Hotel Indonesia Kempinski Jakarta, a prestigious luxury hotel known for its unrivaled service and exquisite hospitality, just announced the appointment of Harald Fitzek as its new General Manager. With over 13 years of experience as General Manager overseas, Harald brings a wealth of expertise and a passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences to his new role.
Below you will find our exclusive interview with the newly appointed General Manager who will bring a new standard and what he wants people to see of refined hospitality shrouded with a heritage value in Indonesia’s vibrant capital.
Profile of the Month: Harald Fitzek, General Manager of Hotel Indonesia Kempinski Jakarta
Can you please tell us about yourself briefly?
Now my background is, like many General Managers who have been in our companies within Kempinski, I have a culinary background, I started my career as a trainee as a chef in a Michelin-star restaurant in Bavaria. And I continued my professional life in kitchens and worked for additional Michelin-star restaurants up to a three-star Michelin restaurant in Munich.
I joined Kempinski for the first time in 1996 and had been appointed Executive Chef at the Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz, Gozo, Malta in 2003 and at the Kempinski Hotel Baltchug, Moscow, Russia in 2004. And then I went further to Ukraine and the United Kingdom, where I expanded my responsibilities into Food & Beverage and later hotel operations under the Carlson Rezidor Group.
My career then led him back to Russia, where I became the Area General Manager at Capella Hotel Group for a year. I came back to Kempinski in 2017 as General Manager at the Kempinski Hotel Dalian and then as General Manager at the Kempinski Hotel Taiyuan in 2019, and more recently as General Manager at the Kempinski Hotel Suzhou in 2021.
And now here I am in Jakarta, first time in Southeast Asia, which was kind of a dream destination to move to Southeast Asia.
What would you say about your daily routine as General Manager?
While a rigid daily routine doesn't fit my mandate to lead the Hotel Indonesia Kempinski, I do follow certain tasks, like reviewing financials and previous performances and set targets for the day. I have a flexible strategy for the day, including meetings. However, the dynamic nature of the hospitality and hotel business, with ever-changing customers, means adaptability is key.
Hotel Indonesia Kempinski Jakarta is situated in the heart of Jakarta with many other 5-star hotels in the vicinity, how would you make the hotel stand out and attract people to come, dine, and stay?
Our distinctiveness primarily stems from our rich heritage. We construct our foundational pillars based on historical legacy and community involvement, which grants us a unique position. The history of our property, our strategic location, and the esteemed luxury brand Kempinski contribute to this positioning. Above all, it's our personnel that truly set us apart, the quality of service they offer, and the strategic initiatives they implement.
As a luxury hotel group, we differentiate ourselves through our adaptability and profound respect for local cultures. I personally place immense importance on innovation, on the necessity to perceive and comprehend market trends not only within our city but also in broader contexts.
In August, Hotel Indonesia Kempinski Jakarta is celebrating its anniversary, what do you prepare for your esteemed guests during the celebration?
I think this is special as well, because we are celebrating our 61st anniversary. We are ready to celebrate Indonesia's rich heritage and history. We have different events that are best-performing arts. We are doing something for our local community where we work into charity.
Our guests definitely should not miss our F&B specials and events that we will have in our Signatures Restaurant, where we showcase President Sukarno's favorite dishes. We will have a special Indonesian platter and Our Paulaner Bräuhaus will have a lot of exciting things as well. And we are doing a social media buzz for the community to participate. And lastly, we will host a concert in our Bali room where we will feature Indonesian singers and musicians. And then we have, of course, a special event that I cannot tell very much detail yet. Just wait for the official announcements.
As you said earlier, this is your first time in Southeast Asia. What is the biggest challenge so far for you and the hotel?
Regarding the hotel, I prefer not to use the term 'challenges.' I have always wanted to lead a such a historical hotel, propelled by my passion for traveling the globe. Our primary objective, rather than a challenge, is to evolve our business and tailor our services to meet market demands. This way, we can provide experiences that guests value and are willing to experience again and again. Moving into a different country creates daily encounters that become easy when one respects and appreciates diverse cultures.
Can you describe in 3 words about your leadership style?
My leadership style is predicated on collaboration, transparency, and vision. This was my core message upon joining the team. Personally, I place significant importance on transparency. It is essential to maintain an open dialogue, listen to diverse ideas, and foster a culture of collaboration, particularly in a large organization like a hotel with hundreds of employees. I firmly believe that each individual and department plays a crucial role in forming a cohesive whole. The highest level of performance can only be achieved when everyone works in harmony and collaborates effectively. Being visionary is equally crucial. It involves forming and implementing long-term plans, outlining our desired future position, and setting achievable targets accordingly.
What are your hobbies you do during free time?
Absolutely, I'm an avid golf player! Besides that, I enjoy mountain biking and exploring the surrounding landscapes. Spending quality time with my family, particularly engaging in activities like swimming and sightseeing around the city, brings me immense joy. Being a food enthusiast, I am eager to explore the city's culinary scene, ranging from simple local eateries to high-end dining establishments.
During your tenure here in Jakarta, have you tried any local food in Jakarta? And what’s your favourite?
I tried several; the first one I tried outside the hotel was when I went North of Jakarta where we can pick the fish live from the tank. We had a bream which was grilled flat with a huge load of sambal, I think my favorite remedy right was covered with the nice chili butter flavor beautifully done especially with lemongrass and lime.
When I had a 'switch day', I went to the kitchen and asked the staff specifically to show me how to make the proper noodle and I think it's very simple dishes but then he does what a lot of attention to get them right so I had my master class and this yesterday and then I made a sort of a very nice dish to check, in the end, Chef Dodo taught me to make Mie Godog.
You’ve traveled around the world; what is your most favorite destination?
Honestly, there are countless places I cherish; it's challenging to choose just one. The Bavarian Alps, with their tranquil lakes, particularly appeal to me. It's incredibly calming to unwind by the lake during summer, with the mountain views bringing peace to my mind. However, beach destinations also captivate me. I fondly remember my trip to Bali in 2019 for The Apurva Kempinski Bali's inauguration, right before the pandemic hit. The serene beauty of Ubud, enveloped by mountains, left such an indelible impression on our son that we planned a return visit in 2020. Although the pandemic disrupted these plans, my family is overjoyed to be residing and working in Indonesia now.
Finally, what do you want to see in Hotel Indonesia Kempinski, Jakarta in 5 years?
My aspiration is to witness our continued growth and to maintain our position as a market leader. I aim for us to set innovative trends that others will emulate. I envision satisfied customers who appreciate our offerings. I look forward to you returning in five years, asking these same questions, enabling us to reflect upon the progress and transformations that have occurred.
Hotel Indonesia Kempinski Jakarta
Jl. MH Thamrin No. 1, Jakarta, 10310, Indonesia
Phone: +62 21 2358 3800
Website
