Hansjoerg Maissen

Hans Maissen’s experience has spanned the globe. For seven years he was managing director of the Grand Hotel du Cap Ferrat, France and vice-president of operations for the Bel-Air Group during the two years the hotel was under Bel-Air's management. He planned and executed a total refurbishment of the Grand Hotel du Cap Ferrat, bringing it back to its old splendor and regaining its status as one of Europe's most affluent resorts. Prior to his tenure at Grand Hotel du Cap Ferrat, Hans held various senior management positions throughout the world, including regional director for Marriott Hotels-Saudi Arabia. He oversaw the opening of three Marriott Hotels, as well as the opening of the Athens Marriott in Greece. Additionally, Hans held the position of director of food & beverage for the Trusthouse Forte Group of 380 hotels.

Hans was managing director of the Windsor Court Hotel in New Orleans for seven years. Under Hans' tutelage, the luxury establishment became the number one hotel in the world, according to Conde Nast Traveler magazine's 1998 Reader's Choice Survey. It was also number one in America four years from 1995 through1998. The hotel's Grill Room restaurant was awarded the prestigious Mobil five-star rating, one of only 14 restaurants in America.

Hans brought five-star service standards to the golf experience while managing three public golf courses - two at Pelican Hill Golf Club in Newport Beach, California and the third at Oak Creek Golf Club in Irvine, California. During this time he was part of the development team for Pelican Hill Resort, a luxury resort with 328 rooms, a 20,000 square foot spa built around the golf courses. Has was responsible for the successful transition of the Four Seasons hotel in Newport Beach to the owner operated Island Hotel. During his tenure, The Island Hotel was admitted into the prestigious Leading Hotels of the World and maintained its AAA five-diamond rating.

Hans began his career working in the kitchen of his father's restaurant in Switzerland. From there, he spent seven years in various kitchens throughout Switzerland before entering and graduating from the Zurich Hotel School. He then joined the Intercontinental Hotel chain in Geneva as a restaurant cashier and worked his way up within Intercontinental through all hotel departments in such countries as Switzerland, England, Germany and West Africa, ending up as manager of Intercontinental-Dubai, United Arab Emirates. During his time with Intercontinental, he handled the pre-opening and opening of the Intercontinental-Libereville, Gabon and Intercontinental-Hyde Park Corner in London.

Through his extensive hospitality career, Hans has earned numerous honors. Among them: a nomination in 1976 to the high distinction of Officer of the Franco-Britianique Association for civil services rendered to France. In 1994, Hans received the Medal of Tourisme from French Government and was honored General Manager of the Year by the "Master Guide." The "American Travel Digest Publication" has three times named Hans one of the "World's Fifty Best Hoteliers."

Hans speaks five languages: English, French, Italian, German and Spanish.