2005 Hoteliers Of The World

By Staff -- HOTELS Magazine, 11/1/2005

Roberto Wirth, HOTELS’ 2005 Independent Hotelier of the World.

Stephen Bollenbach, Corporate Hotelier of the World.

While in past years the line between the “Corporate” and “Independent” Hotelier of the World may have been a bit blurred, either by the winner’s job title or his or her entrepreneurial spirit, this year there can be no mistaking who is corporate and who is independent. And as this year’s accomplished and impressive winners demonstrate, each is proud to hold his respective title: Roberto Wirth as HOTELS’ 2005 Independent Hotelier of the World and Stephen Bollenbach as the Corporate Hotelier of the World. For Wirth the title“Independent” is especially meaningful as his landmark Hotel Hassler in Rome is one of a dying breed of wholly independent, family-run hotels. As the sole owner of the Hassler, Wirth represents his family’s fifth generation in hotelkeeping, and for him running a historic hotel is as much a lifestyle as it is a business.

On a more personal level, Wirth’s story is truly independent as well because his path to success has been one-of-a-kind. Born deaf, Wirth’s biography is as much a tale of triumph over adversity as it is of carrying on a family legacy.

For despite his disability, with hotelkeeping in his blood, Wirth could imagine no other way of life. And after years of dedication to realizing his dream, today Wirth easily combines a genuine love of making guests happy with keeping his bottom line healthy. His passion for the hotel business is no doubt the reason the Hassler maintains its position as one of the premier hotel in Rome.

While also passionate about his business, Bollenbach, by contrast, is the epitome of a corporate hotel executive. A true money man who began his 40-year career in banking, Bollenbach is most comfortable behind his CEO’s desk at Hilton Hotels Corp. In fact, he is the first to say he would not know the first thing about checking a guest into a hotel. But what he does know better than most is how to make that hotel profitable, how to grow market share and how to keep shareholders happy.

Bollenbach is a no-nonsense leader who takes a big-picture approach to the hotel business. His impressive career can be characterized by “the big deals” with the likes of Marriott International, Holiday Corp., Disney, and, of course, Hilton. Bollenbach’s sharp business acumen has paid off generously for these companies as he has demonstrated time and time again his master ability to make even the most complicated deals look easy.

So while it is doubtful either of this year’s Hotelier of the World winners would be comfortable in the other’s shoes, it is clear that each has reached the pinnacle of his chosen career via tireless dedication and determination to succeed. These two vastly different men share the spotlight as Hoteliers of the World and their industry colleagues honor not only their myriad accomplishments but also their uncompromising spirit.

Independent Hotelier Of The World: Roberto Wirth

Corporate Hotelier Of The World: Steve Bollenbach

Past Winners