Neil Mathieu

Semi-retired

Neil Mathieu

I have been in the Hotel Industry for 35 years.
I have worked in 3 hotels in Canada + Internationally.
I am currently in the Hotel industry, but no longer a GM, however I available to lend a hand.  I started with a hotel management course at ITHQ in Montreal followed by being a Night Auditor in Quebec City and in 1989 I became an Owner/GM for 2 different hotels.

My first job/position in the hot el industry was Night Auditor

The number of times I have…

opened a hotel: 2
renovated a hotel: 5
removed a dead body: 0
escorted a guest off the property: 2
seen a ghost in a hotel: 0
kept “it” confidential: 0
driven a guest to the hospital: 2
dealt with an “Act of God”: 1
performed Housekeeping Duties (made beds, scrubbed toilets): 12
taken a sick day: 7

What does it take to be a GM? What’s involved day to day? Listen, listen again and then decide.

The three things I can’t live without are:
1- Customers
2- Colleagues
3- Action

My caffeine fix: Coffee, about 5 cups a day

When I wake up, the first thing I think about is what is going on?

The Hotelier (or person) that has inspired me the most is Famille Lapierre anf famille Milot

My most embarrassing encounter with a hotel guest was his mistress.

My most famous hotel guest was Prime Minister of Canada

 

Best CANADIAN hotel for a entertaining/fun/dirty/wild weekend: Chateau Bonne Entente
Best CANADIAN hotel for a shopping trip: Le 71 in Quebec City
Best CANADIAN hotel for business travel: Le Germain in Québec City
Best CANADIAN convention hotel: Manoir Richelieu
Best CANADIAN airport hotel: Hilton Dorval
Best CANADIAN resort: Esterel
Best RESTAURANT in a CANADIAN hotel: Le Panache

Best technology innovation in hotels:
Alt Group

The best advice given to me…
keep going!

My biggest pet peeve when visiting “other” hotels is arrogant staff.

The Hotel amenity I can’t live without is shampoo.

The worst feeling in the world is… lack of self esteem.

If I could change one thing about the hotel industry, it would it be…Owners would be operators.

If I could meet one person (alive or dead) it would it be…the richest man on earth

If I had to do it all over again, I would… begin.

I prefer…
Day over Night
Summer over Winter
East Coast over West Coast
Sunrise over Sunset
Quiet over Loud
Rock Music over Classical

The “best hotel story” of my career.
Mine Au Vieux Saint Georges and Auberge Benedict Arnold