In conversation with Jean-Paul Dantil, highly experienced and talented luxury executive (Exclusive Interview)

CPP-LUXURY.COM has recently interview an immensely talented and experienced luxury hotelier, Jean-Paul Dantil who shares some sensible insights on the luxury hospitality sector in general, but also his views on the post-pandemic luxury hotel industry.

You had the opportunity to run both major international luxury chain properties but also smaller groups or even individual properties. Which one would you consider more challenging and which one is more rewarding? What have you learned from both type of experiences?

I feel that it is sometimes like a marriage….One can be lucky and have great owners where one gets along like a match made in heaven and sometimes it is just the opposite… its love at first sight but then one grows apart! However, what is important to remember is that we are responsible for the owner’s money. Personally, the ideal owner is involved but knows when to let go and offers support but, in the end, trusts the management team to get the job done. 

Having managed properties in the most diverse parts of the world, what has been your key to success when adapting fast to cultural changes? 

Luxury will remain luxury, but those hotels that have a real story behind them, that have quality, genuine service and strong values will continue to prosper. The more generic luxury hotels may struggle for a while as they rely more on mass tourism and have less of a story to tell.

There will be also a stronger focus on wellness for sure and many hotels will have to focus on their domestic markets. The Positive is that after every crisis, it allows industries to re-examine themselves and usually come out stronger. I think people will slow down a little and step back from the crazy pace we had before.

It will be tough for a while and I am really worried about the colleagues who have and will lose their jobs like myself. However, employees will reward companies who treated them well during this crisis. But time always heals wounds and I end with a quote from Marcus Aurelius, You have power over your mind, not outside events, realize this and you will have strength!

Jean-Paul Dantil started his career in hospitality in 1996, focusing from his early career on the luxury segment of hospitality. Jean-Paul is a graduate of Glion Institute of Higher Education. He has held top management positions with Almanac Hotels,  The Ritz-Carlton (namely Vienna and Bahrain), COMO Hotels & Resorts.and Das Stue Hotel, Berlin (one of the finest luxury hotels in the city, which has recently been co-branded as SO/ , a brand of Accor).