Kempinski Villa Rosa Nairobi reveals new team with Bernard Mercier as GM

KEMPINSKI VILLA ROSA PRESENTS NEW GENERAL MANAGER

Bernard Mercier was recently appointed as Kempinski’s first General Manager, for the soon to open Kempinski Villa Rosa in Nairobi as well as overseeing the Olare Mara Kempinski, an existing property being taken under the Kempinski branding, management and marketing. Bernard joins the newly built Nairobi Kempinski from China, where he last year opened a new Kempinski Resort on the island of Hainan before transferring to Kenya. Bernard started his hospitality career with InterContinental Hotels but also gained experience with Starwood’s Sheraton, Hilton, Tivoli Hotels and Resorts, Peninsula Hotels and more recently the Kempinski Group. The takeover of the 12 tented ‘suites’ Olare Mara Camp, together with the rebranding will coincide with the soft opening of the new Villa Rosa which is located along the Waiyaki Way in Nairobi not far from the Museum Hill intersection of the new city highway and close to the International Casino. There guests can expect an array of restaurants, bars and facilities only a Kempinski would offer, alongs side 200 rooms, including 13 suites which already at this stage have gained a hearsay reputation as arguably the best in the city. Opening dates are yet to be finalized but will be published here well in advance.

Bernard is joined by Executive Chef Hans Lentz who has gained his experience as the Al Bustan Palace, the Addis Ababa Sheraton and the InterContinental in Chicago, by Britta Krug as Director of Sales and Marketing, Lydia Liu as Marketing and Communications Manager and notably has Miss Shikha Nayar joined the Kempinski in Kenya as e-Commerce Manager, after leaving the Nairobi InterConti earlier on to find a new professional challenge.

Created in 1897, Kempinski Hotels is Europe’s oldest luxury hotel group. Kempinski’s rich heritage of impeccable personal service and superb hospitality is complemented by the exclusivity and individuality of its properties and now comprises a portfolio of 73 five-star hotels in 31 countries. The Group continues to add new properties in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, each one of which reflects the strength and success of the Kempinski brand without losing sight of its heritage. The portfolio includes historic landmark properties, award-winning urban lifestyle hotels, outstanding resorts, and prestigious residences.

Kempinski is a founding member of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world’s largest alliance of independent hotels.

63 Responses

  1. …anyone from intercontinenti definitely knows what it takes!..though the rooms are small in number compared to intercontinental Nairobi,competition is rife and indeed they need to carefully bring in processionals to keep the trend high in terms of rooms occupancy and intricate personalized service.Vila Rosa will be extremely felt in this extremely busy up market city center and its environs.”welcome to Nairobi’!…

  2. congratulations Villa Rosa. Quality service and Standards comes first not the size. Wish you well Villa Rosa

  3. Sounds interesting…..:-) I may contact you Wolfgang as I’ll need some information regarding this. Cheers

  4. Bring it on! I’ve heard it’s a seven star hotel and we expect there services will be first class…

  5. Looking forward to some contemporary hospitality trends and new ceilings of standards in Nairobi with the opening of Villa Rosa; The opening team seems quite strong and should bring in varied experiences from luxury, upmarket Hotels and the exposure from developed markets.
    I wish them the best.

  6. Thank you all for your wonderful comments on Villa Rosa Kempinski. We look forward to having you at the hotel next year. Keep reading Wolfgang’s blog for updates on the Kempinski brand in Kenya.

  7. ….where ther is competition there is improved service
    well done Kempinski nairobi

  8. We just can’t wait to see the opening of the spectacular establishment.With such an esteemed group of luxury hotels, Kenya is a blessed country.

  9. congratulations Mr. mercier for your new appointment and we are looking forward for the best in this new hospitality establishment. I hope soon you are going to advertise the position for junior staffs in the local daily newspapers. Thank you.

  10. I can’t wait to see it open and I am also willing to in the hotel as a professional spa therapist.

  11. Good morning. I thank God for you in this assignment.You are well able to take this hotel to success and abundance.
    I am availiable to be part of this vision.
    My area of expertise is Banqueting which i can add the most value as i work in Sarova Stanley hotel which does all presidentiail functions which im in charge. I need a new professional challenge come 2013. Geoffrey Mudanya 0720234176

  12. am nicholas well trained indian chef in India @park plaza hotel luthiana
    WOULD LIKE TO BE PART OF YOU 0724652398 MY CONTACT

  13. Hi Mercier congratulations ul make to be a good GM,all the best. Am a therapist with a 2year working experience,hope u will consider me. Thanks

  14. Good morning Sir I hope everything is fine . I just want to congratulate you for the position you have taken up.Am also an hotelier by profession with a Diploma in hotel management.currently working as General Manager at Grand Quality Restaurant in Nairobi-Kenya. how can I apply for a position of a outlet manager? please sir advise me.Good day sir.

  15. I wish u success in th new villa rosa kempinski opening up in nairobi. Im looking foward to join the team. Best wishes

  16. Hi, am Simon Njoroge.Am a hard working person willing to work in your company .I have worked in several hotels in Nairobi.I will appreciate if given an opportunity to achieve my greatest potential.Your response will be highly appretiated.
    I would like to work in Vila Rosa Kempinski Nairobi.
    Regards.

