Firstly, I hope you and your loved ones are safe and well.
For many of you, our Norman journey together started exactly 6 years ago today and for others, more recently. It’s certainly been an exciting, challenging and fruitful journey so far.
However, the current situation has brought challenges and for many, much uncertainty. The inability to travel freely, visit family and dear friends are surely the biggest challenges of all. We are living in uncertain times, but at The Norman at least, remain optimistic and look forward to better times ahead.
Since The Norman first opened its doors in 2014, we have had the honour of hosting thousands of wonderful guests from across the globe, many of whom have become treasured, loyal members of The Norman family. It is these long-lasting relationships that remain the foundation stone of The Norman.
Certainly, these relationships are strengthened by a dedicated team. Over the years, we have made a commitment to training and developing many young and talented people whom I am proud to count among The Norman alumni, and many of whom who are already well on their way to becoming the next generation of hospitality leaders.
Additionally, we have been blessed with a number of equally dedicated partners, most of whom have been working with us since the pre-opening days. So it’s clear to me that The Norman is very much all about the guests that visit us, and the people – some of whom are behind the scenes – that make it happen!
On March 15th 2020, The Norman was forced to close its doors because of the pandemic. From that day on, I made the decision to see the pause as an opportunity. The chance to make improvements we’d talked about for so long, but hadn’t previously had the opportunity to action.
We immediately began a major project to improve all our facilities; the back of house, Alena & Dinings, our kitchens, the guests rooms and public areas.
We continued to keep our gardens immaculate, set about developing new COVID-19 standards and procedures, kept in close contact with our team, often re-grouping to work together to help the wider community and deliver donations to charitable organizations. We also set a new re-opening date which, disappointingly we had to be postpone for the safety of the team and our guests alike. I look forward to the day I can announce our reopening date.
During this difficult time, our amazing team, partners and myself have adapted to this situation as best as we can. We endeavour to support all the employees we had no choice but to release from their duties. Where we can, we have re-allocated staff into different positions enabling them to help us make sure the hotel in a pristine condition with the best possible atmosphere – as soon as the current restrictions are lifted.
I’m proud and honoured to have been given the opportunity to manage The Norman Tel Aviv, an establishment that has become, in a relatively short time, such an iconic hotel in Israel and around the world.
We are all in this together and I know that there is a brighter and shinier future around the corner. In the meantime, I hope you will enjoy our first edition of our new Norman Friends newsletter.
It has been inspired by many of you, guests, associates and friends who have been in touch via email, WhatsApp, social media and in person. We want to share with you the wonderful stories that continue to unfold behind closed doors, experiences that have made The Norman’s last 6 years so magical and some of the exciting news behind the scenes.
I’m looking forward to warmly welcoming you all back again very soon. In the meantime, please feel free to send me any questions or ideas you may have, stories and experiences you would like us to share.
