From Lisbon to Paris, Pittsburgh to San Paolo, Manuel de Vasconcelos has headed some of the largest hotels in many of the world’s most famous cities.
For the past seven years he has been General Manager of Le Meridien Beach Plaza Hotel and he spoke to Monaco Lifeabout the fine art of diplomacy in the world of luxury hospitality.
Monaco Life: Manuel tell us where it all began for you…
Manuel: I started working in hotels as a breakfast waiter and night porter, and I didn’t see myself working in hotels all my life because I wanted to go into diplomacy. But there was a revolution at the time in Portugal and the universities were on strike, so I left for London and started working; then I carried on in Switzerland as a waiter and at reception. One day my father came to me and said: “Are you going to be a waiter all your life?” and while I was making good money with no responsibility, I thought perhaps he was right. So, I went to hotel school in Switzerland and then I joined Hilton for seven years, which took me to Columbia, Brazil and Pittsburgh. After that I worked for Sheraton in Portugal, San Paolo, Lisbon, and my first job as a general manager was in San Sebastian. Then I went to Paris for 10 years and moved here seven years ago.
How many languages do you speak?
Four fluently: Spanish, English, French and Portuguese, plus I can manage German and Italian.
Are you happy with the direction you took in life?
Yes, because this job is, in many ways, similar to diplomacy. Every time I have lived abroad, I have had good friends in embassies and consulates because they are all doing a job like me. In my career, I have to make things work; I must deal with situations and find ways to settle things, because I work through people. You are not only measured by your results but what you achieve through other people.
And you are dealing with hundreds of staff here, it’s like a little village…
Yes it is. In winter we have 290 staff members, in the summer it reaches as high as 550.
What is your favourite city you have worked in?
It is hard to say. Paris is fantastic, the life and culture, and all the new and exciting things they have there. Monaco is great, I love the auto racing, the beaches, everything. San Sebastian is wonderful because it is perhaps the best place to eat in Europe. Lisbon is a fantastic city. San Paolo in Brazil is amazing. Even Pittsburgh, it is in the centre of the United States but it is beautiful because it sits in the middle of three rivers. Colombia is also incredible.
Did you get the opportunity to go back to your father as a successful hotel general manager and say “Look where I am now!”?
Actually, he passed away before I was general manager but I was already number two at the Sheridan in my home city in Portugal. So that was nice.
Le Meridien is competing against some incredibly famous institutions in Monaco like the Hôtel de Paris and the Hôtel Hermitage. What sets this apart from the rest?
Our number one advantage is the fact we have our own private beach. Stepping out of the hotel and straight onto the sand is unique in Monaco. We also have three swimming pools, a heated one inside and two external pools.
Tell me about the best rooms you have in the hotel? What’s above floor number nine?
All of our suites are on floor 11. Then a few years ago we renovated the 10th floor and we added six more suites, so now guests can connect four different rooms. It’s great for big families and the like.
I hear there are private elevators in some suites?
There are two presidential suites on the 12th floor, one in each tower, and they each have a private elevator. The 360 degree view they have up there is wonderful.
It is also a unique hotel because it is was built in the 1970s but still feels very contemporary…
It is part of the brand message: the hotel reflects what you can find in your destination. But we try to present things that people usually do not see all the time in Monaco. With the art, for example, we exhibit work that is different from others in the Principality. We are trying to create new things all the time, we don’t like to stand still. We like to create life and movement, for both the clients and staff.
What are some of the challenges you face being a hotel manager?
The most satisfaction I have is gained from personal contacts, which can also be the biggest challenge as well. There are some people who are more difficult than others, but it is part of the job, and I like that. Over the years, in the many countries I worked, I have learned that mentality can vary significantly, and that is nice.
So, what’s next for Le Meridien?
We just created a new kids club on the upper terrace for children in summer, which is very popular with families. Sometimes we have about 50 to 60 kids a day in August, so it’s a great option for parents who would like some rest.
After the summer we will start renovating the 11th floor. Then we will renovate our convention centre, which spans 3,000sqm and hosts many private and corporate events, especially during the winter.
Apart from that, everything else has been done!