When we think of vacations in Greece, we think of many small islands that are lined up like dabs of cream in the turquoise blue ocean. But the Mediterranean destination has even more to offer – and with the One&Only Aesthesis, one more reason to finally travel to Athens. With charm and midcentury aesthetics, the new hotel lures us to the coast of the Greek capital, which will soon be storming every bucket list.
FACES: How did you get into the hotel industry?
Yann Gillet: Traveling with my parents when I was young had a big influence on me. As my father often lived abroad while I was still young, we traveled a lot and came into contact with countless cultures: from the United States to China and Sweden to South Africa, I got to know interesting people from all walks of life. It made me realize how much travel can change the world. After high school, I attended a University for Hospitality, which kick-started my career as a hotelier.
F: How would you describe your hotel in one sentence?
YG: It’s more than just a resort. It is an invitation for all the senses to experience this unique historical destination of Athens in a completely new way.
F: Take us through the development of your hotel from the idea to the finished resort!
YG: In the 1960s, Athens’ jet-set society of the time appreciated the beauty of Glyfada’s evergreen corner, just a few steps away from the turquoise waters. Now we are reviving this legendary place with a new modern concept and redefining the idea of luxury vacations in Athens. Bungalows and villas right by the sea, excellent service and unique experiences set this resort apart from all other luxury resorts in Athens. Anyone who has ever stayed in a One&Only resort knows what to expect in this little paradise in one of Europe’s most vibrant cities.
F: Give us three reasons why we should definitely stay at your place!
YG: There are more than three reasons, but I do my best! It is less than four hours from most European capitals and less than 30 minutes from the airport or the center of Athens. The One&Only Aesthesis is located in a beautiful forest right by the sea, with a blue lagoon almost a kilometer long. Guests have access to private cabanas, several pools, a beach, fantastic restaurants and bar concepts.
Hoteliers provide moments of happiness every day
F: What makes the hotelier profession so exciting, and what aspects are rather tedious?
YG: Hoteliers create moments of happiness every day – not only for their guests, but also for their teams. It’s exciting to make sure everyone is really relaxed and feels pampered every day. You constantly reinvent yourself and every day is different. This naturally makes it a job where you strive to surpass yourself every day with something new.
F: What do hoteliers need to think about that others don’t?
YG: We have to have an open ear for our guests and their needs around the clock. No wish is too small or too big – and the best thing is that we take care of our guests’ needs before they even ask. A funny side note: as we spend a lot of time with our guests and always have to look our best, my team always replaces my glass of champagne with Sprite or the wine with grape juice when I’m at the bar. (laughs)
F: What are you worrying too much about?
YG: In addition to the well-being of our employees and guests, my own fitness and well-being are a constant topic.
Strict, but fair
F: What are you like as a boss?
YG: My team is very close to my heart and I listen to them as much as possible – that’s where I count my emotional intelligence as one of my strengths. My management style is strict but fair: I don’t like formalities and hypocrisy. Anyone can call me Yann, and I have to be allowed to be direct. I definitely have a strong work ethic.
F: What makes a good host?
YG: It can’t be said often enough: attention to detail is crucial. A good hotelier pays close attention to every single aspect of the guest experience. From the obvious, such as the cleanliness of the rooms and the quality of the food and drink, to the less obvious, such as the ability to understand the personality of its guests through non-verbal cues. It is also important to be a good leader and always one step ahead of market trends, to have excellent communication skills and to see yourself as a “curator of experiences” that bring joy to others.
F: Which guests do you like best?
YG: All guests are important, but I love hosting celebrities and important personalities – it’s simply exciting every time.
F: What do you dislike in guests?
YG: When they are rude and disrespectful to our colleagues. Mistakes can happen, but I see it as unnecessary to look down on others. Fortunately, this rarely happens, as many guests have come to regard our local staff as family over the years.
Individuality instead of off-the-shelf experience
F: What do you expect from your hotel?
