Akhmad Fadholi, commonly named Byang, arrived in December 2023 with an extensive career of over 27 years in the hospitality industry. Armed with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and no hospitality background, his outgoing, friendly demeanour, a love of meeting new people, and a great admiration for the hotel profession have made him a success on his chosen career path.
Beginning on the ground floor as a doorman and then concierge in what was formerly the Mandarin Oriental Surabaya (now Hotel Majapahit Surabaya) in 1997, he was then promoted to several positions including Front Office and Head of Department to his current title as General Manager of Vertu and Yello Hotels Harmoni Jakarta.
During his career, Byang chose to develop himself with studies in sales, marketing, finance, human resources, engineering, and food preparation. Prior to his current assignments, he was Rooms Division Manager at the Sheraton Senggigi Beach Resort from 2006-2011, and Director of Rooms at W Bali, Seminyak from 2011-2015. He graduated from the Starwood Hotel Manager Track 2013-2014, where he completed 18 months of 27 projects, including engineering, EHC, safety & security audit, service culture, incremental digital extra revenue, and an acting hotel manager role. At that time, out of 47 candidates who participated in the program, 44 have been promoted to Hotel Manager or Executive Assistant Manager positions, while 2 have been promoted to General Manager positions, and Byang was one of them. He took on the role of General Manager of the Sheraton Bandung Hotel & Towers in 2015-2016. Later, he moved to Bali, assigned as General Manager of the Four Points by Sheraton Bali Seminyak from 2016-2019 and General Manager of the Four Points by Sheraton Bali Ungasan from 2019-2023. To maintain his physical fitness in carrying out the work and responsibilities, Byang implements a healthy lifestyle where sports are a routine habit in his daily life. His favorite sports are basketball, hiking, and other adventurous sports.
With vast experience in managing business hotels and leisure resorts, Byang decided to move to Jakarta and manage two different concepts of hotels. Each with its own uniqueness and strong selling points to offer to customers, including its prime location in Central Jakarta, where the construction of MRT Jakarta Project phase 2 is progressing from Thamrin station, and Monas station, to Harmoni station, which is located just beneath the hotel. This development project is targeted for completion in 2026 with Vertu and Yello Hotels Harmoni Jakarta the only hotels with direct MRT access in Jakarta. Even though it is still in the construction phase, the hotels are showing an increment in occupancy. Their strategic location is a significant pull factor to accommodate business meetings, conferences, weddings, and even family staycations, while Yello features a range of tech-friendly facilities to ensure a comfortable and convenient stay in Jakarta, be it for a business trip or staycation.
Sharing his views, Byang said, “2024 is proving to be an optimistic year, with an early start for business. Even with the government’s plan to relocate the nation’s capital to IKN (Nusantara State Capital) in Kalimantan, compared to Q1 2023 it doesn’t seem to have affected foreign investors and business sectors in Jakarta.
“Vertu’s tagline is ‘every day is a runway’, while Yello’s is ‘freedom of expression’ and I synergize myself with Vertu and Yello at the same time. I adapt to the brand concepts and brand characteristics,” said Byang. “This means that we need to have set tones for both. Vertu requires attentiveness serving our guests, while at Yello we need to be ready to present a freedom of expression vibe and identity. Dynamism is key when managing the two, from the little details like always having business attire and jacket ready in my office,” he added.
Concerning future development, Byang explained, “Entering its 7th year of success, Vertu and Yello consistently revamp themselves, keeping pace with the newest brand identity and facilities, in hardware and software. Hardware refurbishments include room interiors, restaurant furniture and cushions, pool deck, ballroom carpet, gym equipment, and many others. While in Yello, keeping up with trends and technology including street art corners, gaming consoles, art communities, is the focus. Software relates to service culture as the root of the brand with intensive staff training and a sustainable curriculum, which also plays as a strategy for our brands to be distinctive among competitors. The service culture curriculum is also a significant tool for career development programs. Our service culture will become the pioneer or pilot project within The Ascott Limited Indonesia properties, where trial and implementation will commence in February 2024. Furthermore, there will be two new Vertu openings in South East Asia, with the Jakarta Vertu being the flagship for these overseas projects.”
