Where Heritage Meets Global Luxury: An Exclusive Interview with Mathieu Greppo, General Manager of InterContinental Phoenicia Beirut.

To begin, how would you introduce yourself to The Business Journal Media Group audience—beyond titles and professional roles? 

I’m someone who believes hospitality is about creating meaningful connections, not just managing properties. Educated at the Paul Bocuse School in Lyon, I’ve spent over two decades in luxury hospitality across continents. What drives me is discovering what makes each culture and destination unique. Lebanon has particularly captivated me with its resilience, warmth, and extraordinary spirit. 

You have built a strong international career in hospitality. Could you share key milestones from your journey and how your global experience has shaped your leadership approach? 

My career spans dynamic markets from Marriott International to Kempinski Hotels and Hyatt Regency Dubai. I spent a large amount of my career in the former Soviet Union, which ultimately led me to become Regional Vice President for Accor Luxury Brands in Russia and CIS countries, overseeing properties including Swissotel Moscow and Fairmont Baku. 

The former Soviet Union taught me invaluable lessons about navigating complexity, building strong teams in challenging environments, and maintaining luxury positioning through economic and political shifts. These experiences shaped my leadership: adaptability, cultural sensitivity, and unwavering commitment to excellence regardless of circumstances. 

Based on your experience across different countries, what are the main challenges and opportunities you see in hospitality between Lebanon and other international markets? 

Lebanon faces real challenges: economic volatility, infrastructure concerns, regional instability. Yet it possesses something irreplaceable, an authenticity you cannot manufacture. Lebanese hospitality is legendary. 

The operational reality is maintaining international luxury standards while navigating constraints. But the opportunities are extraordinary. Lebanon offers resilience, culture, heritage, and an unmatched culinary scene. While other markets have newer infrastructure, Lebanon offers genuine soul and character. Our opportunity is channeling this authentic

spirit while delivering world-class IHG standards. 

What does it mean to you personally and professionally to lead an iconic property such as Hotel Phoenicia InterContinental Beirut, managed by the IHG Group? 

It’s both an honor and a profound responsibility. The Phoenicia isn’t just a hotel; it’s a national institution and symbol of Lebanon’s golden era. Since joining in July 2024, I’ve been struck by how deeply this property is woven into Lebanon’s identity. 

What also drew me to the Phoenicia is the ownership. Too many hotels nowadays belong to big holdings or large pension funds where you can wake up one day and hear your hotel has been bought by a company with no understanding of hospitality. The Phoenicia was built and has been owned by the same family throughout decades. This is an absolute privilege because it brings confidence, trust, and great support in good times and bad times. This continuity and commitment to hospitality excellence is rare in today’s industry. 

Professionally, it means upholding a legacy while writing the next chapter. We reopened in October 2022 after the port blast, demonstrating that Lebanon and the Phoenicia stand strong. Personally, it’s being part of something greater. It’s a privilege to steward this legacy alongside a team whose dedication inspires me daily. 

Hotel Phoenicia holds a rich and legendary history. From your perspective, what makes this hotel truly unique, and how do you preserve its heritage while introducing modern innovation? 

The Phoenicia’s uniqueness lies in its DNA. Designed by Edward Durell Stone in 1961, it combined Levantine influences with mid-century elegance. It achieved immediate success, attracting global luminaries and embodying Lebanon itself: sophisticated yet warm, historic yet forward-thinking. 

Preserving heritage while innovating requires balance. We honor the original architecture, art collection, and spaces that tell stories, while continuously modernizing. Our recent reopening included updates to rooms, dining, spa, and technology. We’re not erasing history; we’re building upon it. 

You are currently leading a comprehensive renovation and redevelopment plan for the hotel. Could you share your overall vision, the key areas being reimagined, and the collaboration with architects and interior designers that is shaping these transformations? 

Following our successful reopening after the 2020 explosion, we’re now embarking on our most ambitious transformation yet.

