《大酒店》四月封面故事： 推陈出新 独具一格 ——专访佛山新城保利洲际酒店总经理弗睿德先生

Introducing New Strategies to 

Create a Unique Experience

--Exclusive Interview with

Mr. Fredy Pascal Hauc,

General Manager of 

InterContinental Foshan New City

 推陈出新 独具一格

——专访佛山新城保利洲际酒店总经理

弗睿德先生

佛山，千年文化古城，传承岭南文化；隶属珠三角腹地，自古是富饶之地。随着“广佛一体化”及粤港澳大湾区战略的实施，逐步走向国际化大都市。酒店，作为旅游形象和经济实力的表征，一定程度上推动城市发展。佛山新城保利洲际酒店的入驻为这座城市锦上添花。

2021年2月7日，佛山新城保利洲际酒店正式开业，新年伊始为佛山带来新的面貌。佛山新城保利洲际酒店是佛山第二家洲际酒店，继承洲际酒店的经典之外，打破传统，推陈出新。在采访总经理弗睿德先生之前，笔者看到酒店的宣传视频，不同寻常的表现形式十分抓人眼球。在视频中，弗睿德先生一改传统总经理形象，穿着休闲，以载歌载舞的方式和员工互动，全方位展现酒店，整个过程轻松欢乐。看完不禁感慨，果然是我们老朋友弗睿德先生的风格。随性又热情，创新又前卫。他常常被称为浪漫主义的老牌酒店人。在他身上既能看到多年积累的沉稳，也能感受与时俱进的心态。

弗睿德先生出生于法国，拥有超过30年的从业经验，曾服务于多个国家的奢华酒店及知名餐厅并担任重要管理职务，足迹遍布欧洲、美洲、亚洲及中东地区。12年的在华经历，让他熟知并热爱这个国家，他说道：“2020年的新冠，让人心有余悸，但我感到非常幸运，在这段特殊时间，我留在中国，我看到了中国的强大。疫情的发生无论对于酒店还是业主来说，都具有发人深思的价值，让我们思考在未来的市场中，怎么样的酒店才能获得青睐。”

疫情的常态化，“酒店宅度假”的兴起，“酒店即目的地”的旅游模式盛行。作为一家新开业的酒店，地理位置便成为客人入住时优先考虑的因素。“酒店地处佛山新城东平桥南岸，隶属新城核心商务区，距离广佛地铁东平站咫尺之遥，可直达佛山祖庙，岭南天地，亦可方便前往广州。酒店毗邻潭州国际会展中心，距离佛山沙堤机场直线距离约20公里，广州白云国际机场直线距离约60公里。”弗睿德先生介绍道，“优越的地理位置及便捷的交通，可以吸引商务客人下榻，周边的景点也能吸引旅游客人的目光。”

佛山新城保利洲际酒店开业便成为“网红”酒店，吸引不少客人纷纷打卡。酒店由全球十大酒店设计事务所HBA匠心设计，将传承千年广府岭南神韵与现代奢华风格融合。酒店建筑外观简洁明朗，气派的外观造型寓意“天灯升空”，在中国传统中寄托希望、和谐、平安之意。进入大堂，前后两幅巨型壁画展现了当地风土人情和特色建筑。岭南非物质文化遗产元素“剪纸”、“灯笼”和“陶艺”等设计元素也点缀于客房装饰中。弗睿德先生解释道：“我们秉承洲际品牌特色，将始终如一的全球奢华标准与本地文化成功融合，让商务和休闲客人不仅能够尊享奢华服务，还能了解千年古城的文化魅力。”

酒店拥有310间设计优雅的客房，其中套房27间，面积自48平方米至318平方米不等，凭窗而眺，流光溢彩的佛山新城即刻映入眼帘。行政级别及以上客房均配备菲拉格慕洗浴用品、雀巢胶囊咖啡机、戴森吹风机、BOSE音箱、金可儿床品等高端配套用品。宽敞的房间和完善的设备可以让客人得到充分的休息。酒店帕提欧户外庭院的恒温儿童泳池及儿童游乐园让小客人拥有专属娱乐空间。

弗睿德先生热爱生活，认真敬业。在交谈的过程中，他喜欢用生活的方方面面与酒店连接，用以预测酒店未来发展方向。在他看来，酒店所提供的服务，是让客人生活更美好。民以食为天，美食成为酒店与客人沟通交流的桥梁。“我非常喜欢品尝美食。佛山是一座美食城市，酒店的四家餐厅也同样值得大家尝试。位于酒店一层的月色西餐，将本土餐飨与寰球美食融会贯通，甄选当日鲜活上乘海鲜，现场烹饪顶级牛羊扒，现场制作啫啫煲，现煎位上鹅肝。开放式厨房可近距离欣赏大厨炉火纯青的手艺。更有马爹利、芝华士、百龄坛等名贵洋酒无限畅饮。紧邻西餐的大堂酒廊，提供各式葡萄酒、特调鸡尾酒、咖啡茗茶及特色下午茶套餐，让商务会谈或知己小聚皆备感安闲适意。我们中餐厅不同于其他洲际酒店的彩丰楼，我们称之为御公馆，由资深粤厨掌勺主理，秉承‘不时不食’的烹饪理念，甄选地道食材，融合京鲁菜、江浙菜的精髓，让新派粤味珍馐在唇齿间流连荡漾。位于酒店二层的恰餐厅与酒吧作为城中首屈一指的现代牛扒馆，恰餐厅与酒吧严选顶尖牛肉、上乘海鲜、创新鸡尾酒和葡萄酒，让客人流连忘返。” 弗睿德先生说道。

