Originally hailing from Scotland, Neil McDonald began his hospitality journey doing work experience at the Hilton Edinburgh. It was here he was offered his first job.
"It was either that or working in the Chunky Chickens factory, really!"
From there on, Mcdonald dabbled in various career professions within the industry - from a food and beverage educator with Shangri La to a TAFE hospitality teacher and a cook, just to name a few.
Currently, McDonald serves as the newly appointed Regional General Manager at Naumi Hotel group in Auckland, New Zealand.
Prior to this role, McDonald was the Area General Manager for Gold Coast and Sydney with Accor and Mantra Group, Cluster Managing Director for Starwood APAC, and General Manager for Regent Hotels APAC. Before this, he held Senior Management roles with Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group and Hayman Island.
So far, McDonald has found New Zealand a refreshing change from the Gold Coast and his new leadership role a dynamic and fantastic experience.
"Naumi is in a prime position for growth, and being a leader with a growing lifestyle company is incredibly exciting for me," he shared. "With the many challenges in recent times, I'm proud to be working in a company that is setting the standard for the future of our industry."
According to McDonald, Naumi's point of difference is the brand itself - from the design, amenities, service, brand image, and storytelling.
"It's a fun and playful brand that translates into everything we do."
Naumi Studio Hotel Wellington bar
Over the last five years, Naumi has shifted its focus to improving in-room smart technology and food and beverage concepts. A prime example of this is Naumi Studio Wellington, where its signature Lola Rouge restaurant and bar stand alone as destinations for beautiful modern pan-Asian cuisine and innovative cocktails. Guests now get a little something more than they may expect.
Navigating a pandemic-fuelled world has not been easy.
"Covid has, more than anything, given us a reminder that we should all be flexible, agile, creative, positive and resilient. They are the values at the core of hospitality leadership, and Covid has really brought it to the fore."
As a lifestyle brand, Naumi caters to a wide demographic and welcomes many lifestyle travellers, as well as a new type of business traveller across non-corporate industries, especially in Wellington. "Think a beanie-wearing manager of a specialty coffee company rather than a traditional corporate traveller."
Due to COVID-19, there has been a shift towards a domestic-focused market over the last couple of years. However, with international borders back open, it is exciting for tourist hubs such as Queenstown to welcome the global market back and showcase what New Zealand can offer.
Naumi Hotels are currently in a growth phase. This month they are focusing on reopening Naumi Auckland Airport and are set to open Naumi Wellington - a five-star property to sit alongside Naumi Studio Wellington - in October.
"It's been a very exciting time for me to join the company."