We have a full room renovation coming soon that will completely reimagine every guest accommodation with refined materials, sophisticated palettes, and contemporary comfort while preserving our elegant heritage. 

We’re remodeling the Club Lounge to create an elevated exclusive experience with enhanced privacy, refined amenities, and personalized service. 

The Améthyste outdoor pool lounge is getting a full uplift, transforming into a stunning Mediterranean-inspired retreat with enhanced aesthetics and an atmosphere that transitions from vibrant daytime energy to sophisticated evening ambiance. 

We’re collaborating with talented architects and designers who’ve shaped some of the world’s finest luxury properties, bringing fresh perspectives while respecting what makes us irreplaceable. 

Cascade Lounge is renowned for its remarkable architectural and interior design, including the iconic 24-karat gold ceiling. Could you share the story behind this feature, its significance within the hotel’s identity, and how the architects and designers contributed to this unique concept? 

Actually, the ceiling is made of 18-carat gold, and given the surface, you’re basically standing beneath a 1 million dollar ceiling above your head. It’s quite extraordinary when you think about it. 

Such a hotel lobby is unique in Beirut. No other five-star property has this kind of setup and layout. It was a bold architectural choice that reflects the vision and ambition of the Phoenicia’s founders, creating a space that immediately conveys luxury and timelessness. 

Located in our main lobby and operating 24 hours daily, Cascade is the heart of the hotel. The design reflects Beirut’s golden era with elegant furnishings, warm lighting, and intimate ambiance. The live piano music on weekends connects us to our heritage where culture and hospitality converge. 

Its significance lies in versatility: business meetings during the day, travelers relaxing in the afternoon, evening guests enjoying bespoke cocktails. It represents Lebanese hospitality at its finest, under one of the most remarkable ceilings in the region. 

On a personal note, which place or element within Hotel Phoenicia is closest to your heart, and why? 

The original 1961 Phoenician Tower lobby. Each morning, I’m reminded of Najib Salha’s vision to create a world-class hotel putting Beirut on the global map. 

But what truly moves me is watching the lobby come alive: Lebanese families celebrating

milestones, business leaders conducting meetings, travelers discovering Beirut, team members greeting guests with genuine warmth. This lobby has witnessed Lebanon’s golden age, its darkest hours, and its remarkable comeback. It represents the enduring spirit of a nation. 

Looking ahead, what upcoming projects or renovations can guests and the hospitality community expect, particularly in terms of restaurants, lounges, and overall guest experience? 

We’re continuously evolving. Our culinary experiences are being reimagined to showcase Lebanon’s extraordinary heritage alongside international cuisines. The Améthyste transformation will create distinct moods from vibrant afternoons to sophisticated nights. 

We’re ensuring our 446 rooms reflect contemporary luxury while maintaining our signature elegance. Our spa and wellness programs are expanding. Event spaces are being modernized with state-of-the-art technology. We’re implementing environmentally responsible practices and enhancing digital touchpoints while maintaining our personal, warm service. 

We’re not chasing trends; we’re setting standards. 

With your extensive experience in luxury hospitality, what is your long-term vision for hotels of this caliber, and how do you see Hotel Phoenicia positioned within the regional and international hospitality landscape? 

The future of luxury hospitality lies in authenticity. Travelers crave genuine experiences connecting them to place, culture, and community. What endures is human connection: exceptional service delivered by passionate professionals. 

Our competitive advantage is our story and soul. We are distinctly Lebanese, distinctly Beirut, distinctly Phoenicia. That authenticity, combined with IHG’s operational excellence, creates something powerful. 

My vision is for the Phoenicia to be recognized as the definitive luxury experience in Lebanon and a landmark destination in the Eastern Mediterranean. We want to be where history continues to be made, where leaders and families create their most important memories. 

Our goal is simple yet ambitious: ensuring that 60 years from now, the Phoenicia remains as legendary as today, continuing to make history one guest at a time. 

Interview prepared for The Business Journal Media Group 

InterContinental Phoenicia Beirut