佛山新城保利洲际酒店同样不会让商务客人失望。1,000平方米新城宴会厅、400平方米东平宴会厅以及11间大小不等的多功能会议室，逾3,000平方米超大会务空间，都配备多媒体影音、有线及无线宽带接入等高科技会议设施。客人在高科技的辅助下，尽善尽美举办各类商务会奖、宴会活动及婚宴庆典。同时经验丰富的洲际会务团队会根据需求竭尽全力提供全程宴会与会议策划服务，洲际行家主厨亦精于打造专属饕餮晚宴与特色茶歇，为客人带来难忘的洲际行家会议体验。“工作之余，我会进行一些运动来保持身心健康，我相信客人也需要劳逸结合，酒店六层健身中心配备顶尖专业训练器械，室内恒温泳池宽敞明亮，配有按摩池及桑拿房。”

一家酒店由一位合适的总经理管理，可以最大程度上绽放独属它的魅力。弗睿德先生个人品质和酒店特色相得益彰，相辅相成。佛山新城保利洲际酒店作为最新开业的洲际集团旗下的酒店，呈现出不同一般的开业面貌。这与他的团队管理观念有很大关系。“酒店的每一位员工都代表酒店的形象，想要让酒店呈现一个舒适高雅的入住氛围，首先就要为员工提供愉快的工作环境。我不愿意做管理者，更想和他们成为朋友，和他们一起探索，成长。尊重、信任和沟通是我们的相处之道。2021预示新的开始，在新的一年，我会带领员工展现不一样的佛山新城保利洲际酒店。”

Foshan is a culturally-loaded city in the south of the Nanling Mountains (aka the Lingnan region in Chinese) with over thousands of years of history. As part of the Pearl River Delta, it has been a place of abundance since ancient times. With the implementation of the “Urban Integration of Guangzhou and Foshan” as well as the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area (GBA) plan, Foshan is becoming an international metropolis. Hotels as a symbol of growing tourism and economic strength, to some extent, play an important role in driving a city forward. The arrival of InterContinental Foshan New City is another true manifesto of the fast-growing city.

February 7^th 2021 marks the opening of InterContinental Foshan New City, a grand celebration for the brand-new image of Foshan. As the second property of InterContinental in the city, the new luxury star aims to adopt new approaches while building on the success of traditions. Before the interview with Mr. Fredy Pascal Hauc, General Manager of InterContinental Foshan New City, the author had the opportunity to watch the highly creative and awe-inspiring video of the hotel, in which Fredy, dressed in a casual outfit, joined his staff in joyful singing and dancing to offer a holistic view of the new hotel. It is truly the old friend we have known from earlier years, easy-going, passionate, innovative and advanced-thinking. Well-known for his romantic style, Mr. Fredy Pascal Hauc is an established hotelier with years of experience and an open mind that allows him to keep pace with the times.

A native of France, Fredy has acquired over three decades of international practice by holding numerous senior management positions in luxury hotels and restaurants across Europe, Americas, the Middle East, and Asia. In his recent 12 years of adventure in China, Fredy has become knowledgeable and passionate about this country. He says, “The Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 has left an incredible impact on the world. I feel fortunate to have stayed in China and witnessed its strong response to the crisis during these unprecedented months. The outbreak is a meaningful lesson-learning experience for both hotel managers and property owners, as it encourages people to think what would make a hotel popular in the future market.”

The pandemic is now a more regular factor in our daily life, with the concepts of “staycation” becoming increasingly popular. As a result, the geographic location of a newly opened hotel becomes the top filter among consumers. “Located in the south bank of the Dongping River and the center of the new CBD, the hotel is steps away from the Dongping Station of Guangfo Metro, connected conveniently to local attractions, such as Zu Temple and Lingnan Tiandi, and the city of Guangzhou. Neighboring the Tanzhou International Convention and Exhibition Center, it is within the 20 km radius from the Foshan Shadi Airport and the 60 km radius from the Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport.” Fredy explains, “The superior location and the convenient transportation make us a popular choice among business travelers and a great starting point for those who plan to explore the area.”