    Simon.

  17. am a Kenyan currently in maldives working in human resource as an accommodation manager and fire safety in charge kindly advice where to send my CV for a job in villa Rosa in Kenya. i have a vast experience in safety and security and training ranging from human resource managment and hotel managment and fire and safety and security managment. i have worked locally in Africa quote in Uganda as a human resource manager and security manager . i do understand the hospitality luxury part of work and standardization of resources to clinch the international standards so as to compete with other major stake holders in the hospitality industry .(my training are drone from local and international recognized government institutions in Dubai maldives and Kenya at large.) +9607668381 is my direct phone number

  18. i have not worked with you but i have faith in your career scope which i have gone through in linked in

  19. Hi am Ruth,
    Have been trying to get a placement for summer, but I have been told the Villa Rosa hotel is yet to open. When are you opening sir, I was born in Kenya but have lived abroad for 15 years, Needed working holiday kind of placement, Am undertaking a university degree to 2014,. am in second year of three. how can you assist SIR?

      1. Hi there,
        Hope u r doing well. Am looking for female receptionist who has also marketing skills. Kindly advice on how i can get one ASAP..

  20. Hi am Allan, had about your hotel and service you offer, you are doing a great and recommendable job. Personally i was interested to be part of your team, but cant get your online contact to send a soft copy, please assist

  21. We are HR consultants offering the following services; Executive Selection and Recruitment, Management Training and Development, Team Building, HR Outsourcing Services, Outplacement program, Organizational Diagnosis & Restructuring, Business Process Improvement and Employee Satisfaction Surveys.

    Kindly allow me to send you our company profile for your perusal and consideration.
    Thanks and have blessed day.

  22. Villarosa Hotel, my dream hotel and still having hope to be offered a chance…God see me through and bless the Chef and his entire Hotel team. You are as well most welcomed in kenya. “karibu sana

  23. Hi VillaRosa we have waited for it to open thanks for such a wonderful piece of art.My question is where can i drop my cv ,am a waitress with alot of experience and i would love to be associated with you. Thanks.

  24. Hello.have worked in the kitchen department in local restaurants for quite sometime but want to change to a room steward.Please can I get some training then you consider me?

  25. Hi my name is Betty i am 23years old , i am interested to be one of your staff as a hostess. i have three years experience as a waitress your response will be highly appreciated, my contacts are +254728557064 or muthiobetty@yahoo.com thanks

  26. hi am arif muhammed i have 11years driving experience as a tour guide..i would be very happy to be part of your team..my email ariffmuhammed@yahoo.com or 0715789349 thank in advance.

  27. Experienced security officer would like to join the team, my contact is 0708484547

  28. Hi i am vincent, i am quite interested in your new establishment , have worked in several hospitality institutions eg hotels, restaurant, bakery. I have applied for a job in pastry section in the kitchen but have not received any feedback,even just a regret letter?.so have you done the interviews already?.

  29. Hi kempinski hotel…
    Thanks for ur blog. i do believe that the hotel wil offer best hospitality in the region.
    Ok am currently working in one of adjacent fivestar hotels as a security and would like to be part of your team in the security n safety dpt. . how do i apply please?
    Thanks in advance

  30. Hi Iam Susan I Have done hotel and catering management in Nairobi Aviation College and am looking for internship,if you have any vacancies I will be very ready to work with you for more training.Thank you

  31. cograts villa rosa and am looking foward to visiting that place very soon as well as doing business with you.

  32. Thanks for setting up such a luxurious hotel in Nairobi. we from pearls of Kenya offer the best of African entertainment and shows we have performed both locally and internationally in china, France, Oman, Netherlands etc. it would be our pleasure if you considered our group to be entertaining your guests. w e do guest welcoming, live drumming and percussion. we can choreograph dances according to your specifications

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjYP6yD9tvk

    you can reach us on +254726855724 or mail pearlsofkenya@gmail.com
    thank you

  33. halo,am jane from mt.kenya university persuing a diploma in hr and am desperately looking for an industrial training from sept to enable me draduate in dec2013 would u consider me as this is a partial requirement of the course.thank you

  34. am a student at mku doing dipl in hr and i would like to consider me in as a hr intern in oct2013 to dec 2013.would apprcte so much.thankyou

  35. am a student with a diploma in hotel management and would love to join you incase you need a wait staff thanks in advance

  36. Am Hilda and i have experience in 5star hotel as laundry attendant.am looking for a post in this position.but i can also work in Front.Office.am looking forward working with you.

  37. Hi,my name is lorine and i have a Diploma in Hotel Management. il appreciate if you consider me,i worked as a waitress but would like to change and work in the reception area if i got trained. please get back at me,il so appreciate. Be Blessed.

  38. I would realy like,wish to work at villarosa to improve my skills en employ my creativity as I expand its such an inspiring en interesting industry

  39. Hi am a Kenyan citeb lady aged 20 I love everything about Kempinsky its hospitality motivates me in my learning its management is my role model as am studying hospitality.keep up the good job.