 Member interview: Hoteis Real Algarve's Lourenço Ribeiro
Lourenço Ribeiro is the Area Manager of Hoteis Real Algarve - a small group of luxury hotels in Portugal. Mr. Ribeiro has been working for Hoteis Real Algarve since January 2004.
| GN: |
What is your background? |
| LR: |
My background is a bit unusual.
I have a bachelor’s degree
in Industrial Control and Automatism
and I worked some years for Honeywell
on building energy management
systems. For personal reasons,
I decided to come to Portugal
when my company had a subsidiary
in Lisbon, but my goal was always
to work in the Algarve! My career
took a new direction when I was
hired as Assistant Chief Engineer
at the Sheraton Algarve. I found
the hotel industry much more interesting,
mainly because of three things:
the attention to the client, the
intensity of relationships between
all departments and finally, the
transparency and involvement in
management decisions. |
|
| GN: |
That is an unusual path to the hotel industry! Did your earlier background benefit or give you an extra advantage in your new career? |
| LR: |
I think so! During my career
at Starwood, I realized that analytical
and diagnostic skills, as well
as the ability to use technology,
is very useful. Together with
the leadership skills that Starwood
helped me develop, my engineering
background was certainly key to
my advancement in the industry.
Technical skills aside, one of
the most enjoyable day-to-day
activities of my job is interacting
with staff. I enjoy hearing their
input and being able to work with
them to make their ideas come
alive. |
|
| GN: |
Your two hotels in the Algarve are both members of Great Hotels, Grande Real Santa Eulália Resort & Hotel is a member of GHOTW and the Real Bellavista recently joined SHOTW. What are some unique selling points of each of your hotels? |
| LR: |
What makes our properties stand out
are the outlets located at Santa
Eulália Beach, which
guests staying at both hotels
are free to enjoy. There are
three fantastic outlets right
on the beach: a fish and seafood
restaurant, a café bar
and Le Club.
Le Club, an independently managed
bar, gourmet restaurant and
disco, is probably one of the
best in Portugal at the moment.
I have no doubt that the Le
Club alone is one of the many
reasons why some meeting planners
choose to place their events
with us. Our clientele spans
from couples and business groups
during low and shoulder season,
to families during high season. |
Cont... |
