MBR_ISSUE 42_LowRes

Malta Business Review
INTERVIEW OF THE MONTH
Continued from pg 13
Hugo’s Hotels Infinity Pool Deck & Lounge
instalment, with the launch of H Hotel,
which is comprised of 168 guest rooms and
lavish suites, with many of them enjoying
the stunning views of St. Georges Bay and its
surrounding skyline. Set atop H Hotel, is the
ultra-luxurious Infinity pool, cocktail lounge
& Dom Perignon Champagne Bar, which
officially opened to the public in 2017.
Hugo explains, “It’s absolutely essential
that you are certain about becoming an
entrepreneur because it’s a very hard thing
to do with an enormous amount of hard
work involved. You need to have the ability to
prolong your endurance and not give up on
what you believe in. It’s always good to keep
in mind that prior disappointment has been
behind so many success stories and many a
great man has had to endure failure before
reaching their goals. Countless individuals
have ideas but very few actually carry them
out. Only some of us can take the hard work
and sleepless nights required to achieve our
dreams.” He talks a lot about making decisions
and that it ultimately comes down to having
made more right decisions than wrong ones.
After more than 30 years of being in the
business, Hugo, who is still a hands-on
person, enjoys running and managing his
company with the vigour, dynamism and
attention he is well known for. There have
been many misconceptions and gossip
generated about Hugo’s past. Only a few
insiders, besides his family, know Hugo as
a fun-loving, down-to-earth, hard-working
and extremely generous person, who has
met every challenge life has thrown in his
way. “I had to think about something to
welcome the people here and I wanted to
offer something completely different to the
norm. The design, features and emphasis on
comfort and client satisfaction is clearly visible
to everyone. In fact the enormous amount of
positive comments, which you can also see
on platforms such as Trip Advisor etc., are
testimony to this,” says Hugo.
Hospitality and entertainment
life is special; it’s a way of life and
you either love it or hate it.
I asked Hugo how important is it to have
owners that focus on the long-term. With a
sharp, intense look, he replied, “It’s critical.
Owners have to work with the operators, with
the hotel management team and all the staff
in order to reap the rewards. It’s a challenge
today for owners to see why they should
invest, when their return isn’t there. It’s also
really important for hotel managers to be
honest with owners about such challenges.
We are one team with the same goal at the
end of the day. Hospitality and entertainment
life is special; it’s a way of life and you either
love it or hate it. I certainly love it, even after
all these years in the industry.”
Discussing where the property is today and
if there are changes on the horizon, Hugo
rationalises, “We are privileged that we are
in a position to make changes. The hotel is in
great shape in terms of the product, but we
are already looking to ‘what’s next’. I’m willing
to invest in the product so it can be a top
competitor at all times. We want to be ahead
of the curve when it comes to the product, so
we are already discussing our direction and
strategy for the upcoming years. Like this we
can ensure that we have a clear direction of
what we need to accomplish in the future.
We are interrupted by a call that Hugo has to
take with one of his managers, probably on one
of the huge hotel project he has established.
We wish each other good luck and I leave
inspired by what this man has shared with me
and what he has accomplished.
Upon leaving, his Marketing and PR manager
takes me aside and assures me that there is
much more to come with a completely new
project on the horizon. Another of Hugo’s
dreams which is finally coming to fruition. MBR
COMPANY BRIEF
Encompassing artfully modern luxury and
lifestyle hotel brands in Malta, Hugo’s
Group (www.hugosmalta.com) is a leader
in managed properties and entertainment.
Establishing foothold in 1987, the innovative
Paceville-based business mogul today owns
over 45 establishments and oversees the
management, development, and expansion
of Hugo’s Hotels and the Hugo proprietary
brands that include Hugo’s Boutique Hotel,
Hugo’s Pizza & Pasta, Hugo’s Lounge, Hugo’s
Passion, Hugo’s Terrace, The Rooftop,
Hugo’s Pub, Hugo’s Burger Bar, Hugo’s Bacco
and Hugo’s Energy Drink, as well as other
trusted marks from leading local hospitality
player. Hugo’s Hotels has incorporated new
construction and new concepts in sustainable
building practices and design.
All rights reserved - Copyright 2018
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