Dimitri Maritz is the new General Manager of Mantis No. 5, a boutique hotel located in Gqeberha, South Africa. With years of experience in the hospitality industry, he brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role. Under his leadership, the hotel is sure to continue providing guests with exceptional service and a truly memorable experience.
Under Dimitri's leadership, the hotel seeks to host events and workshops that aim to promote Gqeberha’s vibrant diversity in art, design and cuisine. He also wishes to stimulate social change and grow staff involvement in effective and relevant professional development opportunities.
He recognizes that South Africa's diverse cultural heritage has not always been fully acknowledged or celebrated, and he wants to use the hotel as a platform to showcase and empower previously suppressed styles, tastes, and groups; all experiences to be shared by guests and staff alike.
To that end, the hotel has started to incorporate traditional South African flavours and ingredients into its dining options, and will begin to host regular social events that blend the hotel’s inherited art-deco styling with contemporary renovations. The hotel also promotes local culture and traditions in its daily operations, such as incorporating traditional customs into guest interactions, with cuisine looking to incorporate local ingredients, dishes, and twists on dining favourites.
Dimitri believes that by promoting South African culture and cuisine, the hotel can not only provide guests with a unique and authentic experience, but also help to empower and celebrate the diverse communities that make South Africa such a rich and vibrant country.
Thank you for your time. Can you give us a brief bit of history and background to Mantis No. 5?
Mantis No. 5 was founded with the intention of providing a comfortable stopover for guests visiting the nature reserves in the Nelson Mandela Bay area. These reserves were established by our founder, Adrian Gardiner, and the hotel was designed as a convenient place for travellers to rest and rejuvenate after a long day exploring the natural beauty of the region. We strive to make our guests' experience as comfortable and enjoyable as possible, and being a stopover for nature reserve visitors fits perfectly with that goal.
What services and features does the hotel currently offer?
We have on-site bar, and a restaurant that can accommodate a total of 55 guests but these spaces are separate - one fits about 28 guests and the other fits 27 guests. Our wine cellar is a great spot to enjoy a glass of local wine, and our private theatre can be booked for events and functions. We strive to provide a complete and satisfying experience for our guests, whether they're here for a night or an extended stay.
Great! Tell us a little bit about your background in hospitality and how did you end up in Gqeberha at Mantis?
My background in hospitality began with my education at the CUT Hotel school in Bloemfontein where I studied Hotel Management. After graduation, I was offered an in-service training opportunity at The Saxon Boutique Hotel, Villa and Spa. I was subsequently offered a permanent position there and stayed with them for almost 6 years before moving on. I then spent some time as a sales manager, traveling the country and selling hotel technology to different properties. After that, I joined a young and ambitious team and assisted in the opening of Hallmark House hotel in Maboneng. I was then recruited to serve as the opening General Manager for Sanctuary Mandela in Houghton before joining the Mantis team here in Gqeberha in November 2022.
And what are your thoughts of Gqeberha, thus far?
I am captivated by Gqeberha so far. It is a beautiful city with so much history and potential for the future. I am looking forward to learning and exploring more as I've only been here for three months. I have limited experience with the city at this point, but I am excited to discover all it has to offer.
So now that you’re somewhat established in the bay, what are your goals and dreams for Mantis No. 5?
My goal for Mantis No. 5 is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where people of all ages and backgrounds feel comfortable and at home. We want to be a place where guests can come together and connect, while also being at the forefront of sustainable hospitality. We're inspired by our founder Adrian Gardiner's vision for Mantis, which stands for 'Man and Nature Together is Sustainable' and we're committed to continuing and expanding on his and our managing company Accor's work in this area.
What are currently focused on?
One of my main objectives for Mantis No. 5 is to make the hotel as eco-friendly as possible. We are working hard on implementing sustainable practices throughout the property, from water-efficient systems to recycling programs. Our goal is to be among the most sustainable hospitality properties available in Gqeberha, and to set an example for other hotels in the area to follow.
Our ultimate goal is to be at the forefront of eco-tourism and sustainable hospitality, leading the charge in this area. Not only do we want to be an environmentally responsible property, but we also aim to be the premier hotel for guests visiting Gqeberha. We want to offer an unparalleled experience that combines luxury, sustainability, and a deep connection to the local culture and community.
With such big task ahead of you and the team at Mantis, how do the hotel personnel form part of this vision?
At Mantis No. 5, we are proud to have a diverse team representing various communities in the surrounding area. Many of our employees have been with us for years, and we are committed to providing opportunities for growth and development within the company. We currently offer internal training programs and are exploring the possibility of implementing online training for interested staff in the future. We believe that investing in our team members is essential to providing exceptional service to our guests and building a successful business.
So where do you and Mantis No. 5 go from here?
I envision the hotel to be a welcoming and inclusive space where people from all walks of life can gather and share experiences. The hotel's focus on sustainable hospitality is central to these goals, as the team works hard to make the property as eco-friendly as possible.
Mantis No. 5 also aims to be a hub of activity in Gqeberha's social and night-life scene. The hotel hopes to attract a diverse crowd of people, including up-and-comers and established individuals, and create a space where they can mix and mingle.
