Michelle Ford, GM Fusion Maia Resort Danang
The Fusion Maia Resort in Danang is perhaps unique, in that rates are inclusive of unlimited spa treatments. Interested in this concept, we were delighted to discover that our Fusionista (a member of staff assigned to each room) was Michelle, the General Manager of the hotel. We arranged to have a short chat with this interesting woman, to find out a little more.
Michelle started her career in hospitality in her native South Africa, where she studied Hotel Management. She then worked in a number of hotels in Africa and the Middle East (including at Al Maha during its opening), before deciding she would like to work in Asia. Her first preference back then was for Bali or Thailand, but she was caught in a bind, which many job hunters will recognise. Most employers prefer to appoint those with a proven track record in their market. Thus, when offered a job in Vietnam, she decided to take it, just for a year. Nine years later, she still loves working in Vietnam and has no plans to leave. Prior to opening Fusion Maia in Danang, Michelle was Spa Operations Manager for Anantara hotels. However, she felt ready for a bigger challenge and Fusion Maia was perfect.
There are few hotels that offer the relaxing, indulging retreat that Fusion Maia does. Many health resorts are strict, not allowing alcohol or prescribing certain diets. Alternatively, there are luxury hotels with great spas throughout the World, but few offer the accessible wellness experience available at Fusion Maia. Michelle loved the idea of being able to fuse her holistic approach to wellness with her hotel management experience and feels that she has found her perfect job.
For Michelle, the role of GM is not simply running the hotel, but also being responsible for the development of her staff. In a country where subsistence living is a norm, many people live from day-to-day, with no 5-year plan, as in the West. All staff at the hotel receive English lessons twice a week, and there is a focus on staff wellbeing and energy levels with training in meditation and Reiki. The hotel does not aspire to have Western service, rather to provide excellent service incorporating Vietnamese culture. Having enjoyed the hospitality at Fusion Maia Danang, we feel she has accomplished the mission but Michelle is always looking for ways to improve the guest experience so expect new developments in the Wellness Programme.
Michelle started her career in hospitality in her native South Africa, where she studied Hotel Management. She then worked in a number of hotels in Africa and the Middle East (including at Al Maha during its opening), before deciding she would like to work in Asia. Her first preference back then was for Bali or Thailand, but she was caught in a bind, which many job hunters will recognise. Most employers prefer to appoint those with a proven track record in their market. Thus, when offered a job in Vietnam, she decided to take it, just for a year. Nine years later, she still loves working in Vietnam and has no plans to leave. Prior to opening Fusion Maia in Danang, Michelle was Spa Operations Manager for Anantara hotels. However, she felt ready for a bigger challenge and Fusion Maia was perfect.
There are few hotels that offer the relaxing, indulging retreat that Fusion Maia does. Many health resorts are strict, not allowing alcohol or prescribing certain diets. Alternatively, there are luxury hotels with great spas throughout the World, but few offer the accessible wellness experience available at Fusion Maia. Michelle loved the idea of being able to fuse her holistic approach to wellness with her hotel management experience and feels that she has found her perfect job.
For Michelle, the role of GM is not simply running the hotel, but also being responsible for the development of her staff. In a country where subsistence living is a norm, many people live from day-to-day, with no 5-year plan, as in the West. All staff at the hotel receive English lessons twice a week, and there is a focus on staff wellbeing and energy levels with training in meditation and Reiki. The hotel does not aspire to have Western service, rather to provide excellent service incorporating Vietnamese culture. Having enjoyed the hospitality at Fusion Maia Danang, we feel she has accomplished the mission but Michelle is always looking for ways to improve the guest experience so expect new developments in the Wellness Programme.