place as a part of our social, business and geographic landscape, it is good to begin to put some names and personalities together with it. The owners of the development Marcel Bach and Jean-Claude ­Mimran whose vision it is to actualise the authentic luxurious alpine boutique hotel and residence have left nothing to chance in terms of who they have placed in charge of the management of the hotel. First and foremost, Onno Poortier from Rembrandt Management Services GmbH has been appointed in the key position as owner’s representative and advisor. Educated and trained in Switzerland Mr Poortier brings over four decades of development, marketing and operational experience to the Alpina Gstaad. His extensive experience includes luxurious international hotel brands such as The Peninsula Group where he was President for 9 years.  Mr Poortier’s task list is long and involved however what excites him most about the project is the vision itself. ‘To be a part of what really is the latest 5 star establishment in Gstaad in 100 years is fabulous. To capture high quality, high design and warm genuine service in a unique Gstaad way is our goal. The Alpina Gstaad will certainly be unique in many ways, it is a great honour to be a part of this project’, says Mr Poortier.

It was Mr Poortier who recommended the appointment of Bernese native, Niklaus Leuenberger, the Alpina Gstaad’s Managing Director. Mr Leuenberger comes with over three decades of top draw hotel management experience gained in Asia, the Middle East and the USA. His experience has him understanding the discerning needs of luxury hotel guests and the challenges of working with diverse cultures. ’It is personally very exciting for me to return to Gstaad since it was a luxury hotel experience right here, 40 years ago, that decided my career choice to be a hotelier and life has now taken me full circle’, says Mr Leuenberger. The new Managing Directors extensive experience comes across in his view on the staff appointments he will be making. ‘The attitude that the hotel portrays is a big part of my job. People who are happy with what they are doing and identifying themselves with the product,  do a good job and authentic hospitality is never forgotten’, says Mr Leuenberger. ‘When all is said and done, The Alpina Gstaad would only be a great building if it didn’t have the right people with the right attitude. However it is this passion, the approach and spirit that has the potential to transform the hotel into a legendary experience, which is our aim’.  

Asking Mr Leuenberger about the exclusivity of the hotel and whether local people will feel welcome, he explains, ‘The Alpina Gstaad is a member of the Gstaad community. The hotel‘s  developers, builders and craftsmen all come from this region working hand in hand with designers from Europe and Asia under the lead architects Jaggi & Partner. We want to be a hotel for all our guests – international and regional - attracting both locals and visitors whether it be for a celebration of an anniversary, or just a good meal out of home, The Alpina Gstaad will be as welcoming to our local guests as to our out of town visitors’. 

Commenting on the unique aspects of the new hotel, Mr Leuenberger says, ‘Gstaad has gained recognition as a world renowned mountain resort with alpine authenticity as its trademark. A genuine Alpine lifestyle still prevails in the destination and The Alpina Gstaad takes great pride in respecting and nurturing these traditions whilst providing an indulgent Swiss mountain experience for our guests.  Unique views of the surrounding Saanenland Alps will be seen from the balconies of our 57 rooms and suites as from the bar lounge and three restaurants, the wine tasting room, cigar room,  ballroom and boardroom. Whilst a uniquely designed entry and covered driveway on the side of the hill, the hotel atop will welcome guests, ensure protection from the weather and keep an ambiance of peace and serenity within the grounds of the hotel’. 

Mr Poortier and Mr Leuenberger will be very busy in the coming year readying The Alpina Gstaad which will open in December 2012. With a SFr 300m investment firmly in their hands, they certainly have their task cut out for them. With their clear strategy and the extensive experience that they bring to the project, it could well be said that, ‘all is going to plan.’

By Peter Sonnekus-Williams

Comments

[Dominic Lawson]

A couple of weeks ago I commented that this website would become boring if it aligned itself with GstaadLife magazine because the magazine panders to advertisers. This kind of article is exactly what I was talking about. By the way, I am certain when I looked at the site this morning, there was another (negative) comment. Is this the respect the new editor has for feedback from readers? I would appreciate it if this comment is left up for all to read.

[moonshine]

Free press at its best. The Alpina already looked headed to misery when it started 4 years ago, then september 2008 came, and now the 300 million spent should be kept a secret instead of being publicized, as there is NO WAY ON EARTH this thing will produce any profit...EVER! The 100 year old Palace, one of the best hotels in the world, barely survives, most other hotels are little toys for grown up children (Park Hotel, Olden, Bellevue) that lose money since decades. But one thing is for a multi-billionaire to want to have fun losing 10 mill a year and actually providing a good service in the meantime, another is to open a monster that will have to be filled with whatever shows up in order to lose anyways....and lose a LOT it will, that is guaranteed!!! Gstaad will be plastered with bus-loads of wannabes in those 4 or 5 weeks of high season to the definitive detriment of whatever was left of the real feeling it was created upon. It's beyond a shame, it is an insult to the intelligence of all those people that already stopped "coming up" preferring to "slow down" in the multitude of other vacation places that actually understood that there is a WORLDWIDE acclaimed crisis, and that one might even go the extra yard to spend several tens of thousands for a vacation, but not to see another money sucking empty monster depress the views. For those who still don't get it, go to Monaco on a beautiful january week-end and take a look, it will be very inspiring.

[stefano]

I couldn't agree more with the above. Bye bye the old Gstaad bye bye the old days, and by the way, bye bye the snow!!

[Gstaad born]

... and bye bye to all those who still think life in Gstaad should stay as it was 30 years ago! In what a world do you live?
...and the snow is here as well!

[another gstaad born]

to mrs. or mr. gstaad born - you are absolutely right - life changes even in gstaad. and i would like to add that it also changed, when so called gstaad residents bought their chalets 30 or 40 years ago. to the better or worse then or now - who knows - but it will always change, just wake up - maybe you guys where the stars and well known persons by then but did you really thought that you'll be the local heroes forever?

[local2]

We all agree that Gstaad has changed,but there is no reason to spit on the past..and pray for the future to roll in with more gold.Gstaad had a certain unique energy,which today has evolved as the world has and will continue to.

[Mauricio de Souza/Contributing Editor Cool Magazine Brazil]

The first time I went to Gstaad as a High School student, I was very impressed with everything I experienced. Having spent many years skiing in other places in Europe, I must say that the glamour and the hospitality one can find in Gstaad is very unique. It is true that the World has changed and that money is not as available as it used to be. However, we must remember that the rich will always stay rich and they do like to have options. Brazil, Russia, India and China are the newest economies. Money is now in new "young" hands and they have more disposable income. With that being said, Gstaad is the perfect place for everyone who likes to be pampered to the extremein every sense. I highly recommend Gstaad as a winte vacation. It is chic and understated.