Chris K. Franzen
About Me
Chris K. Franzen, a Swiss national, grew up in the Swiss alpine village of Zermatt at the foot of mount Matterhorn. Growing up in the family hotel, he was always destined to be in the hospitality business. He finished his schooling in Switzerland before embarking on the Chef and Sommelier apprenticeships; he finished the degrees with distinction, achieving the highest grades in his state. Chris then ventured abroad to complete his university education in Australia (Australian International Hotel School, Canberra) and the USA (Cornell University, Ithaca).
Chris gained experience in many countries and cultures, including Switzerland, Germany, the US, Australia, Russia, the UAE, the Sultanate of Oman, Qatar, and India. Chris serves currently as the Managing Director of the Buergenstock Resort Lake Lucerne. Before his move to Switzerland, he was the opening General Manager of Qatar’s leading 5-star luxury resort, the Waldorf-Astoria Lusail Doha Resort and Residences. Before these assignments, Chris served as the Area Vice President for Hyatt West India, overlooking the largest portfolio of Hyatt hotels in India, including such iconic properties as the Grand Hyatt Mumbai Hotel & Residences and the luxury lifestyle Andaz Hotel in Delhi. Before India, he was responsible for Hyatt’s operation in the State of Qatar and the Sultanate of Oman as Area Vice President, overlooking all Hyatt brands in his region for several years.
Chris has been selected and included in the General Manager’s Power List Middle East 2023, a sign of excellence for industry leaders who have excelled and set industry leading benchmarks.
He is very passionate about delivering above-and-beyond moments for guests and colleagues in a luxury environment. In addition, he enjoys consulting and sharing his experiences as part of the Aureus Advisors group with other industry professionals and hotel operators as well as owners.