April 08, 2021

CAMILLE GERSDORFF #PÁJARAPINTABIRDS

Tell us a bit about yourself. How did you get into hospitality?

My name is Camille Gersdorff. I am originally from Belgium and as Obelix fell into the pot of magic potion as a child, I fell into the hotel business. Blessed by this universe, I took my first steps in the kitchen of my parents first Michelin star restaurant. Ever since a young age, I was driven by a desire for freedom, independence, and discovery, which has guided me on my journey of life. In 2012, I started my studies at the Glion Institute in Switzerland and worked worldwide from the Portman Ritz Carlton Hotel in Shanghai, the London NYC Hotel in New York and CBRE Hotels in London.

In 2018, I started my entrepreneurial journey with two first projects in Paris. Today I am the proud owner of the Hotel Les Tilleuls in Etretat focusing on hospitality, wellbeing and artistic events and residents. I am also a dedicated to create together the world of tomorrow.

How are you related to wellness?

Wellness entered my life three years ago and spirituality catch me directly. It was at a decisive point of my life where I wanted change in life but I didn't know how and it made me realise that every answer can be found inside of me.

I started to practice meditation, yoga and discovered a new world in front of me that allowed me to feel better about myself in my mind, body and soul. I decided to integrate this new part of my personality into my work when I opened my hotel property offering many different retreats and experiences to my clients such as kundalini, hypnose, naturopathy and many other workshops. This keeps me learning new healing practices through my work in addition to my personal experiences such as a recent yoga teacher training in Mexico and currently doing various workshops in Tulum.

Three rules to be a good host?

Kindness - be kind with your client, hospitality is about trying to know their needs before they even express them.

Connection - I believe in the hospitality of connection, a place that feels like home away from home.

Passion - as it is a 7/7 days and 24h business operation company, it requires a high level of passion and dedication for the industry. It needs to come from the heart.

Favorite city and hotel?

I have many different favorite cities and hotels based on the type of experiences I am looking for during the trip.

I would say the Bambu Indah in Ubud and the Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar in Oman are two places I will keep forever in mind.

Favorite book/podcast?

Book: What I know for sure - Oprah Winfrey
Podcast: "On Purpose" of Jay Shetty.

Best piece of advice for these rare times?

Keep focusing on the unexpected adventures of life. Keep making a life of freedom, love, laughs, happiness, wellbeing and discovery. Making every day: a day to be remembered.

What does #ShiningFromWithin mean to you?

Love yourself, love others, love nature.