Sabine Renner

After a short break, I am excited to kick-off season 7 today, Monday 13 December. In today's episode, we are going back to Dubai to meet a passionate hotelier and business owner who lived in seven countries and has more than 20 years of experience in the world of luxury hospitality. 

During the last week, I saw plenty of posts on Social Media of friends and colleagues from the most prestigious Luxury Travel Exhibition ILTM Cannes. Many of the pictures were of the legendary Hotel Martinez, part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, which brings me to today’s guest. My guest overlooked the Sales and Marketing department of this landmark for six years before moving back to Dubai to join the Park Hyatt as Director of Sales and Marketing, and shortly after as its Hotel Manager. After that, she decided to open her own business. 

Please welcome Sabine Renner, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Renner & Grosse Collection, a boutique representation, and communication agency with offices in Dubai and Munich that Sabine opened in 2019 together with her business partner Isabel Grosse. 

I had the pleasure to meet Sabine and Isabel during their recent visit to Lake Tegernsee where we had a long and inspiring conversation about our industry. Meeting fascinating people is one of the best benefits of my job and a real highlight for me personally.

With that, I am thankful to people like Sabine and Isabel for sharing their stories for everyone to enjoy.

During our interview, Sabine took us back to the start of her career in Salzburg from where she started to explore the world. We discussed her definition of hospitality and what she cherishes most in our industry, in addition to her life in Dubai. Sabine shared with us advice she has received at the beginning of her career and gave some recommendations for the new generation of hospitality. 

“Stay curious and don't be afraid to experience different cultures, work hard, be proactive,

positive, and continuously expand your network.”

I hope at some point I will get the chance to welcome Sabine's choice of which industry expert she would love to see here at “Monday motivation – Felix asks”. Later in the interview, Sabine shared her book recommendations, her picks for a stay in Dubai now, and her favorite place to stay. You might be surprised, as she did not choose a hotel. 

Now, enjoy the read, and do not forget to #sharepositivestories. 

Question 1: Can you take us through your career? Where did you start, and what do you love most about your current role?

Sabine Renner (SR): “After completing the hotel school in Klessheim, Salzburg, my first job was as night auditor/receptionist in a small castle in Salzburg, the famous Hotel Schloss Moenchstein. After a couple of years, I moved to Napa Valley in the USA where I spent two years at the fabulous "Auberge du Soleil" a Relais & Chateaux property in the middle of the vineyards and where I could truly enjoy my passion for good food and wine. The next steps took me through various cities including Munich and Marbella, Spain where I worked for Starwood Hotels & Resorts, followed by Dubai and 6 years in Cannes at the emblematic Hotel Martinez. In 2018, I moved back to the UAE to work for the beautiful Park Hyatt Dubai.

After living in 7 countries and with more than 20 years in the luxury hospitality industry, my business partner and I have decided to open our own company "Renner & Grosse Collection" in 2019, a boutique representation and communication agency with offices in Dubai and Munich (where my business partner Isabel Grosse is based).

Being an entrepreneur indeed changes your life completely, and the daily learning, experimenting, adapting, and (re-) connecting are some of the aspects I enjoy the most in this new adventure.”

Question 2: What does hospitality mean to you?

SR: “Hospitality for me means to host with passion, authenticity, empathy, and dedication. It is all about how you make the guest feel & the memories he takes with him.

You can have a beautiful hotel, with the most renovated rooms, state-of-the-art technology, the newest Spa - but if you don't truly care for your guests - you have nothing.”

“You can have a beautiful hotel, with the most renovated rooms, state-of-the-art technology, the newest Spa - but if you don’t truly care for your guests - you have nothing.”

Question 3: Can you please share an anecdote you experienced, that shows the variety and beauty of our industry? 

​SR: “Working in Dubai truly reflects the diversity of our industry. Having led teams with over 30 different nationalities, all with different backgrounds, education & personalities it still fascinates me how they all come together, respect and learn from each other to deliver memorable experiences to our guests.”

Question 4: What was the most powerful advice you have received so far?

SR: “One of the most powerful pieces of advice I received very early in my career was to always let my intuitions guide me and most importantly, stay true to my values.”

Question 5: What would you like to say to a hospitality/ tourism student/professional who recently started his / her career, at this right moment?

SR: “This industry will allow you to meet wonderful people travel the World, and expand your horizon, personally and professionally. Stay curious and don't be afraid to experience different cultures, work hard, be proactive, positive, and continuously expand your network. Find the area you're truly passionate about and make a difference by creating memories for your guests no matter in which department you work.”

“Stay curious and don’t be afraid to experience different cultures, work hard, be proactive, positive, and continuously expand your network. ”

Question 6: Do you have a book recommendation - this could be everything from a novel to an autobiography, etc. 

SR: “As an avid reader, I always read 2-3 books in parallel and enjoy different genres depending on my mood. While biographies are my favorite, e.g. "Jehan Sadat - A woman of Egypt", "Open" Andre Agassi or Nelson Mandela, you will always find a personal development book such as "The 5 am Club" or "Think like a monk" as well as a light novel on my coffee table.”

Question 7: Which other industry experts, would you like to see answer these questions as well? 

SR: “I would recommend Kathrin Apitz, Vice President Firmdale Hotels USA, a great woman, and inspiring leader.”

Question 8: Any recommendations of places to visit in Dubai and/or Munich that are not advertised? 

SR: “Although currently, I would recommend visiting the EXPO in Dubai (how could I not?), there are other beautiful emirates to discover in the UAE such as Fujairah or Ras Al Khaimah.”

Question 9: What is your favorite place to stay? 

SR: “My favorite place is on a sailing boat, anchored on a deserted spot somewhere in the Greek islands...”

Thank you Sabine for taking the time to share your insights with us. I look forward to seeing you again soon.