InterContinental Foshan New City has become an Internet sensation since its inception, attracting lots of people to come. This sophisticated hotel, designed by HBA, one of the top ten hospitality design studios in the world, is a fusion between exclusive Lingnan elegance and contemporary chic to all travelers. Concise and sharp, the hotel’s iconic building is a metaphor of “ascending of a sky lantern”, symbolizing “hope, harmony and safety” in traditional Chinese culture. The two massive wall paintings in the reception hall feature local customs and classic architectural styles. The intangible cultural heritage of Foshan, such as papercut, lantern, and pottery, are also integrated into the decorations of guest rooms. Fredy describes, “We are determined to highlight the unique feature of the InterContinental brand, where our uncompromised global standard and the local culture are integrated as one so that the hotel is not only a luxury stay for business and leisure travelers but a place to promote the charm of this ancient city.”

The hotel accommodates 310 exquisite guest rooms, including 27 suites with areas ranged from 48 m² to 318 m². From the windows of the guest rooms, guests may enjoy the panoramic skyline of Foshan New City right in front of their eyes. Club InterContinental rooms and above come with Ferragamo amenities, Nespresso coffee machine & capsules, Dyson hair dryer, BOSE speaker, King Koil mattress among other high-end labels. The large space and sound facilities ensure good rest for our guests. In the Patio outdoor garden, there is a heated kid’s pool and kid's club, a family-friendly space exclusively designed for our young guests.

Fredy is a dedicated hotelier who loves life and always keeps a positive mindset. In our conversation, the seasoned general manager connects the dots in everyday life with the features of hotels to predict the future development in the sector. In his opinion, the service provided by a hotel should aim at creating a better life for customers. As the famous Chinese idiom goes, “People view food as their primary need.” Therefore, delicious food is the bridge that connects a hotel with its guests. “I have cravings for delicious food. Foshan is the right place. The four restaurants in the hotel are worth paying a visit to. Café Aqua on the 1st floor is the perfect place where guests may savor local favorites and international flavors, including premium fresh catch seafood, prime beef and lamb steak prepared right in front of your eyes, sizzling meat clay pot, and pan-seared foie gras. Get inspired by our highly skilled chefs’ cooking techniques from the open kitchen and enjoy our portfolio of finest wine and spirits, including Martell, Chivas, and Ballantine. Next to the Café Aqua, Lobby Lounge is an excellent option for casual meetings and friends’ gatherings where an extensive selection of wines, cocktails, coffees and teas, as well as featured afternoon tea sets are offered for guests’ indulgence. Rather than the often-seen Chinese restaurant Cai Feng Lou in other InterContinental hotels, ours is named Canal Luna, or Yu Gong Guan in Chinese, which is proud to present a variety of Cantonese gourmets well prepared by master chefs. Considering the essence of Cantonese culinary that prioritizes freshness among all other qualities, only fresh ingredients are selected and cooked with creative techniques, making the best of the essence of traditional Peking, Shandong, Jiangsu and Zhejiang cuisines. Last but not least, CHAR bar & grill on the 2nd floor, as one of the best steak houses in town, specializes in its premium branded beef, seafood, creative cocktails and wines, where our dedicated culinary team brings out their best creations to offer guests an unforgettable dining experience,” according to Fredy. 

InterContinental Foshan New City is equally confident in its service for business travelers. With an area of more than 3,000 m² for event and conference, including the 1,000-square-meter New City Grand Ballroom, the 400-square-meter Dongping Ballroom and 11 multifunctional meeting rooms with different dimensions and capacities, equipped with state-of-the-art-technologies including multi-media visual and audio systems, high-speed internet and WIFI access, the hotel is a premium choice for hosting MICE, banquets and wedding. Moreover, at InterContinental, our experienced servicing team provides professional planning for events and meetings, and the chefs of The InterContinental Collection are dedicated to offering an exclusive experience that helps our guests stay sharp on break and dinner. “After work, I am used to doing some sports to keep fit, both body and mind. I believe our guests need the same rejuvenation. We have a 24-hour gym on the sixth floor, equipped with state-of-the-art equipment for fitness training, an indoor heated swimming pool that is spacious and well-lit, massage whirlpools, and sauna rooms.”

It is important that a hotel finds its right manager, which would give full play to its unique potential. Mr. Fredy Pascal Hauc’s outstanding personal qualities and the characteristics of the hotel are truly complement and build on each other. InterContinental Foshan New City has taken on a truly remarkable launch, as the most recently opened property of the InterContinental brand, which cannot be divorced from Fredy’s philosophy in team management. “Each employee here represents the image of the hotel. To create a luxurious environment of comfort and elegance for guests, you have to create a pleasant working environment for the staff first. Rather than a supervisor, I prefer to be a friend to people who work here so that we can explore and develop together. Respect, trust, and communication is the way. The year 2021 marks a new starting point, and in this new year, I am confident in working with my team to present a unique InterContinental Foshan New City.”