In Conversation with… Aurelio Giraudo

FACT catches up with Aurelio Giraudo, Cluster General Manager at Banyan Tree Doha and La Cigale Hotel Managed by Accor.


Do you recall your first foray into the hospitality industry?

I started working during my college days. Every evening I would go to our family restaurant and manage the operations. This is where I fell in love with the hospitality industry. My inspiration was seeing what my parents did. It created the passion in me that still inspires me to this day. My first ‘real’ job was with Princess Cruises, as part of their food and beverage operations. I then moved to London, joining the Savoy Hotel’s restaurant operations. I also worked in South Africa for the Wild Coast Sun Resort where I learned a lot in that amazing country. I moved to Doha two years back and I enjoy each and every day I spend in this beautiful city.

Were there any mentors who influenced the way you work and think? And if so, can you share with us the value of their wisdom and how you apply it?

I was lucky early in my career to find a mentor and role model in the Director of Food and Beverage at The Savoy London and my direct boss. It was the best learning experience of my life and the exposure and confidence I took from it helped me get where I am. He fostered in me core service culture and hospitality values. I always remember him saying ‘we are the supporting actors, while the guest is the lead’. He was a good salesman, anticipating guests’ preferences, for example proposing menus based on their nationalities. I’ve applied this business acumen throughout my career. I also look up to my current VP and CEO and learn a lot from them daily.

Banyan Tree Doha is located in the iconic Msheireb Downtown Precinct. Can you tell us how the decision was made to bring your signature hotel there, and what the strategic benefits of this are for the hotel and its patrons?

Our owners had a vision to invest in and build a unique project a one-stop destination comprised of a luxury hotel, lavish residences, fine-dining restaurants, a prestigious department store, cinemas and a theme park. Banyan Tree Doha Hotel & Residences has come a long way from project phase to fully functional hotel and residences. Our property is strategically located in the heart of Doha, close to Hamad International Airport and midway between two key routes into the city. We’re flanked by the Corniche and West Bay’s commercial towers, adjacent to Qatar’s seat of government and a leading tourist attraction in Souk Waqif. Our hotel is part of what will become a new social and civic hub.

Under the current pandemic restrictions what innovations is La Cigale Hotel Doha employing to create exciting user experiences and boost occupation?

A new business model evolved during this period and will continue post pandemic. We use social media to showcase the guest’s journey through lifestyle videos, before they arrive. La Cigale offers an extensive selection of food as a buffet-in-a-box which guests can order directly or through one of our online portals. We’re focused on food delivery sales with listings on all major delivery apps. Through menu re-engineering, we’ve increased takeaway sales. We’re participating in Chefs of Qatar Virtual Food Festival organised by the Qatar National Tourism Council, with Talabat and Qatar Airways, for the local market. To drive hotel occupancies, we are running Staycation and Daycation packages and participating with Accor regional level campaigns to target the loyalty database and drive volume.

Can you share with us some of your funniest moments in your career, perhaps with strange requests by guests, or unusual, memorable incidents?

One particularly interesting incident was during my time at a hotel in Bali. I had a request from a lady who wanted to swim in our pool at night. We explained to her the policies and procedures, but she was adamant and went to the pool for a swim anyway. As the water had just received its nightly intake of chlorine her hair turned a violet colour. While it was a very funny sight, I took it seriously, chatted to her, and offered to pay her for hair treatment. We also made her room complimentary. She was surprised by the gesture and went on to become one of our most regular guests and a good friend of the hotel. ✤