Hospitality from the Heart

The beachside hotel they opened last month has already created 95 new jobs, and 100 more are set to follow. For an area so often “forgotten” by the rest of the Algarve - and in these times of economic doom and gloom - the news comes as a welcome ray of sunshine.

We visit the Sterns, and get to hear their unique philosophy.

“Every step of the way in this huge journey we’ve been aware that we had to develop in the right way – for Sagres, for Portugal and for us as well,” Chitra, 39, was brought up in Singapore, where the work ethic is served for breakfast. She’s an electronics engineer, MBA (Master of Business Administration), chartered accountant, and mother-of-three (with a new baby on the way). “For me, there is huge responsibility when it comes to land. There is the public interest to be considered.”

But what made them bet on Martinhal – ten years ago, a remote bay on the south-westernmost point of Europe, with just two clinker-built beach bars and lots of scrubland and rocks?

“Passion!” Roman, 42, smiles instantly – although his wife is keen to list the legion of rational arguments to back this all up:

“Aside from our excitement at finding such a beautiful beach, there was the fact that it was within a protected natural park, with an historic fortress down the road. No-one tells you anything about Sagres when you arrive here, but it’s really such an extraordinary place. “Finis terra”, the end of the world, Cape St Vincent - where all the discoverers set off from! Add to that the fact that the Via do Infante was, in those days, nearing completion; the North/ South highway was giving Lisbon easy-access to the Algarve (at last); Faro airport was doubling its capacity; there was the start of low-cost flights. It all added up! We had no doubt that we could make it. This dream would work! We began with a housing development, but we always knew that a hotel would have to be at the heart of the site. It couldn’t just be another housing estate”…

“But not everyone could see what we saw,” Roman, also an MBA, takes up the tale. “Both our sets of parents almost had heart attacks…”

Fortunately the couple’s powers of persuasion, combined with business acumen, convinced another successful duo to come on board. Nigel Chapman and Nicholas Dickinson had built up the Four Winds Luxury Family Hotel group in the UK, and were ready for a new international challenge.

“We spent a year looking for the right hotel partners,” Chitra explains. “We set out to be different from the majority of hotel projects, which are “developer led”- and not necessarily properly designed from a hotelier’s point of view. We wanted a product that had all the interests aligned from the start…”

And the results are now so clear for all to see. Beautifully appointed, attractively decorated rooms and facilities, using top-quality products, cutting no corners.

“I can’t imagine a nicer more beautiful place to work”, receptionist Eduardo looked out over the gently lapping ocean. “Everything here is perfect.”

“We have great staff,” Chitra smiles. “They’re highly-qualified, with the right attitude. They smile – genuinely. It’s hospitality from the heart that we’re working on here – and the feed back that we’ve had from the guests so far has been great.”

In line with their concept of “corporate social responsibility”, the couple has set up “Martinhal Academy”, to work in tandem with local job centres and train people for the industry.

“We want to employ as many local people as possible”, Chitra explains – adding that the resort will be promoting all sorts of outdoor activities, and boosting local businesses in the process. Windsurfing, surfing, bird-watching, horse-riding, cycling, nature walks, diving and fishing are just a few of the many possibilities on offer. Indeed, the hotel already has a fleet of bicycles at guests’ disposal.

Another way of involving the community comes in the form of their “village square” at the heart of the resort. “We aim to keep it busy – full of life, with regular events, markets, workshops, concerts, you name it. The idea is to bring local life into the resort – and create an atmosphere that will benefit our guests.”

“Year round tourism IS possible”, Chitra stresses, “but you have to have the facilities and concepts to back it up.”

Thus the resort boasts five different pool areas (one indoor), a spa, gym, tennis courts, paddle tennis, a multi-purpose sports court, 3 gourmet restaurants and other smaller food and beverage areas, commercial outlets (selling local produce) – all sorts of activity areas for children and teenagers, conference areas… in short, something for everyone, whatever the season.

But what of the current economic climate? Are they expecting a lot at a time of global financial recession?

“The more unique your product, the higher the chance of being able to survive,” says Chitra. “Even in a recession, people need breaks anda holidays – and Portugal has so much to offer. As a tourist destination, we have every chance of making it.”

“It’s all to do with how you see things,” adds Roman. “People so often think that the glass is half empty – when they need to see that the glass is actually half full! That is such an important point for mentalities. We are “good” here in Portugal – no matter what’s broadcast in the news. This is a beautiful destination with friendly people, wonderful climate, food, culture, history… The perfect place for holidays – and Martinhal is a magical location. You could just sit looking out at that ocean for hours…”