Sep 25, 2020
Opening a hotel amid a pandemic?! 🤯Well, yes, and Stephanie Wan, Front House
Manager and on the pre-open team, for Nobu Hotel London Portman Square, gives us some
insight on why and how.
Stephanie was moving from her Barcelona hotel to start the pre-open
for Nobu when the pandemic hit. While a it’s been a tricky few
months, like most hoteliers, she is resilient.
Key takeaways:
-Nobu is currently 13 city and resort-based hotels with more in the
pipeline. In a partnership with Robert De Niro, Meir Teper, and
Chef Nobu Matsuhisa.
-At the final stages with an opening scheduled for the first week
of November.
-Working hard to make sure everything is in place as well as
ensuring guest comfort and safety.
-Every touchpoint reconsidered, trying to be as digital as
possible, minimizing guest contact.
-Taking regular check-in mobile.
-Recruitment has been difficult because of the stopping and
starting driven by the pandemic with candidates who have been
waiting.
-Advice for hoteliers? Find ways to personalize the guest
experience. And, don’t forget about your people—develop them,
increase their expertise and give them the opportunity to shine
through this.