YG: Our goal is to be recognized as one of the best resorts in the world; a place that embodies the concept of modern luxury.
F: How have the demands of your guests changed in recent years?
YG: The drive has grown, guests increasingly expect a truly individual experience on site. They are no longer interested in the “off-the-peg experience”, they want something out of the ordinary, they want to “feel” something when they come to their vacation destination. In this sense, they are much more emotional than they used to be.
F: What story from your everyday life as a host do you have to tell us?
YG: In a previous role, I built up a good relationship with Isabelle Huppert. Together with the renowned French designer Pierre-Yves Rochon, we designed her perfect “pied a terre”, a residence in the countryside in Cannes. Her 1,000 square meter penthouse overlooking the Bay of Cannes was designed based on her very own personality, including the furnishings, decoration, music and so on. This allowed me to get to know them very well.
Attention to detail
F: What do you look out for when you stay out yourself?
YG: I love to challenge myself by visiting competing brands. I enjoy exploring exciting new five-star resorts around the world that I discover through selected media. That inspires me a lot and encourages me to keep growing and learning.
F: What distinguishes a good hotel from a great one?
YG: The attention to detail. And the ability to recognize a guest’s wish before they themselves notice it. This level of service is what sets One&Only apart from the rest – intuition.
F: Where is your own bed?
YG : I currently live in the heart of Athens in a beautiful penthouse with a view of the Acropolis. I’ve been able to call so many places around the world home, but this view, especially at night, never fails to impress me. The unique history of this city is simply fascinating.
One&Only Aesthesis
Just a stone’s throw from the effervescent city center of Athens, the One&Only Aesthesis makes its guests feel like goddesses and gods on Mount Olympus with its luxurious bungalows and villas. The white typical of Greece meets natural materials and mid-century chic to create a minimalist interior that leaves room for the charm of the local culture. 1,600 meters of beach promenade are waiting to accompany us into the sunset – or to charm us from the beach club. Eat what the Greek land has to offer: Two restaurants serve mezze, seafood, meat and vegan delicacies from sustainable and local production.
oneandonlyresorts.com/aesthesis
Europe has so much to offer! For example, the grandiose Hotel Vocabolo Moscatelli in Umbria (Italy) or the island hotel Mamula Island in Montenegro. Take a look at our stories and kindle your wanderlust!
That’s what Yann Gillet from…
cruise ships:
I’m not a big fan of it, apart from the cultural cruises like Ponant, which offer really meaningful experiences.
Buffet meal:
I prefer the principle of “sharing is caring” when it comes to food, including breakfast.
All-inclusive:
Not my cup of tea. There’s nothing better than choosing your own brand of spirits or champagne.
Tip:
In many of my previous positions, tipping was not appreciated. The staff were paid generously and took pride in telling guests that the service they provided was genuine. Hoteliers should at least discourage individual tipping – all hard-working employees deserve the same reward.
Dogs in the restaurant and hotel:
I am a dog owner myself and love all pets. It is of course important that they are calm and well behaved, as dogs in restaurants can – with a few exceptions – be a challenge.
Children in the restaurant and hotel:
are of course always welcome.
Dress codes:
Call me old-fashioned, but I like it when people make an effort to dress for the occasion, at least for dinner. You don’t have to wear a tuxedo or a cocktail dress, but trousers, a jacket and elegant shoes are very much appreciated on a man. Our employees are always impeccably dressed to serve our customers.
TripAdvisor:
is a helpful platform, accessible to all, where you can find everything: the good, the bad and the ugly.
OTAs:
are useful partners – with some reservations. They reach target groups that we cannot easily reach.
Sharing Economy:
offers various advantages.
Sustainability:
is essential, this is our future.
Shortage of skilled workers:
We all share responsibility for this challenge. It is our task to rethink the compatibility of work and family life and to make the jobs on offer more attractive – especially for the younger generation.
Teaser photo & photos: © One&Only
