We had the change to interview Vinod, who shared the Auberge Resorts philosophy and the uniqueness that make them the perfect stay either in Etéreo or at any of their locations around Mexico.
Name: Vinod Narayan
Instagram: @vinodnarayan76
Website: aubergerresorts.com/etereo
Title: General Manager
City you live in: Cancun
Most recent city visited… Monterrey
A typical day in my life includes… I wake up at 5:00 a.m. and workout for about one hour — not my favorite time but very necessary with the tastings that our Executive Chef Miguel Baltazaar makes me partake in—. I leave home at about 7:15 a.m. and arrive at work just before 8:00 a.m. to review notes from the previous night and review our arrival and departures for the day. Every morning I attend our 8:30 a.m. morning rally with our key department heads to review the day and discuss any pressing items. No day is the same at Etéreo, but I spend much of it in meetings focused on product and service enhancements, financial performance, and of course walking the property and chatting with guests. I normally leave the hotel at around 8:00 p.m. once I know that dinner operations are well under way. I typically get home by 9:00 p.m., have a quick dinner, and spend some good time with my wife and daughters. Then unwind with some TV or a book and sleep by about 11:30 p.m.
What’s the most challenging part of your job? Finding the correct balance between the administrative tasks, spending time with our guests, dedicating time to the team and also balancing the need for work life balance. All aspects are important and finding that perfect blend is an ongoing work in progress.
What makes Auberge Resorts stand out from other resorts? The individuality and personality of each property, they really do become a representation culturally and physically of the destination. When a guest arrives at the property and even if they never leave the resort, we want them to go away being richer for having had a real cultural and spiritual insight into the destination and the reverence we have for the local community.
What was the inspiration behind Etéreo? A modern Mayan experience surrounded by the incredible power of the living and breathing raw beauty and nature that surrounds us. To create a resort that remains respectful of the local community and balances great experiences, incredible hospitality with a recognition of the spirituality of the Mayan culture.
How would you describe each resort in Mexico Etéreo, Esperanza and Chileno Bay Resort & Residences? Each of our resorts has a very unique feel embodies its own spirit. The through line between Auberge Resorts is the quality of product, service and experience, with each hotel having it’s own identity. Esperanza has a great family atmosphere and that can be seen in the loyal repeat guests they have coming back annually. Chileno, has a more hip and modern vibe with a slightly younger demographic. Our newest hotel in Mexico, Susurros del Corazon in Punta de Mita, is a luxuriously relaxed surf retreat that embodies a playful spirit.
How does Auberge combine the Mexican culture and roots with their hospitality philosophy in every resort? The Auberge core values and Mexican hospitality blend incredibly well. The familial nature of Auberge as a company and the desire to work in a respectful and inclusive manner works exceptionally well with Mexican culture. Auberge tries to respectfully represent Mexico in the right way, to culturally create an awareness of the rich diversity and cultural nuances in Mexico and represent Mexican culture in an incredibly positive manner. The food, natural beauty of each destination, warmth of the Mexican personality, cultural nuances from State to State are all aspects Auberge wants to celebrate.
What would you consider a key point in your career? Moving to Auberge, I have learned a lot throughout my career and all has been very positive for my own development. Being with Auberge and seeing the values they hold and the importance they place on creating unique destination specific properties with a supportive leadership team at our Home Office makes me immensely proud to be part of this team. On top of this I get to work at an incredible property with a fabulous team that works with an incredible degree of passion and pride.
Auberge plans on expanding more on Mexico? I think that the company is always looking at opportunities and if they fit the belief that they will enhance the brand and that Auberge can create the true Auberge experience then, they will continually be looking for further opportunities. The richness of the culture and diversity offered across the country make expansion a definite possibility in the future.
Photographs: Auberge Resorts.