If the criteria to be the successful applicant for the position as General Manager of the new Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa included enthusiasm, energy and someone who lives and breathes the Marriott philosophy, Goetz Bauer was always going to be a frontrunner.
Hua Hin Today had the privilege to meet incoming GM Goetz Bauer pre-Christmas. We now look forward to taking part in the celebrations to come and seeing the ‘finished product’ first hand. We also spent time with Phanthippa Supanakorn (Khun Mangpor) as the incoming Marketing Communications and PR Manager. She has promised a tour of the facilities, including the extensive outdoor and beachside facilities as well an invitation to the main opening celebrations.
Of course this newly constructed development is not the first presence of the Marriott brand in Hua Hin with a history which spans well over 20 years, including at the current site. However this will be a new resort, not just a refurbishment or makeover. It’s really too early to understand exactly what is in store, but the architect and interior designer’s plans show a level of design and attention to style and detail that will be hard to match.
The new Marriott will soon become the benchmark as well as a new resort for Hua Hin. Goetz’s CV includes Swiss hotel management and hospitality training. He was initially motivated by childhood memories of family holidays away from the Bavarian family to the south of France. He decided the way to embrace this lifestyle was to become part of it. Embracing the hospitality industry has been part of his life for well over 20 years, with a steady progression through the rank, with his position before Hua Hin being GM of the Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa. Apart from being a ‘Marriott Man’ Goetz is also a family man.
Unfortunately the pressures of opening deadlines are not really ‘family friendly’, so Christmas cannot be shared with his loved ones; that is his Italian wife and two daughters who are currently in Europe. He’s looking forward to a future with the family settled here, including education for the kids at the international school and being able to relax and dine out without always thinking about how the Marriott’s new restaurants will compare.
The task of managing the ‘start-up’ phase includes attention to the smallest detail to ensure the necessary lavish standards are achieved. Fortunately the reputation of Marriott being a very desirable employer has helped the staff recruitment process with over 600 hopefuls attending recruiting days and over 2,000 applicants for the many and varied positions.
I queried the need for the early appointment of the executive chefs and leant about how extensive menus and systems to link this with the supply chain and other controls of quality and quantity are being developed. Once again attention to detail comes into play with no stone unturned. We met a General Manager who is attentive and motivated.
Spreading that motivation to his staff, or as Goetz describes them his ‘Associates’, is primary to his management style. Goetz is not really in charge of the new Marriott until hand-over when it is no longer a construction site. Although very busy and getting closer to the launch every day, he is ‘itching’ to get past construction and down to the business of taking care of guests. That’s what he enjoys the most about his profession and what he does best. ‘Marriott Man’ sounds like a super-hero and that what Hua Hin can expect; a really passionate hospitality super leader!
