08/11/2022
Member Stories - a EHMA sense of belonging.
Manuel de Vasconcelos (France & Monaco)
Manuel has been an EHMA Member since 2012.
A few words about himself:
I am the youngest of 6 brothers and sisters, my Father was a Judge in Labor maters, and my Mother Math teacher.
Always loved travelling, foreign languages, auto racing, the Porsche brand, good food and good wines. Besides Portuguese, I can easily communicate in Spanish, French and English. And can manage in German and Italian.
I am passionate and tend to be detailed oriented, my values are enthusiasm, honesty, responsibility.
Born in the only city of Portugal where it snows (Guarda), I have lived since my 3 years old in Porto (Oporto), where I studied in official schools from 6 to 16 years old when I finished the baccalaureate.
My intention was to study for a diplomatic career, but at that time, the Portuguese Revolution of April 74 was in full swing and the Universities were constantly on strike, discussing politics in non-stop meetings and demonstrations.
So I left to London, where I started working without a work permit as Night Porter and Breakfast Waiter (at the same time, as each would pay 20£ a week) for a couple of months.
Back in Portugal I studied General Management in a private Institute, on an evening program aimed for professionals.
At the same time I was improving languages knowledge in an Institute, and selling Encyclopedias and Discount Cards door to door in Porto.
After completing the General Management course, no jobs were available, so I went to Switzerland where I started as Office Assistant of the Restaurant du Parc des Eaux Vives (a gorgeous place) in Geneva, where I would help the office work, and write by hand the clients bills during the meal periods.
Still in Switzerland, I afterwards did Night Porter at the Motel Intereurop in Cully, and then moved to Lausanne first as Waiter at the Royal Savoy, then at Brasserie Le Vaudois, and in the end at Chalet des Bains.
At that moment I entered the Glion Hotel School, which I completed in 1981when I was not yet 23.
After Glion I wanted to join the traditional hotellerie, Gstaad Palace, Hotel de Paris, type of places, but I thought that I first should learn with an american company.
While waiting for news from Sheraton or Hilton, I took a job of Sub Director of the Aparthotel Auramar , from a Portuguese Hotel group, in the Algarve, where I stayed 1 year.
I had an interview in London with Hilton International, where I was asked which position I would like to start, and I said that I would like to work in Sales , in Germany.
A month later a proposal came in, for a position of F&B Controller of the Cartagena Hilton in Colombia (!).
I took the job (it was well paid), and did it for 1,5 years before being promoted to Assistant F&B, and 6 months later to F&B Mgr.
And there I met Mariana who became later on my wife.
From Colombia I went with 25 years old to Sao Paulo as F&B Mgr of the Sao Paulo Hilton, (the mother of all the hotels in Brazil, an institution) where I stayed 2 years, and then went to Pittsburgh in the USA as F&B Mgr of the 620-room Vista International
(nowadays the Westin Pittsburgh).
In 1989 I wanted to come back to Europe to be closer to my Father who was ill, so I accepted a job as F&B Mgr of the new to open Hilton Barcelona. Unfortunately the work permit never came, so I quit Hilton.
Joined Sheraton Porto a couple of months later as EAM in charge of F&B, and 2 years later was transferred to Sao Paulo (again) with the same position where I also stayed 2 years at the Luxury Collection Mofarrej Sheraton.
Back to Portugal, to the Sheraton Lisboa & Towers as Resident Mgr for 2 years , and then Acting GM for a couple of months of the Luxury Collection Hotel Mencey in Tenerife during the transition of the hotel from Ciga to Sheraton.
In 1996 I took the GM position at the Luxury Collection Hotel Maria Cristina in San Sebastian, Spain, where I stayed 6 years, before transferring to the LC Prince de Galles in Paris, where I stayed 10 years having closed the hotel for the renovation and following the works for 1,5 years. One day my boss asked me “Would you like to go to Monaco?” and as I love auto racing and the sea, I did not hesitate to say yes and here I am at Le Meridien Beach Plaza where I have been since 10 years.
The Meridien Beach Plaza is a 397-room hotel including 18 Suites. It is ocated on the beach and has a connected Conference Center with 14 meeting rooms and an area of 3000 m2. The only hotel in Monaco with a private beach, it also has 2 external swimming pools and an internal swimming pool., and Fitness Center ans Saunas. One all-year restaurant Intempo by Sergi Arola, a 24-hour Rooom Service and a Longitude Bar, plus one beach restaurant The Alang Bar, and a Summer restaurant Muse during the season.
I have been very fortunate and always lived in paradise-places ! I keep very fond memories of all the 15 cities and 9 countries where I lived so far !
My most recent success is…
having achieved after several months to implement a great partnership with the renowned Chef Sergi Arola.
The challenge ahead of myself / my team is...
the renovation or extension of our management contract which currently expires in Sept 2023.
My biggest surprise / discovery is…
probably the kayak ride we did some years ago in the bioluminescent bay in Vieques, Puerto Rico.
I look forward to...
the next EHMA Assembly in Lisbon and to the end of the war in Ukraine and every war!!
The idea I’d like to share is...
that we should all reflect on the fact that the borders between countries are all made by men, and really young when one looks into history.
Dear Manuel, thank you very much for sharing your insights in Member's Corner!
