GM, André Buldini: bringing sustainability, wellness and a touch of the extraordinary to Luxury & Lifestyle

For our inspirational Luxury & Lifestyle General Managers, their role is more than just a job: it’s a calling. And it takes a special kind of person to step up to the challenge. We are searching for GMs to help us continue to redefine a new era of luxury and lifestyle. GMs like André.

André Buldini é o Gerente Geral do Six Senses Douro Valley, na deslumbrante região vinícola de Portugal; uma propriedade que oferece aos hóspedes uma estadia de luxo como nenhuma outra, baseada em três pilares fundamentais: sustentabilidade, bem-estar e experiências extraordinárias.

Recentemente, conversamos com André para saber mais sobre sua jornada pessoal e como ele inspira a excelência como gerente geral desse hotel exclusivo e de prestígio.

Growing up, André was inspired by family recounting their experiences working in hospitality. For an imaginative and adventurous boy, the idea of being able to work at a hotel anywhere in the world was extremely enticing, with so many exotic locations and cultures to explore.

This ambition clearly endured, and André launched his career in hospitality right after he finished his studies. Starting at a small island in Portugal, this was his first time living away from his parents, and he recalls feeling a mixture of excitement and terror.

With 25 years of hospitality experience amassed, André finds himself in his first GM role at Six Senses, but now, it’s only excitement he feels. As he describes it, the “terror” he felt as a young man going into a new career has turned into “this adrenaline which gives you the drive and the push to do it - and each time do it better.”

“For me, luxury means always finding a solution, always saying yes, always exceeding a guest’s expectations.”

André was first drawn to Six Senses when a good friend suggested the brand would be a great fit for him, knowing his passion for sustainability, wellness, and for creating unique luxury experiences. From the very first conversation, he loved the active commitment to these pillars which the brand consistently showed; in his words, it’s “a company that walks the talk.”

Furthermore, Six Senses Douro Valley back up their sustainability promise with a fund which helps connect the business with the local community. Contributing towards care of the beautiful environment surrounding the property, including renovating schools for children, homes for the elderly, and protecting endangered animals.

"O Six Senses é um lugar lindo. É um lugar mágico. Você tem paisagens incríveis e natureza por toda parte."

O Six Senses tem o compromisso de ser pioneiro em práticas de bem-estar, tanto para os hóspedes quanto para os colegas. André descobriu que fazer mudanças em sua própria vida - começando a meditar e tornando-se mais consciente de sua dieta e condicionamento físico - trouxe-lhe uma compreensão mais profunda de como o bem-estar também poderia ser usado para aprimorar a experiência do hóspede.

Alongside all this, the third pillar at Six Senses is crucially about creating unique luxury guest experiences which will become memories that last a lifetime. To achieve these levels of consistent excellence and attention to detail, André applies an approach he calls ‘emotional hospitality’. It’s all about being present, aware and connected with what the guest wants. It’s about listening and responding. “I use it with our hosts and with our guests. You even take it home and use it with your partner because it becomes such a part of you.”

It’s clear André is very proud of all he has achieved – and rightly so. “Reaching the top of what I expected when I entered this career - becoming a GM in such an amazing property - is the realisation of a dream.”

So, what has been the key to André’s success; his most important learning? His response is very clear: “Surround yourself with the best people you can. The energy that forms around that group of people is very important and will cascade through the rest of the organisation.”

With a lifelong passion for hospitality, André is a shining example of what it means to be the best of the best here at IHG Hotels & Resorts. And you could join him.

Procuramos gerentes gerais especializados em transformar os sonhos dos nossos hóspedes em realidade. Líderes capazes de inspirar os colegas ao seu redor a realizarem suas próprias ambições. Visionários prontos para redefinir as viagens de luxo e estilo de vida em nível industrial.

Para descobrir como você pode seguir os passos de André e liderar uma nova era de luxo e estilo de vida, clique aqui.