Franzen was formerly GM at Grand Hyatt Muscat, Oman. Franzen was formerly GM at Grand Hyatt Muscat, Oman.

Ahead of the Hotelier Middle East Qatar GM Debate, Guy Wilkinson asks the venue’s GM, Christoph Franzen at Grand Hyatt Doha, to highlight issues in the market and reveal his plans for the hotel

Christoph Franzen, the new general manager of the elegant Grand Hyatt Doha in the city’s West Bay lagoon — the venue for this month’s Hotelier Middle East Qatar GM Debate — is just a few months into the role, but already bringing his long experience and infectious enthusiasm for the job to bear.

Born into a family of hotel owners, Franzen grew up in the famous Swiss mountain resort of Zermatt. Following traditional apprenticeships as chef and sommelier, he worked for Hilton.

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Only at the age of 26 did he go to hotel school, the Australian International Hotel School in Canberra, where he cannily completed a Cornell Degree for far lower fees than he would have paid in New York. And from then on, it was Hyatt all the way, but while he is familiar with the philosophy of his new property, Franzen is biding his time on changes to the product.

“I think it’s a little bit dangerous that I come in and want to change all things straightaway for the sake of change,” says Franzen. “I think it’s important to sit and let it happen around you for a few weeks and get a feel for the place – and then see.

The hotel has been very lucky to have Garry Friend as GM before me, who was a very outgoing personality. He created a fantastic network in the city. I consider myself also relatively outgoing, a people person. I’m not a guy who sits in his office all day.

I like to meet guests and go out and make sales calls. I’m very hands-on. I will personally check in guests. I wouldn’t hesitate to clear a plate from the table.”

True to this approach, it is evident that the affable Swiss career hotelier has not just been sitting and letting it happen around him, but is already making plans for the future. “The hotel can always benefit from a fresh pair of eyes,” he comments.

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