INTERVIEW WITH CHRISTOPHER SMITH GENERAL MANAGER COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT BALI SEMINYAK RESORT

Congratulations on your new role! How do you feel about becoming the General Manager of The Courtyard By Marriott Bali Seminyak Resort
Thank you very much!
Becoming the General Manager of the Courtyard By Marriott Bali Seminyak Resort is a dream job, when the opportunity to run this amazing hotel came my way I jumped at the chance. The reputation of the resort has always been so strong since the opening in 2014 and I’ve always aspired to be a part of this team.

Your background is in F&B. What inspired you to transition into a General Manager role?
Everyone wants to be the boss, right? Haha. My background is rooted in the kitchen—“once a chef, always a chef.” After more than 20 years, I decided it was time to broaden my horizons and explore a different facet of hospitality. I transitioned into a Director of Operations role and took financial and revenue courses through Cornell to deepen my understanding of the business. This preparation was crucial to ensure I was ready and confident in making the shift to General Manager.

Can you share with us the latest updates at Courtyard By Marriott Bali Seminyak Resort?
This another reason I was super thrilled to take on this role as we are going through an exciting time in the property with both room and public area upgrades. My passion has always been in creating and executing concepts with my past 9 years spent opening new hotels and restaurants.
Our new look will be modern and fresh and we have some cool concepts in the pipeline which I can’t share as yet….more to come. 

In what ways do you believe Courtyard By Marriott Bali Seminyak stands out from other resorts in the area?
I always say that our resort has a unique charm—its ambience, location, and facilities are exceptional. But what truly sets us apart is our incredible team. I’m confident we have the best team on the island; they consistently go above and beyond every day. The praise we receive from guests about our phenomenal team is constant and heartening. The stories they share about the outstanding service our associates provide are truly inspiring. In all my years in the resort industry, I’ve never seen so many guests returning 3-4 times a year. This level of repeat visits speaks volumes about the exceptional service our team delivers.

What has been the most challenging aspect of your current position so far?
As a first-time General Manager, the most challenging aspect was balancing the need to observe and understand all facets of the resort while simultaneously diving into ongoing projects. Settling into the role required quickly getting up to speed with both the day-to-day operations and the new initiatives already in progress.

How do you maintain a work and life balance?
Having transitioned from a culinary background to a General Manager role, I’ve found that achieving a work-life balance is much more attainable. With effective time management at work, it’s possible to maintain a healthy balance and fully enjoy life outside the hotel. I always remind myself and others with the phrase, “Work to live, don’t live to work.

What advice would you give to those aspiring to pursue a career in hospitality?
Do it!!!
In the hospitality industry, there are both challenging days and remarkable ones, but the positives consistently outweigh the negatives. The chance to meet incredible people and explore various parts of the world makes it all worthwhile. Recently, I attended the APEC General Managers conference, where I reconnected with many old friends. We reminisced about our shared experiences and the places we’ve worked over the past 25 years. It was a powerful reminder of the personal growth and opportunities this industry has provided me and what it can offer to those starting their careers