In good company

Interview

In good company

As a specialist in Mediterranean hospitality and charming hotel getaways, Giardino knows all about camaraderie. And that great friendships generate great synergies, too. Like our partnership with Property One – after all, two heads are better than one! An interview with property expert Kevin Hinder, Property One co-founder and CEO, and Philippe Frutiger, CEO of Giardino Hotel Group:

Can you sum yourself up for us in a couple of sentences?

Hinder:
As co-founder and CEO of Property One and a dad to two children (aged seven and nearly three), my priorities are set. I dedicate my time to my business, my family and my friends. In my spare time, I like exploring different destinations in neighbouring European countries – and, in the age of coronavirus, here in Switzerland.

Frutiger:
Nature lover, keen athlete, free spirit and family man! I love travelling, discovering new things and incorporating what I’ve learned into our business. My wife Daniela is by my side – as my partner not only in life, but in the Giardino Group, too. Of course, this means our personal and professional lives are intertwined – and that’s the way we like it.

What has been your biggest influence professionally?

Hinder:
Relationships with people – whether they’re clients, investors or co-workers. Their specific attributes and expectations make for formative and inspiring experiences.

Frutiger:
The older you get, the harder this question is to answer. My whole life has shaped me and made me the person I am today. My parents certainly contributed a great deal.

What’s the best thing about your job?

Hinder:
The balance between the emotions inspired by property and its investment performance. They often go hand in hand – but sometimes one may need to take priority. Weighing up these decisions is exciting and requires a holistic yet tailored approach. Another aspect is being able to see and ‘feel’ what we work with – the properties themselves.

Frutiger:
The ability to work anywhere in the world. Finding new inspiration, discovering new concepts, meeting innovators – and our long-standing employees, who constantly challenge and inspire us.

Imagine you were hotel testers – what in particular would you be looking out for? What makes the perfect hotel for you?

Hinder:
As well as the usual criteria, like friendliness, cleanliness and discretion, what matters to me is the atmosphere in general – and above all, the hospitality. When you can feel the passion of everyone in the hotel – from the valet and the concierge to the gardener – that makes it a pleasure to visit.

Frutiger:
Luckily I’m not a hotel tester. They’re not my favourite people – I much prefer to get my feedback from guests!

Is there a place in the world where you feel particularly at home?

Hinder:
It doesn’t necessarily have to be a place; it can easily be a situation or a moment in your life – when it’s right, that’s where I feel comfortable and ‘at home’, wherever I am.

Frutiger:
There are just so many that unfortunately I can’t pick one!

If you were buying a house in your dream location, what would it need to have?

Hinder:
In my line of work, I’ve had the privilege of seeing dozens of homes, apartments and villas – in all kinds of architectural styles and locations. How well the owners have planned and designed their own homes can often take you by surprise. Everything I’ve seen has given me plenty of ideas for what I’d want from my next home. Having said that, a nice big shower is always an absolute must (laughing). That goes for hotel rooms too, by the way.

Frutiger:
A large terrace and a garden with a panoramic view. Property One’s professional and well-trained staff take care of the rest.

Let’s talk about your partnership: apart from your joint locations in Zurich and Ascona – how do property and hospitality go hand in hand?

Hinder:
The focus always has to be on our clients and relationships. We came to the conclusion that we often target the same audiences. However, both parties have different perspectives: the Giardino Group often welcomes our clients in their leisure time, while Property One is on hand during office hours. Thanks to these different links and our common front, it’s easier for us to attract clients and enhance the customer experience. Ultimately, it’s always about presence. In the Giardino Group, we found a partner who professionally represents our values of passion and personal engagement. This makes great common ground for a partnership.

Frutiger:
We’re bound together by friendship, of course – that’s the best basis for a successful partnership. The hotel and property industries also share a target audience. Our aim is to offer our guests access to an outstanding partner in the property sector. Even if we often lose valued guests as a result. But we can always see them again in our restaurants!

What can a hotel guest or prospective buyer expect from the synergies between your businesses?

Hinder:
A high standard of service, discretion and hospitality. Since we launched our partnership, contacts previously established on one side to the north and south of the Gotthard mountains are now better connected and managed using a holistic approach, particularly those between the locations within German-speaking Switzerland and Ticino. Many of our relationships are based on personal recommendations. We want to express this in our partnership. We have also been able to bring Philippe Frutiger onto our Board of Directors, and this connection often generates exciting and exclusive business opportunities.

Frutiger:
Kevin answered this question perfectly – I’ve got nothing to add. Property One has a similar philosophy to the Giardino Group. Our high standard of service and outstanding people form the foundation of our business.

About Property One
Property One offers sustainable and innovative solutions to create value for its clients and inspire passion for property. The company combines expertise in investment, development, construction, sales and the property family office in its three locations, Zurich, Zug and Ascona. Property One handles the entire life cycle of a property along this value chain.

The company’s interdisciplinary team handles everything internally, ensuring time- and cost-efficient project workflows that boost success. Where required, Property One can take a central role in planning, coordination and organisation for all players involved in the project – both for private clients and professional investors. Property One is constantly tracking developments on the market and makes contact with the relevant service providers at the right time. The property service provider helps with financing matters, offers support at each stage of construction, guarantees quality standards, takes care of sales and structures tailored investment models.

Kevin Hinder, Co-founder and CEO of Property One

www.propertyone.ch