Interview with Andreas Kountouriotis
Hotel Manager of MEININGER Hotel Bruxelles City Center
In our latest employee interview series, we sat down with Andreas, the dedicated Hotel Manager steering the ship at the MEININGER Hotel Bruxelles City Center. Join us as Andreas unfolds his fascinating journey, revealing insights into his leadership philosophy and passion for sustainability.
Hi Andreas, could you introduce yourself and your role at MEININGER Hotels?
I’m Andreas, the Hotel Manager of the MEININGER Hotel Bruxelles City Center, one of our largest and oldest properties. I’ve been here for 5+ years.
How did you come across MEININGER Hotels?
I was the rooms division director at a 5-star property in Luxembourg but wanted to return to Brussels. I believed in MEININGER Hotels and chose it as a workplace for its relaxed atmosphere. I wanted to get rid of my suits (laughter). The contrast hit me when, a few months earlier, I and other department heads waited for Barack Obama in a cold lobby for 4 hours. He shook our hands, and we wished him a nice day. At MEININGER Hotels, a simple conversation with a guest, though – like during my first weeks when someone said “thanks for all that info about the city” – means more to me than that encounter with Obama.
Guests often say: “Hey, great job, I was surprised that I paid less and got more”. And that’s priceless! With such a stable team after 5 years in Brussels, I feel that everybody here is an ambassador of this mentality. Unlike basic hotel businesses, MEININGER Hotels allows you to think outside the box and implement your ideas.
We’re a 10-year-old hotel, and we consistently rank at the top in matrix, revenue, and guest and staff satisfaction, a constant challenge for me. Now, with our other hotel in Brussels, in Gare du Midi, and my past assistant, Denisa, as the manager, it feels like a united front, working in the same direction.
So, working with the team is your favorite part of the job?
Absolutely. It’s the most important. I’m paid to take care of them!
What else do you love about your job?
In the hotel industry, each day is different, and that’s amazing. I could never do a regular 9-to-5 job. Unexpected things make it fun, and thinking about them afterward is great.
Let’s talk about sustainability. How did you become passionate about it?
The MEININGER Hotel Bruxelles City Center excels at recycling and reusing. Projects often began as games due to limited tools or budget. For instance, our entire lobby is adorned with pallets, a project that involved my team’s effort and love. My team invested time and energy to make this happen and people recognize that.
You’re also part of the MEININGER Hotels Green team. Can you share more about it?
We hold regular meetings to discuss projects, considering the company’s financial situation and support. We also explore whether a project can be adopted by other properties. Especially for new openings, like our Brussels hotel 10 years ago, incorporating eco-friendly features such as solar panels was groundbreaking. Now, we aim to include them in every new property. Even if solar panels aren’t feasible, we explore ways to save water, from the showers to the kitchens and washing machines. In Bruxelles City Center, we revived a dormant water collection system under the car park, unused for over five years. With Silvia Gonzaga’s – our Sustainability Manager – support and the team’s collaboration, we prioritize and discuss sustainable projects openly to extend our sustainable initiatives across all 36+ properties.
How do you manage to get other employees and locations involved with sustainability and care more about it?
It’s about engagement, not obligation. Leadership isn’t just about titles; it’s about inspiring voluntary followership. Encouraging everyone on our team, from maintenance to housekeeping, to bring up ideas—even if they might fail—is essential. Providing the space for employees to try something on their own promotes innovation. Failure is part of the learning process.
Can you share some notable projects from your team? Any personal favorites?
Whoa, that’s a tough one! It’s like picking a favorite child. I can’t.
OK, just a few examples then!
The transformation of the lobby with pallets was quite impressive. Another notable project was the guest kitchen makeover: we revamped the entire space with zero investment, relying solely on recycling and a lot of hard work, of course.
Can you share more details about the guest kitchen transformation?
The guest kitchen was in bad shape. During COVID, we had to think creatively and find a cost-effective way to enhance its appearance. We crafted honeycombs, connected them, and painted them with recycled pallets. Additionally, we thoroughly cleaned and upgraded the fridges with new shelves. The result was a stunning kitchen, and the best part is we didn’t spend a dime—only our own energy and effort.
Great. Also, for Earth Day, your hotel always hosts events. Can you share some of the best activities you’ve organized for that day?
Absolutely. Last year, we did a special and funny activity—cleaning the canal with kayaks. It was a unique experience, although, between us, there were some unexpected meetings with creatures you wouldn’t want too close. We’ve also collaborated with our other hotel in Brussels to organize significant events, bringing our teams together to clean large parts of the city. I think the MEININGER Hotel Bruxelles City Center became the first MEININGER hotel to go plastic-free around 4 years ago. It took a few weeks to eliminate plastic from the buffet by finding similar alternatives but without plastic. Our journey started with small steps, and after 5 years, we’ve made significant ones!
And is it easy to convince the staff to participate? How do they respond to these initiatives?
Sure, some may not enjoy getting their hands dirty. But at the end of the day, they say, “Hey, I’m doing it with my pals, so it’s going to be fun.” That’s the key. We never tell them, “You must go out and collect garbage!” Otherwise, the response would be a simple “No, f*ck off!”
What about the guests? Have they responded to any of these initiatives, or have you received positive feedback?
I’ve even received feedback before implementing something, which was quite amazing. Some guests approached me, saying, “Hey, you’re the hotel manager? You should do something about the garbage.” I asked what they meant, and they said, “You don’t have garbage separation in the lobby or in the corridors.” It was funny because in the same week, I was already a step ahead and told them that I had already ordered some garbage separation. But these are the concerns that quite a lot of people have nowadays. Okay, nice hotel, everything looks fine, whatever. But where is the sense of taking care of the planet, of thinking about tomorrow and our kids?
OK, I have one last question, Andreas. Why is it so important for you to work in a company that puts efforts toward sustainability?
I see myself as a part of a larger engine. Alone, I wouldn’t achieve much. I owe everything to my team, as they’ve supported my ideas, and I’m here for them just as they are for me. In today’s work environment, ethics play a critical role in being sustainable and ensuring we leave the planet in a better state for the generations to come. Our children will inherit this Earth, and it’s our responsibility to care for it.
Companies like MEININGER Hotels, which provide opportunities for individuals to express themselves, will endure. This mentality of prioritizing people over revenue is something to be proud of, especially when it comes to securing our children’s future.
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