On the occasion of multiple awards garnered, HN talks with Georges Ojeil, GM, Le Gray Beirut to learn more about the reasons behind such recognition
What are your thoughts on Le Gray’s stellar achievements as finalist for the Best Hotel in the Middle East and winner of the ‘Best Hotel Pool in the Middle East’ by Villegiature Awards?
We are not only very proud of these achievements, but also happy because Le Gray, Beirut was the only hotel in Lebanon that has ever been nominated for this award since its establishment 15 years ago. We competed on an international level against the likes of Palazzo Versace, Jumeirah Shanghai, Hotel de Crillon and Le Meurice to name a few. This raises Le Gray, Beirut’s standing to another level, which is very rewarding.
Lebanon’s hospitality industry is an important sector of the country’s economy, so, what are the elements that set Le Gray apart?
There are numerous elements that set Le Gray apart. The hotel, as a brand, offers visitors a unique concept in Lebanon; it is the only 5-star luxury hotel with a contemporary design and a defined penchant to art. It is a benchmark for modern luxury hotels with an understated approach focusing on the guest experience. Our service philosophy relies on recognizing and anticipating the guests’ needs. Our people have a genuine passion for hospitality and service and we keep developing them to respond to the highest standards while maintaining our original and authentic approach. As such, our people are one of the most valuable assets. On the other hand, our location is another unique attraction that sets us apart. Being our guest, allows you to discover the heart of the capital on foot. It is at walking distance from major business institutions as well as the main entertainment spots in the city.
What added value does the award bring and how will you capitalize on that recognition?
Receiving such a prestigious award constitutes a big responsibility and is a great motivator. Another prize we received this year is the World Spa Award as Lebanon’s Best Hotel Spa 2018 and it’s the second consecutive year we receive this accolade.
We were among the five finalists to win the Middle East Hospitality Award 2018 for the Boutique Hotel of the Middle East and we are Trip Advisor’s Travellers’ Choice Award as the number one go-to hotel in Lebanon. These awards are certainly an added value to the hotel’s reputation, but we do not aim to capitalize on them, rather on what led us to earn them. This is how we can keep our promises. We believe that success is not a destination, it is a journey!
What were some of this year’s significant highlights that the brand achieved?
The hotel prides itself on an excellent business year with considerable financial growth. It is the second best financial year since the hotel’s opening in 2009. Our new conference and events space inaugurated in July 2017 has been a successful addition to the hotel facilities. These have allowed us to penetrate the luxury MICE market in which we are a main player now. Overall and despite the political unrest locally and in the region, we have exceeded our yearly projections.
What are the plans for the year ahead?
We have refurbished and will be relaunching two Le Gray Signature Suites. We also have a culinary project that was put on hold due to political unrest, which we are hoping to relaunch in the coming year.
On a personal note, what did this win bring you and what will be the challenges for the local hotel industry in general and for Le Gray in specific in the years to come?
Success is not about me as a person, but about the difference I can make to all stakeholders because of my presence. This accolade is in recognition of the past three-year journey where Le Gray’s team faced and managed many challenges at multiple levels. Still, we delivered as promised the extension of the hotel and inaugurated the newly built facilities. My biggest accomplishment is managing to build a highly-focused and passionate team eager to achieve.
As for the challenges on the local level, I’ve always believed that winners are not the strongest or the smartest. They key is having a team that can always adapt to the changes in a highly volatile market. In the meantime, we will continue delivering memorable experiences to all our guests.
