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"AHM stands out for its ability to integrate global knowledge with local nuances": Read the latest interview of AHM on Ambitur
Ambitur talked to Mariano Faz, CEO of Ace Hospitality Management (AHM), which manages a portfolio of more than 600 hotel rooms in Portugal and has a pipeline of more than three thousand rooms planned for the next three years. With a hotel career of more than 20 years, the manager spoke of the ambitions of this company integrated with the Mercan Group and the expansion plans in the country. Read here the 1st part of this Great Interview, published in full in issue 348 of Ambitur.
How was AHM born and how does it operate in the Portuguese market?
AHM emerged in the Portuguese market,integrated into the Mercan Group, as a response to a specific gap: the need to offer highly specialized management services for hotels with a distinct positioning. To achieve this goal, we have established partnerships with some of the most renowned international hotel brands in the industry. This synergy between our company and the brands we manage gives us an undeniable competitive advantage. We use all the tools available in terms of marketing and bookings provided by these brands, combining them with our deep local experience. Our focus is firmly on creating value for the customer by raising the standard of customer service.
This approach is not limited to simple operational management; transcends to a strategic vision where every decision is made to enrich the guest experience. We understand that by focusing on our specialty, we maximize the value we offer, not only to our clients but also to the stakeholders involved. AHM stands out for its ability to integrate global knowledge with local nuances, which allows us to offer authentic and memorable experiences to our guests.
What services do you offer to the Portuguese market?
It is true that it could be succinctly summarized what the provision of a hotel management service involves, but the reality is much more complex and profound than it seems at first glance. In our company, we do not limit ourselves to offering basic services such as Revenue Management, Sales and Operations. Instead, we invest heavily in each of these aspects, to achieve excellence in a highly competitive industry. The central question that moves us is: how do we manage to stand out? The answer lies in our commitment to attracting and retaining the best talent in the market.
Although it may sound cliché, the Mercan Group and, in this case, AHM in particular, has been able to demonstrate through the recruitment of highly prestigious professionals in the hotel sector, that we are on the right track. Our differentiated and innovative value proposition has proven to be a significant point of attraction for professionals seeking growth, excellence, and the constant challenges that this industry offers.
How many and which hotel units do you have in the current portfolio?
We currently manage eight hotels concentrated mainly in the Porto area, such as Casa da Companhia, Se Catedral, Four Points Matosinhos, Fontinha, and Renaissance Porto Lapa. In Amarante we have our historic hotel Casa das Lérias and in Évora we are managing the Hilton Garden Inn. All these hotels are investments made over the years by the Mercan Group.
What criteria do you consider fundamental for hotels to join AHM? How does this process unfold and what type of units do you privilege?
At AHM, we stand out for the uniqueness and narrative of each of our hotels. Each property has its own specific target audience, which leads us to adopt a critical perspective and create a unique identity for each hotel project we analyze and manage. Working at AHM is fascinating because we dedicate all our efforts to developing distinct concepts, varied target audiences, and differentiated hotel categories. This commitment requires us to constantly reinvent ourselves and maintain an unwavering focus on the needs and expectations of customers. Each hotel has a uniqueness that makes it unique.
Read the full interview, here!