HOTELIER OF THE WORLD
INDEPENDENT
PIERRE
JOCHEM
GENERAL MANAGER AND SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OPERATIONS , LA MAMOUNIA HOTEL , MARRAKECH , MOROCCO
Pierre Jochem joined the La
Mamounia team as general manager in September 2013 and recently led the legendary Marrakech property through a major renovation . It culminated in 2020 , preserving the charm , heritage and signature architecture of the 97-year-old building , while expanding facilities and experiences for the modern traveler .
With his vast international experience , Jochem has greatly influenced many beautiful establishments throughout his career , spanning a variety of prestigious hotel groups . For more than 20 years , Jochem managed brands such as Hyatt , Peninsula , Oberoi , Four Seasons and Raffles with the same foundational goal : Excellence .
He was most recently general manager and regional vice president of operations , Asia Pacific , for Raffles Hotels & Resorts , Singapore , from November 2008 to May 2013 . Jochem is credited with improving the work culture and increasing guest satisfaction and employee engagement scores , as well as top line revenue and profitability . He also worked for Raffles in Cambodia , China and the Seychelles .
Among other career highlights was a stint as vice president and general manager of The Imperial Hotel in New Delhi , India , from January 2003 to July 2008 ; hotel manager at The Pierre , a Four Seasons hotel in New York City , New York , from August 2000 through January 2002 ; general manager of The Oberoi in New Delhi from July 1998 through July 2000 ; and hotel manager at the Peninsula Group ’ s Palace Hotel in Beijing , China , from November 1994 through June 1998 .
Throughout his career , Jochem has been the kind of leader whose personal and professional values are closely linked . Prioritizing consistency , he has always inspired his teams to come together and strive for excellence .
Under his guidance , La Mamounia has won many accolades , including the Condé Nast Traveler Readers ’ Choice Award for “ Best Hotel in the World ” in 2015 , and in 2018 , the Condé Nast Traveler Award for the “ Best Urban Hotel in the World .”
“ First there was a dream , a dream of timelessness , a desire to enshrine La Mamounia in its time but out of time ,”
Jochem says of the renovation . “ This house has always seduced by its aura , its nobility and its elegance . It is a renovation that I imagined in every detail , and Patrik Jouin and Sanjit Manku [ architect and designer ] brought to life … A renovation that will make the atmospheres dance and the energies shine … It took three months and 300 craftsmen to rethink these places , the theatre of new , custom-designed experiences . A renovation , which I prefer to call innovation , in all of its wonder and magic ! Focusing on touching the soul of this place we all cherish .”
La Mamounia obtained the Green Key label , the first international eco-label for tourism facilities that promote sustainable tourism . In keeping with its perpetual quest for excellence , La Mamounia is committed to actively promoting sustainable tourism by respecting nature and its many benefits . An investment of up to 4 million dirhams has been allocated so far , which includes the installation of solar thermal panels and upgrading to LED lamps . Because of these initial changes , La Mamounia has successfully reduced its carbon footprint by nearly 175 tons per year .
26 hotelsmag . com March / April 2021