Leaders in Bahrain Hospitality: An Interview with Jean-Paul Dantil of The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain

Bahrain Confidential interviews the leaders in Bahrain hospitality about what’s new, what’s next, and what makes them the best…

Jean-Paul Dantil
General Manager
The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain

 

Tell us something personal, what attracts you to working for luxury hotels?

I grew up in-between the UK and Switzerland, where my passion for hospitality developed and then lead me to graduate from the Centre International de Glion in Montreux. Prior to joining The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, I opened the famous Das Stue hotel in Berlin. Following this, in 2002, myself and several partners opened up a successful hotel supply and procurement business in Dubai, U.A.E. which allowed me to refine my knowledge of the region’s hospitality scene. I have always had a passion for hotels and for luxury, so this job comes very naturally.

 

In a fiercely competitive market, how do you plan on remaining at the forefront of the hospitality game?

The promise of a great future lies within the ingenuity we feed our present, and it is with this that our brand service values continue to be the source for which we stay ahead of the market. Our brand pillars in fact empower our Ladies and Gentlemen to create wow experiences for our guests and to go the extra mile in anticipation of guests needs. Our restaurants and chef teams are also always thinking out-of-the-box to create to new and inventive culinary experiences and events. The market will always stay competitive and this is where we have the opportunity to be the bench mark of the region in delivering world-class service.

 

What are your plans for the upcoming Formula 1?

This Formula 1 season we are excited to celebrate with another moniker event on Thursday, April 5, starting at 8 pm on Marina Beach. Like our events in the past, the Race Day Beach Bash will once again excite with pop-up stand activations from each of our award-winning restaurants, live performances, international DJs and more. It will be a party to remember in true Ritz-Carlton fashion…

 

What has been the biggest challenges and successes of the past year?

We see challenges as opportunities – which is one of our continuums of success. In 2017, we saw the need to enhance our facilities and to better serve the needs of our guests and Royal Beach Club members. This in light brought the $1.5-million-dollar investment to improve our marina and bring it to European design and safety standards. We also saw the need to have heated outdoor pools during the winter months, which saw the full completion this past quarter. Although the market is tough, ensuring all our ladies and gentlemen provide exceptional service is our priority to ensure our valued guests will wish to return.  

 

What’s next for the The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain?

The future is always full of thrills here at The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain – in short, our chefs are working steadily on Ramadan preparations, along with engineering who will help to unveil our signature Ramadan tent design. We will also celebrate a kick off to summer with a fiesta at our halo restaurant Cantina Kahlo. And we are also excited about the brand rollout of the new “Moments” program where Ritz-Carlton reward members can book an insider guide package with us to experience all of Bahrain.

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