Kempinski Palace Engelberg: An Interview with Andreas Magnus
Kempinski Hotels frequently participate at inVOYAGE – click here to meet them at our events
Alternatively, if you have a brief and would like to be connected now, email us here
inVOYAGE: Firstly, thank you for taking the time to speak with us today! It’s been just over two years since you started your position as General Manager of Kempinski Palace Engelberg, returning to Europe after 10 years serving Kempinski across a number of their Asia and African properties. What inspired you to get into hospitality and when did you know you wanted to be the GM of a hotel?
Andreas Magnus: I had the chance to move abroad from my native Norway already at 14 and spent years in the States as a student and teenager. When I then later returned to Norway, I had already been impacted by what it meant to travel and experience new cultures and I therefor actively sought an education within a field which would allow me to travel the world. I found this in Hospitality and embarked upon a hotel management degree as soon as I graduated from Gymnasium. As to when I knew I wanted to become a hotel GM? I guess it was perhaps after my first internship, when I had first worked in a 5-star Superior hotel. My first such job was in the Banqueting department of the Lausanne Palace and I really enjoyed being able to create exceptional experiences for our guests and I loved being part of the hotels` team and community. I then started thinking that I wanted to lead such a hotel by myself one day.
inVOYAGE: Looking back at your time in Beijing, Bangkok, Dubai and Africa, are there any moments that stand out as having significantly inspired you over that time?
Andreas Magnus: I believe that all the steps of your career and all the experiences you encounter will have its impact on you. I think that in my case, each destination in question gave me something special, given both the cultural impact of the destination, but also the particular nature of the different hotels and their business model. While Dubai made me cherish my innovative side, Bangkok nourished my passion for luxury, Beijing made me dear to dream big and Africa taught me that as a leader you sometimes need to fill several hats at once, i.e. serving as both brother, father, police, teacher, banker and similar, all in once.
If I am to narrow down to one moment that really impacted me and will go down as a moment I will never forget, then it must be the opening day of Kempinski Palace Engelberg, receiving our first guests and watching the hotel come to life.
inVOYAGE: Now focusing on your time here at the Kempinski Palace Engelberg, how do you think the property stands out from its counterparts and what makes it best placed to serve incentives and events?
Andreas Magnus: Engelberg is in the heart of Switzerland, only 35 minutes from Lucerne, 75 minutes from the Zurich Airport and therefore, easily reachable, and combinable with any trip or program in Switzerland. Engelberg is also a destination that is severely underestimated in terms of offer and facilities. The destination has one of the longest ski seasons in Switzerland, stretching from some of the most stunning scenery for hiking and easy enjoyment, as well as a unique chance to start your morning in the ski slopes and celebrate the afternoon with 18 holes of golf. Combining this with a hotel that perhaps has the best accommodations in the Alps today, paired with state-of-the-art meeting facilities and exceptional public areas and offering.
inVOYAGE: Could you tell us a bit more about your F&B Culture?
Andreas Magnus: F&B for us means focus on product, experience, and consistency. The product and produce used in cooking must be of highest quality and need limited manipulation to be enjoyed. We work closely with local farmers and producers to ensure that our guests can enjoy an authentic meal, based on the best of local produce. Experience in the sense of creating something tailored for our guests and event organisers. We work with each of our group organisers and clients to bring them a tailored and bespoke event. As we are still a young house with many stories left to tell, we push to always, consistently, deliver a fantastic experience that allows our guest to gain confidence in us and build trust. As a young and growing hotel, our reputation and 'word of mouth' are of the utmost importance to us, so we all work closely to ensure that all guests leave feeling surprised and satisfied with their visit.
inVOYAGE: What would you say was the most important consideration in creating a truly out-of-the-ordinary guest journey?
Andreas Magnus Focus on each step of the journey, making the steps and interactions that guests have with us different and unique and ensuring that the team has a guest first approach, where everyone fully understands that our success can only be reached if we deliver, together, an experience which is superior to that with you can find everywhere. Remaining humble however, understanding that you can always improve, always have something to learn and that your reputation must be protected and safeguarded has always been part of our approach within the team.
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with us, we’re certainly delighted to be welcoming Kempinski to our event later this year and no doubt our delegates will be looking forward to carrying on the conversation and finding out more about what you have to offer.