Leading with vision and expertise, Benoit-Joseph Metanomski brings his recipe for success to the table as he takes over as the new General Manager at the Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain.
Benoit-Joseph Metanomski may have landed in Bahrain just two months ago, but he’s already on a mission to take the island’s luxury boutique airport hotel to greater heights. His career first began when he shifted from the field of accountancy to doing a masters in hospitality with Vatel Paris.
“Accountancy was not really for me, I was more of a people’s person,” says Mr. Metanomski, who was more than happy to pursue his true calling. Little did he know his decision would then take him travelling to work in multiple continents.
Soon after his training began in France, he worked with two different hotels in Paris with Accor. “In 2006 I left for Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon, where I became front-office manager of Sofitel. That was the first time I moved overseas.” After three years in Vietnam, he had the opportunity to travel to Australia for two years. His career grew steadily and he became next in line to Director of Operations at the Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Resort in Siem Reap, Cambodia, where he met his wife.
Before moving to the Kingdom of Bahrain, his career took him to Thailand to work for the Pullman Phuket Arcadia Naithon Beach, followed by managing two properties in Bangkok and Khao Yai with Mövenpick. This is when he took on the role of Cluster General Manager and was tasked with rebranding a sprawling property on a golf course. He adds that he attributes his adaptability skills to being an avid traveller, which has positively affected the pace at which he settles into his new environment.
Drawing on his expertise with the Accor hotels thus far, Mr. Metanomski believes he is able to navigate the Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain successfully to something of a balance between an airport hotel and a resort. “I am quite knowledgeable with the brand and the way we operate such a property. The hotel was also renovated a few years ago, it’s a beautiful property and I feel it’s more than just a typical airport hotel,” says Mr. Metanomski.
He particularly envisions a scope for growth in the food and beverage sector, with a particular emphasis on incorporating wellness and lifestyle elements, “Considering the fact that there are 106 rooms, F&B is a big part of our business, between the all-day dining, the famous brunches, the bar, the lobby, all the concepts that we can do around the pool.” Additionally, he believes his past expertise as Director of Operations will help him to work with his team to create new concepts, maintain high standards and propose new initiatives.
Solidifying the hotel’s position in the market amidst new competition, Mr. Metanomski says, “the goal is to remain strong,” flaunting its reputation with the best brunch in town and the advantage of being a smaller, more attractive boutique hotel.
“At the moment, our bar is undergoing improvements to enhance its liveliness. Our goal is to create a vibrant atmosphere seven days a week, offering unique experiences at various times throughout the day to cater to different preferences,” he says.
To conclude, he shares three words that would best describe the charming hotel: “Luxury, passion and excellence – this is Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain.”
