Mary Gostelow Girlahead Podcast Bob van den Oord - COO of Langham Luxury Hotels & Resorts
Oct 8, 2020
In this engaging discussion, Bob van den Oord, the newly appointed COO of Langham Luxury Hotels & Resorts, shares his vision for transforming guest experiences. He emphasizes the importance of playful Britishness in hotel design and the revival of signature afternoon tea. Bob highlights his focus on localizing offerings to reflect regional tastes while maintaining Langham's roots. He also discusses plans to attract younger guests through vibrant destination bars and exciting culinary concepts, ensuring a fresh perspective in luxury hospitality.
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COO Focus: Elevate Operations Globally
- Bob van den Oord sees the COO role as elevating and unifying operations across 25 hotels while preparing for pipeline growth.
- He plans to raise Langham's positioning and set teams up for success globally.
Reset Experiences Post-Disruption
- The pandemic is an opportunity to rethink guest care and reset experiences beyond safety protocols.
- Van den Oord wants to thrill guests by restoring buzz, social connection, and sensory excitement in hotels.
Create A Playful Brand DNA
- Develop a new brand DNA that is more playful, unpretentious, and whimsically British.
- Execute the DNA globally with operations teams while collecting and implementing their local ideas.