Ronda GAT interviews; today Jerome Gateau Director of La sella Golf resort

The team at each of our establishments is our best and greatest asset.
We started a round of interviews to meet the directors of each of our establishments. Who better than them to tell us about their product, offer, peculiarities … From the love of fate.
Today it is Jerome Gateau who tells us everything about our complex La Sella Golf Resort & Spa

1. Where do you spend the most time in the complex and why?
The truth is that I don’t have a specific place where I spend more time but I do spend 80% of my time talking to the teams and customers. Permanent communication is essential for everyone’s motivation.
2. And your favorite place in the hotel?
Without a doubt, my favorite place is our lobby, as a meeting point, the space where everything happens. With the complete renovation we did last year, this space has become spectacular with an aesthetic according to what it is, a wide space with lots of light, the heart of the hotel with direct access to all services: rooms, restaurants, bars, swimming pool, event rooms, golf, spa, bike center
3. What must a hotel have in order for a client to leave happy and content?
As I always say to the teams, a hotel is like a box that can be more or less beautiful, a matter of taste but the key to a customer’s return is the attention and attitude of its staff, the hosts.
4. What is La Sella Golf Resort like?
La Sella Golf Resort is a tourist complex based on “experiences and emotions” thanks to 2 factors
very complete facilities with a 5* hotel, some apartments, a 27-hole golf course, 4 restaurants, a spa, rooms for any kind of events
and an ideal location in the middle of nature in the Montgo natural park in this paradise that is La Marina Alta
5. What is the customer like when he comes to this facility?
We do not have a constant profile of customers. We have those who come to enjoy weekends as a couple or with their families, the romantic ones, the sportsmen who want to enjoy cycling, golf or the sea, those who come to disconnect and relax and on the other hand, companies that trust us to organize their events.
6. It was Marriot for a while…
We only spent 2 years of the 17 we’ve been open without the brand, everyone knows us as the Denia Marriott. In May 2019, a year ago now, after a complete renovation of all the facilities, the hotel is once again the Marriott, thus participating in placing Denia on the world map in the premium segment.
7. How has the tourist season started, after the state of alarm?
This 3 month break has been complicated for everyone but the reservations have been quickly activated again and the prospects are good.

8. And in particular, those who book their accommodation at La Sella Golf Resort, what do they find?
Right now the important thing is that we are following very strict hygiene protocols to ensure maximum health safety for everyone. We have established procedures that go beyond the norm. All our employees are trained, they wear masks, we have more than 60 points of disinfection gel, each department has a specific protocol for its area with the procedures to follow both in terms of cleaning and service. We have reorganized the spaces so that the safety distance and capacity limitations are respected. We use online check-in systems, mobile keys, online table reservation systems, mobile customer chat system
9. The golf course, designed by José María Olazábal, has been recently reformed.
Last year we reformed the first 9 holes of the golf course, and this year the next 9. We are following a progressive process to ensure continuity of service by always having 18 holes available. The course is being completely renovated under the command of Jose Maria Olazabal himself, who often comes to supervise the progress of the work, with changes to the fairways, new irrigation system, change of tees and greens, in short a complete renovation.
10. Do you think that the arrival of Covid-19 will change us forever?
The covid has already changed us, we have realized that we are small and vulnerable.
It is impossible for us to forget what we are experiencing, both we and our children. We all have a social responsibility.
11. Where is tourism heading today?
Tourism today is EXPERIENCE and we are the perfect destination, Denia, Javea, the interior, a paradise
12. It seems that this year national tourism should “save the furniture”.
Without a doubt, more than ever the national client will be our main client this year, if we think about it, it is nice that we all finally learn to enjoy what we have at hand.
13. What difference do you find if you compare today’s tourism, beyond health measures, with that of 20 years ago?
As I said before, today, everything is based. Right now the important thing is that we are following very strict hygiene protocols to ensure maximum health safety for everyone. We have established procedures that go beyond the norm. All our employees are trained, they wear masks, we have more than 60 points of disinfection gel, each department has a specific protocol for its area with the procedures to follow both in terms of cleaning and service. We have reorganized the spaces so that the safety distance and capacity limitations are respected. We use online check-in systems, keys in the mobile phone,
As I said before, nowadays, everything is based on experience, on emotions
14. Gastronomy in Dénia and La Marina Alta is scratching at a very high level.
It has been possible to create a world-renowned gastronomic destination thanks to private efforts and the support of the administration. Spectacular and to continue creating.
15. Any funny anecdotes that can be told in your years of professional experience?
Hotel life is full of beautiful stories. One of the most intense experiences I’ve had was a few years ago when an English couple of Indian origin got married. A 3-day wedding during which we learned a lot on a professional and personal level. We have met a different culture, people from all continents who came to enjoy Denia and the relationship has been intense. So strong that when they left, I spontaneously got on the bus of the bride and groom’s family to say goodbye to them as if they were my own family.
16. How could you convince me to visit La Sella Golf Resort in 30 seconds?
I thought I had convinced you already! La Sella Golf Resort is experiences, it is rest, it is golf, it is cycling, it is hiking, it is gastronomy, it is nature, it is events, it is emotions, it is sea, it is Denia.