GM Speak

In tune with its dharma

A hotel that believes in practicing the eight dharmas of the Upanishads, The Leela Kempinksi Bangalore has been a recipient of many awards. Charles De Foucault, its GM, talks about the stuff that drives the team to deliver consistently. By Gayatri Vijaykumar

Charles De Foucault GM Leela Kempinksi, Bangalore

Recipient of many awards and accolades, The Leela Kempinski has been nominated in the best rooms category in the Conde Nast Gold List 2008 and even been awarded the Leading Business Hotel India Award 2007 at the World Travel Asia, Australasia and Indian Ocean Awards.

Despite these acknowledgements, Charles De Foucault, the hotel's general manager, says, "It is extremely hard to work for a luxury hotel in India primarily because demands and expectations are very high. However, it is the warmth of the employees that makes the Leela different. People come here on business and experience a truly incredible experience."

Explaining that the zest for excellence starts with the vision of its chairman Captain CP Nair, he says, "We at the Leela practice the eight dharmas of the Upanishads. Also, the selection process to get through any of the Leela properties is quite tough. The chairman usually appoints people with experience from the Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons and other top hospitality brands to manage the properties."

The hotel recently underwent a renovation and added 105 rooms to its existing inventory of 252 rooms bringing their total inventory to 357. Each room is approximately 55 to 58 square metres making them the largest rooms in the country, above the industry average of 40 square metres. This earned Leela the Conde Nast Gold List 2008 nomination in the best rooms category. At the Leela, attention is paid to the smallest details.

Foucault ensures that he gives personal attention to all that is happening at the hotel. A typical day for him would start with a walk through the property. "My day starts with a walk through the entire property. I begin by checking the front of the house. This includes checking the landscape, the front office, making sure that all the cushions are in place. I then move to the back office which covers housekeeping, cafeteria, loading dock and the engineering departments," explains Foucault.

Employee satisfaction is also accorded top priority here. According to Foucault, all new employees are addressed by members of the executive committee - top members who overlook operations in the hotel. "In the Leela we strongly believe that happy employees create happy customers. We run the Leela like an international organisation and follow an open door policy based on transparency."

An avid motorbiker and equally passionate about wines, Foucault has been in the industry for the past 32 years. "My background is in F&B. I am passionate about wines and have worked as a sommelier in Bermuda." Foucault's last assignment prior to joining the Leela Group was with the Ritz Carlton, Bahrain. "I grew up with the Ritz Carlton group and worked at its properties throughout the US and in international locations such as South Korea, Bahrain and Montreal." It was at the

Ritz Carlton in Seoul, South Korea that Foucault met Captain Nair and decided to join the Leela group. According to him, Leela's growth has been outstanding. "I am very happy to be associated with the Leela. I plan to continue with the group and help make a difference to the hospitality industry," says he.