INTERVIEW BRUNO CRISTOL GENERAL MANAGER INTERCONTINENTAL BALI RESORT

Congratulations on your new role! Tell us about your work and being the new General Manager of InterContinental Bali Resort?
Sincere thank you for your congrats. This legendary property has been the favourite for many guests since 1993 and kept her charm, tranquillity and classic looks, It has a great loyalty membership with an amazing team complemented by very spacious well curated beautiful gardens. We had renovations during & post covid with many areas upgraded, refit and upgraded, new & spectacular conference centre hence felt it’s the best time to lead and elevate this ‘’Grande Dame’’ of Jimbaran to new levels and standards. 

Having worked in several hotels and resorts in various countries, what attracted you to go to Bali?
I have been coming to Bali for the past 30 years (honeymoon at one hotel in Nusa dua) and stayed several times at IC Bali Jimbaran with my kids and wife, they learnt surfing here and we loved the culture, the beauty of Bali, the people and diversity of things to discover and experienced. Coming to join this fantastic property in our IHG Group is very much in demand hence I was always keen to manage this property with great and very supportive owners. We are here to inspire incredible stories for our guests and live the InterContinental life !

You have worked in the industry for some time, what is your biggest achievement that you have accomplished and what do you think is the secret to your achievement?
Each properties and countries have been different and challenging with various impacts, but in resorts it’s the people who are making the journey ‘’a pleasure and fun’’ for the guests and the management, so to lead and to motivate a very good team to higher level is always been my mission with their support and my guidance or humble help.

Have you always known you would go into hospitality? What initially sparked your interest?
My family have been in Hotels in Italy and France, my father was in airlines hence made us travel around the world at young age and discovered incredible places. He gave me the passion of staying in nice hotels & resorts, additionally my Italian grand father was an owner & GM of small Palaces in the lake region in Italy, whereby I felt it was my goal and ambition to make him proud and my parents as well, plus I love food & wine.

Please share with us the latest update about InterContinental Bali Resort?
Following several renovations, upgrades and new fresh areas the past 18 months, we have some new projects for our guests in plans, to re activate few areas ie recreations and fitness-well being areas, reposition some of our venues in R&B, the new BarR just opened with brilliant band and deco, and continuing with our JCC Jimbaran Convention Center, which is spectacular and going from strength to strength for special small or large events.

Having several F&B outlets in your resort, what is one favourite restaurant/food that you can recommend to us?
We have 5 successful concepts and to me the Bella Cucina brunch is fantastic value and food offerings, plus great atmosphere and surroundings.

How do you maintain a work and life balance?
I have been in Sports and fitness since a young age and always tried to stay fit and healthy, I love cross fit and HIT training as my kids & wife have been amazing support and drivers to a better lifestyle, hence in Bali now I can mix work & life better compared to Singapore the past 6 years…was difficult and full on.I am looking at going back sailing, stand up paddle, and surfing in Bali when time allows me with friends.