Selected Assignments

Dallas, United States

THE MANDATE
Harwood International engaged SHG to transform a limited in-house hospitality activity into a standalone division supporting the growth and diversification of its Dallas real estate portfolio.

OUR INTERVENTION
In a fixed-term advisory and executive role, SHG created and structured Harwood Hospitality, developing its organisation, management team, operating standards, commercial strategy and new F&B concepts. SHG also contributed to the detailed concept and interior planning of the group’s first luxury lifestyle hotel, subsequently opened as The Swexan.

IMPACT / OUTCOME

Within six months of opening, Happiest Hour became the highest-grossing alcoholic beverage venue in Texas outside sports arenas.
By the end of the mandate, Harwood Hospitality had become a substantial operating platform employing 300+ associates and generating annual consolidated revenues in the tens of millions of US dollars, with several venues operating and further concepts in development.

Tuscany, Italy

THE MANDATE

Castelfalfi sought to elevate service quality, improve consistency across departments and strengthen both guest and employee experience in preparation for qualification to the Preferred Hotels Resorts Legend Collection.

OUR INTERVENTION

SHG deployed four senior specialists covering accommodation, F&B, Spa, Golf and Human Resources. Working collaboratively with department heads, the team reviewed operating practices and developed more than 150 customised SOPs, covering service standards, guest experience, employee experience and HR procedures.

IMPACT / OUTCOME

Castelfalfi successfully met the required standards and joined the Preferred Hotels & Resorts Legend Collection.
During the same year, the resort’s Golf Club also received the Best Caddie Master in Italy 2023 award from the Italian Golf Awards.

Geneva, Switzerland

THE MANDATE

Following the end of the Swissôtel management agreement, the City of Geneva entrusted SHG with the 36-month interim management and strategic repositioning of Hôtel Métropole and Parc des Eaux-Vives.

OUR INTERVENTION

SHG completed the debranding, introduced a new integrated operating structure, renewed approximately 50% of key leadership positions, redesigned service standards, commercial and revenue strategies, F&B concepts and financial reporting, and merged the previously separate teams of both establishments.

IMPACT / OUTCOME

The transition was completed with full operational continuity and no social disruption. Hôtel Métropole retained its 5-star Superior classification, while the operating losses of Parc des Eaux-Vives were eliminated.
The Métropole also received multiple international distinctions, including three World Luxury Hotel Awards in 2017 and the Preferred Hotels & Resorts iPrefer Hotel of the Year 2018 award.

Ramatuelle / Saint-Tropez, France

THE MANDATE

Three months before seasonal reopening, ultra-luxury boutique resort ÉPI 1959 faced a major management crisis, including a leadership breakdown and the loss of critical operating data, customer history, management dashboards and employee and supplier records.

OUR INTERVENTION

SHG mobilised a five-member senior specialist team to rebuild the operating platform, recruit a new General Manager and department heads, redefine service standards and procedures, and implement new analytical accounting, financial reporting, commercial and marketing strategies.

IMPACT / OUTCOME

The property reopened successfully while maintaining the service level expected by an ultra-luxury clientele. Within 24 months, SHG helped restore a severely loss-making operation to operating break-even, while rebuilding a sustainable management and operating platform.

Saint-Émilion, France

THE MANDATE

Château de Ferrand wine estate sought to transform an emerging wine-tourism activity into a structured and sustainable hospitality business capable of strengthening the estate’s attractiveness, reputation and long-term positioning.

OUR INTERVENTION

Over a five-year relationship, SHG mobilised five senior specialists across strategy, operations, guest experience, commercial development and digital positioning.
The assignment included operating procedures, team training, a new culinary identity, thematic experiences, commercial offers, sales representation in key markets, digital strategy and recruitment support.

IMPACT / OUTCOME

SHG helped establish a credible and sustainable hospitality activity that now contributes significantly to the estate’s image, visibility and communication.
The initiative also developed a new customer base for its wines associates.

Verbier, Switzerland · Ongoing

THE MANDATE

SHG was appointed by the investors to help define and structure a new ultra-luxury alpine development combining a hotel and branded residences, from concept and feasibility through to operator selection.

OUR INTERVENTION

SHG works alongside the architects on programming, front- and back-of-house layouts, equipment and F&B concepts, while developing 10-year financial projections, the branded residences and HO framework, and detailed FF&E / OS&E budgets covering approximately 1,200 references. The mandate also includes the international operator shortlist, RFP process and HMA preparation.

IMPACT / OUTCOME

Within the first 10 months, SHG has established a robust development and financial framework and completed a rigorous preselection of leading ultra-luxury operators. Several have expressed strong interest in the project, supported by a comprehensive international RFP process.