Mazen Abilmona - General Manager of PUllman Singapore Hill Street
A true leader, a spark ignitor, and the epitome of a hotelier – these are easily the first descriptors that come to mind whenever anyone asks someone who has had the pleasure of working with Pullman Singapore Hill Street’s appointed General Manager, Mazen Abilmona.
Born and raised in Lebanon to a pediatrician father, Mazen grew up with the expectation of having to follow in his footsteps. As with most college students looking to earn their keep while studying, Mazen landed a job as a barback which made him realize that he loved the thrill and interactions that come with the job. Initially settling on hospital management to appease his father, he soon realized that top management roles in hospitals are all certified doctors, and he will always have to play second fiddle if he were to pursue that path.
Upon finding out that his university (Lebanese American University, circa 1995 – 1999) opened a bachelor’s course in hospitality management, he enrolled himself in by promising his parents that he will exceed their expectations.
Making the first big move for larger prospects, young Mazen deliberately sought an internship in South Carolina before flying across the globe to work as a hotel trainee for banquets and events in Abu Dhabi.
Hopping over to nearby Dubai in late 2001, he scored a Service Supervisor role at Fairmont Dubai where his journey with Accor kicked off.
Within the first 6 years, Mazen quickly rose to the Director of Banquets & Events before taking on the Assistant Director of Food & Beverage role in his last 2 years. Throughout his 8-year-long tenure at Fairmont Dubai, Mazen was roped into projects that included the launch of dining concepts, pulled into the pre-opening taskforce for multiple Fairmont properties (Cairo, Abu Dhabi and Dubai) and perhaps most notably, the iconic Peppermint Club Lounge which was famed for its massive parties headlined by A-list DJs the likes of Paul van Dyk, Carl Cox and Armin van Buuren, just to name a few. A journey so demanding yet fruitful, the achievements and learnings back then would remain a foundation for every role till today.
Recognizing his knack for shaking up the culinary scene, Accor relocated Mazen to Fairmont Singapore. Over the course of 2 years, he spearheaded 7 dining concepts that included 2 restaurant overhauls that eventually led to exceeding profit projections and the recognition from global travelers with a top #14 placement in Conde Nast Readers Travel Awards 2010 for the Overseas Business Hotels category. With an established track record of leading hotel dining to huge success, Accor would continue to count Mazen as an instrumental figure in opening task forces and dining rebrands across Fairmont Peace Hotel (Shanghai, Nov 2011 – Jul 2013), Sofitel Sanya Leeman Resort (Hainan, Oct 2013 – Sep 2014), Fairmont Riyadh (Saudi Arabia, Sep 2014 – May 2017) and SO/ Singapore (May 2017 – Jan 2018).
Following 10 years of being a F&B Director, it was time to change up roles. Mazen took up the next challenge of handling both overall hotel operations and F&B management simultaneously. Starting as Director of Operations in Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa (2018), he then progressed to Hotel-in-Charge at SO/ Singapore (late 2019) before finally culminating as the Cluster Hotel Manager of both luxury properties (late 2021) in just a span of 4 years.
Pullman Singapore Hill Street (PSHS) is Mazen’s first General Manager role and naturally, one of significance in his career. What first struck him was Pullman’s tagline, “Our World is Your Playground”—honing in on the idea of ‘play’ led him to envisioning a truly dynamic property that Singapore has never seen. Leading the charge since October 2022, he saw himself back to the pre-opening thrill.
Describing PSHS as a living legacy, he put his mind into creating a railway junction themed hotel that juxtaposes play, work, and discovery. Knowing right from the very get-go that the culinary programme at PSHS will need to stand on their own, Mazen played a heavy hand at seeing 3 distinctly different dining concepts come to life with New York deli-inspired Madison’s, Mexican swim-up bar El Chido and Japanese Izakayameets- speakeasy-bar, MOGĀ – from working closely with the chefs to conjure dining and drink programmes, to vetting every single detail down to the plating.
With a lead by example approach to management, Mazen is one who is never afraid of getting his hands dirty and would be the first to jump behind the bar or help day-to-day operations if need be – a defining trait that most past colleagues would vouch for. Placing emotional connection at the forefront, he makes it a point to instill pride in the coming property no matter what challenges have been thrown their way during the preopening phase just so every member will be inspired to do the same when the opening day arrives in Q3 2023.
While the hotel is already at its finishing stages, one would find him taking pensive strolls around the property to think up ideas that he could explore. Some of which, has led to juncture of inviting partnerships including the likes of Sarnies, Starter Lab Bakery and Strengths Clinic Academy, as well as the return of Pullman Porters – all with the intent of creating a destination that is different from conventional luxury hotels while staying true to the Pullman journey.
Outside of work, Mazen enjoys outdoor activities like hiking and cycling. He finds himself gravitating towards reading up on trends and exploring new concepts simply because of his personal motto, “there is something to learn everyday”.
About Pullman
Pullman Hotels & Resorts sets a new tempo in global travel and living, delivering an inspiring, energizing and enriching experience to new entrepreneurs. Pullman welcomes guests with the space they need to focus, work and play. Forward-thinking, hyper-connected and with a passion for art and fitness, Pullman retains the adventurous spirit and open-minded ambition that drove it to become a pioneering travel brand over 150 years ago. Today Pullman features more than 140 properties in vibrant and cosmopolitan destinations around the world including flagship properties such as Pullman Paris Bercy, Pullman Suzhou Zhonghui in Greater China and Pullman Maldives Maamutaa. Pullman is part of Accor, a world leading hospitality group consisting of more than 5,200 properties and 10,000 food and beverage venues throughout 110 countries.
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About Accor
Accor is a world leading hospitality group offering experiences across more than 110 countries in 5 400 properties, 10 000 food & beverage venues, wellness facilities or flexible workspaces. The Group has one of the industry’s most diverse hospitality ecosystems, encompassing more than 40 hotel brands from luxury to economy, as well as Lifestyle with Ennismore. Accor is committed to taking positive action in terms of business ethics & integrity, responsible tourism, sustainable development, community outreach, and diversity & inclusion. Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France and publicly listed on Euronext Paris (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACCYY) in the United States.
For more information, please visit www.group.accor.com
