Michael Bonsor

It is Monday, 5th of April. In today’s episode of “Monday motivation - Felix asks” I am delighted to welcome the Managing Director of the grand and gracious Rosewood Hotel London – “an idyllic urban sanctuary”- in the heart of Holborn, Mr. Michael Bonsor. Soon, we have to add “The first Rosewood in London”, as the second London hotel “The Chancery Rosewood” of the Hong Kong based brand is currently under construction. The hotel will be built on the iconic grounds of the former U.S. Embassy on Grosvenor Square, and plans to open in 2024.

Michael came in contact with the world of hospitality at a very early age, thanks to his parents who owned a hotel in Scotland. After studying hospitality in Glasgow, he flew to the United States of America where he started his career with Four Seasons Hotels. From Boston, he moved to New York where he lived for almost 5 years. 4,5 of which in F&B at Four Seasons Hotel New York.

After New York, Michael left the United States and joined Claridge’s in London as Food and Beverage Manager, before being promoted to Hotel Operations Manager. In 2013 he entered the world of Rosewood as Hotel Manager, before he got assigned to Managing Director in 2017.

During the interview, we talked about his understanding of hospitality and mentorship, he shared his book recommendation as well as (one of) his favourite anecdote. For more stories and insights into Michael’s daily life as MD of the Rosewood London, I highly recommend following him on Instagram. Especially during these tough times, it cheered me up to see him posting a video of a marriage proposal taking place at the Rosewood London. His caption was: “Miss making these magical moments come true.”

Enjoy the read.

Question 1: Where did you start your career?

Michael Bonsor (MB): ”You could say that I began my hospitality career from a very early age of around 8 years old – working at my parents’ hotel! It was a hotel in the tourist haven of Inverness just a few miles from Loch Ness – in the early years I worked behind the scenes and slowly moved out front. My parents were incredibly passionate about running a first class establishment and I learnt everything I know about hospitality from them. When I went to university in Glasgow to study hospitality I began working a few nights a week at One Devonshire Gardens which at the time was a very highly regarded 5 star boutique hotel - there at the age of 18 I had the honour of working alongside Andrew Fairlie. A perfectionist and a true gentleman. In the week I graduated university I flew to Boston to begin a 10 year career with Four Seasons Hotels – which saw me work in Toronto and New York as well.”

Question 2: What does hospitality mean to you?

MB: “It is very much about relationship hospitality - the relationships we have with each other and those that we have with our guests. I strongly believe that hospitality has to be an enjoyable environment for us to work in for our teams to provide genuine and warm service that has a positive spirit. Even through testing times we need to take care of each other and support each other. For our guests our role is critical. We are creating experiences and memories that will be cherished forever.”

Question 3: Can you please share an anecdote you experienced, that shows the variety and beauty of our industry?

MB: “There has been so many. For me it has to be those simple acts that during the pandemic team members stepped up and cooked and delivered meals to the NHS, despite the dangers and uncertainty. They simply wanted to give back to the community and deliver exceptional unexpected gestures of hospitality.”

Question 4: Have you had a mentor in your career? Who was it and did she/he give you a piece of advice you still follow?

MB: “Radha Arora our President at Rosewood has always been someone I turn to for advice and direction. We have known each other for 2 decades and he was the one that brought me to Rosewood from Claridge’s almost 9 years ago. He always pushed the boundaries and created hotels that embraced the community and became THE destination in the locale.”

Question 5: What would you like to say to a hospitality/ tourism student/professional who recently started his/her career, at this right moment?

MB: “Learn as much as you can now and experience as much as you can. When you are young you don’t realise how much freedom you have to travel or make mistakes. Do all of this when you are young – it gets more complicated the older you get!”

Question 6: Do you have a book recommendation - this could be everything from a novel to an autobiography, etc.

MB: “Hotel by Arthur Hailey - A Cornell educated GM moving from crisis to crisis whilst trying to manage the hotel. It masterfully illustrates the struggle!”

Dear Michael, thank you again for taking the time to answer our questions and for taking part of our series. I wish you all the best and hope to see you soon either in London or here, at the beautiful Lake Tegernsee.

Felix