Gadi Priver, a prominent figure in the hotel industry in Israel, worked his way up to the top. From bellboy to owner of an expanding chain of premium hotels, his is a story of diligence, determination, and true love of hospitality.
Tell us about your ascent in the hotel world
I left high school at the age of 16 and worked for two years as a bellboy at the King Solomon Hotel in Jerusalem. At 18, I enlisted in the IDF. After completing my military service, I worked as a bellboy at the Ramada Renaissance Hotel in Jerusalem. I advanced to the position of reception manager. I left there and worked as a reception manager at the Hod Dead Sea Hotel, where I advanced to the position of VP. At 25, I returned to the Ramada Renaissance Hotel, where I worked as the food and beverage manager.
At 27, I became the CEO of the Nirvana Dead Sea Hotel. I was the youngest hotel CEO in the country. During my three years there, I took private lessons and obtained my high school diploma.
At 30, I decided that I wanted to work for one of the international chains. But they wouldn’t hire me as a CEO without first working as a VP. David Fattal, who was the CEO of the Africa Israel Hotel chain at the time, accepted me as VP of the Crowne Plaza Jerusalem Hotel. A year later, I became the CEO of the newly opened Crowne Plaza Dead Sea.
When David Fattal opened his own hotel chain, he took me on as the CEO of the chain. I worked there for 11 years, during which time the Fattal Hotel Group became the largest hotel chain in Israel.
What was your next step?
In 2010, I turned to independent entrepreneurship. In 2011, I founded the Business Authority with Shlomi Brown, with the aim of helping hotels cope with the high expenses and improve their market positioning. I established Kerem Hotels, a management company specializing in luxury hotel management. It operates the Gordonia hotel in Ma'ale Hachamisha, the Ye'arim Hotel in Ma’ale Hachamisha, and the Alma Hotel in Zichron Ya'acov. I invested in renovating and upgrading the hotels, with the aim of offering a luxurious hospitality experience at more affordable prices.
Ten years ago, I teamed up with Efraim Kremer, one of the owners of Eshet Tours and Kerem Hotels.
Tell us about the hotels that are about to open
The construction of Gordonia in Zichron Ya'avov is now being completed. It will have 142 rooms, a swimming pool, and a spa. The hotel will provide an exclusive hospitality experience that aligns with the chain's worldview: true love of hospitality. This includes special attention to each guest, a connection to the land and respect for nature, a scenic view, and seasonal cuisine.
The hotel lobby, which we call the living room, will be closed to the public at night and will operate solely for the hotel guests until midnight, offering complimentary beverages and desserts.
In our smaller hotels, the lounges are open all day long until the wee hours.
Another hotel, the Gordonia Golan Beach in the Galilee, is slated to have 150 suites. It will have a family wing, as well as a wing for couples.
What characterizes the Gordonia chain?
After the first hotel, we decided to deal only with premium hotels under one brand. Each hotel has its unique quality, and all the new hotels have swimming pools. We provide a dream vacation and true peace of mind. The concept is to continue the line.
Who is behind the name Gordonia?
The hotel chain is named after Aharon David Gordon, one of the leaders of the Zionist labor movement and the Gordon movement that founded Ma'ale Hachamisha, where the first Gordonia hotel is located.
What attracts you to the hotel industry?
It's a passion. I quickly advanced to a management position. The establishment of the Fattal chain was fascinating. And now, establishing a luxury brand that I am part of is a different opera.
There are so many development opportunities. I have always loved luxury hotels. I have stayed in luxury hotels, and I continue to do so.
What challenges have you faced over the years?
The corona pandemic, wars. But we always knew how to get through it. The past five years have been very difficult. When we established the hotel in Ma'ale Hachamisha, there was the intifada in Jerusalem in 2016-2017, but we came out strengthened and optimistic.
What advice would you give to young managers?
I am 60 years old and I still feel that I am at the beginning of the road. No matter what level of success you have achieved, there is still a long and exciting road ahead.
Who are the members of your team?
My entire chain of command except for my deputy are women. Women are inclusive, have a broad vision, and, in my opinion, are more intelligent than men.
What innovations do you have in store?
An integral part of the hotel experience is scent and accessories. All our hotels have the same scent. We sell aromatic candles because people like the scent. We're opening a line of spa products, and we have sunscreen and tanning oil. We're taking the name to the extreme.
This article was written in cooperation with Gadi Priver