Rolf Berthold

Rolf has built solid foundations of trust and transparency as he provides an expert service to his clientele, this is the cornerstone of his success, and he does it all with a warm hearty smile on his face. Starting From Scratch

When it comes to establishing ourselves in the world, we all have to start somewhere. Having grown up as son of a hotelier, the future career choice was relatively easy! Rolf’s voyage began in Berlin, Germany. “Following a 2-years degree course at the Berlin International Hotel School Icompleted traditional German hotel training, in form of an apprenticeship encompassing three years of practical work in a high class Bristol Kempinski Hotel, a well known German hotel brand. However, it wasn’t as straightforward as learning one job or task.” It was not only one trade, like where you are just a chef or only a receptionist or accountant, you have training exposure to every department, be it the Marketing, Finance and Administration” This foundation enabled Rolf to obtain erational areas in a luxury hotel and how they best functioned harmoniously. After completing his training and apprenticeship, Rolf began working his way up the ranks moving from Section Manager to Assistant Manager to Head rector of the Kempinski Hotel with over 600 employees at the fairly young age of only 26 – “that was quite a challenge, but I enjoyed it tremendously!” Early in his career, he realised how much he enjoyed dealing with people after pouring in so much time and energy alongside his co-workers. “For example, we always had a large number of apprentices, I would spend much time in training them, so I felt like a teacher, and I loved that – I’ve always been a people person.” Once you hear Rolf’s kind, soft-spoken voice as he thoughtfully recollects, it’s easy to see why he’s so wonderful with people. Rolf realised it was time for a move from his native Germany after all as son of an international hotelier, his upbring

So he made his way to London with a fantastic opportunity to work with the Hilton Hotel on Park Lane. “I was initially hired as Assistant Manager Front of House, basically Duty Manager, moving Executive Assistant Manager for a total of four years.” perience under his belt to pursue further travel/hotel management endeavours. Challenges Along the Way

Next up was a posting in Sharjah/ UAE where at the onset of the Gulf oil boom they experienced e severe hotel shortage. Rolf was part of a cruise line operation, turning a cruise ship into a

hotel organisation., thereby creating Instantly additional bed capacity with 250 cabins/rooms achieving immediately 100% occupancy. “It was another challenge.”

Being at this pioneer time in the Emirates, demand was high for experienced ed to open and manage a small business he successfully accomplished, leading to the take-over of another luxury boutique he managed for another 3 years. then moved on to Sri Lanka, where he in partnership undertook the development of his own small tourist beach resort in Negombo. Unfortunately, while the property they were developing was under construction, t

“It forced us to never actually open. We were hanging on for close to a year, just hoping that things would improve, but they didn’t. And then after a year, we had to give up and say, sorry, that’s a lost cause.” Even with this setback, Rolf never gave up and knew better opportunities were on the horizon. Full Steam Ahead

Rolf knew he could rely on one thing after that setback: his exceptional people skills. “I used my networking skills to contact people from the past and got involved with a Japanese company who had an operation in Bali to open a resort hotel in Nusa Dua.”

He then developed a hotel consultancy partnership with one of the directors and stated proudly: “I’ve been involved with him business-wise for the last 30 years now”. Rolf loves to keep moving around and sought out other prosperous opportunities besides his successful stint in Bali. He travelled to and worked in hotel/resort operations all over the world. “During all my years of experience, I specialised particularly in resorts and somehow always ended up on beautiful islands in the various resort destinations.”

Maldivian Magic

more than two decades ago, and we asked him what brought him to the

typical resort situations, and somewhere in my collection, the Maldives was missing.” While Rolf was in Australia setting up yet another hotel for the Year 2000 Olym-

“Having been GM in previous locations for many years, the Maldives always struck me as a very special resort destination.” The two most notable projects he has been involved in so far have been Cheval Blanc Randheli Resort and Velaa Private Island Resort, where he engaged in both developments from the start - both are stunning properties that have raised the

There seems to be a certain magic about

back, which is undoubtedly the case for Rolf. “My impression of the Maldives business-wise goes back to my personal likes- it’s a very beautiful and same time upmarket island resort destination!”

no other country or place. “It has taken over competing with neighbouring countries, like Bali, Ma to mention the more traditional resort put something similar on the map, but so far, I don’t think anybody has succeeded in taking over from the Maldives.” “Also, what makes the place is privacy and space. Space is a major luxury, which many people don’t realise.” Alongside this, Rolf’s best advice is to have great people in management; “You’ve got to have the right people in the from the GM down to the gardeners. If they are wrong, you can spoil your whole reputation.”

As Time Goes On

Over the last 21 years, Rolf has had the

develop. “I’ve seen probably a third of all existing Maldives resorts built; there are more than 150 now with many more still in the pipeline.”

quite a distance from its original simple island roots. “It’s changed from a simple diving location to a very upmarket, well-recognized destination worldwide. If you go to Europe and ask anybody tiful, expensive, luxurious, exclusive.” We are blessed to have Rolf on the Cora Cora team as an adviser; with his guidance, we aim to continue creating a special place of true freedom for our guests. is everything and provides a space for guests to feel a sense of freedom and creativity.” One of Rolf’s biggest goals in his career is to provide complete transparency and build tremendous trust with his clients, if he’s showing his cheerful smile you can bet his clients are too. and I live by it at all times.” He has unquestionably demonstrated this by establishing a strong foundation of professional contacts throughout the

in life’s setbacks and has transformed that philosophy into a successful and