Inside the Mind of Ludo de Jong: How the GM of Anantara The Marker Dublin is Redefining Luxury Hospitality and Business Success
Ever wonder what a day in the life of a hotel general manager looks like when they swap boardrooms for barefoot hikes and business reports for brisk dips? Ludo de Jong, the man steering the helm at Anantara The Marker Dublin Hotel, shows us exactly that—blending the sharp edge of leadership with the simple joy of family moments and Irish nature’s stunning backdrops. Picture this: early morning hustle with financial checks paired with croissants from your favorite local spot, a fast-paced gym session infused with Dutch beats, and a spontaneous plunge into the chilly waters of the Forty Foot with your boys—while your wife contemplates the leap. It’s not just business; it’s life, with all its invigorating rushes and quiet pauses. Curious about how Ludo balances high-stakes hotel management with the beautiful chaos of family life in Ireland? Dive in and get inspired. LEARN MORE
“We head to the Forty Foot for a quick dip. The boys myself get in, but my wife is not quite there yet” – Ludo de Jong, general manager of Anantara The Marker Dublin Hotel
7am I wake up one hour later than usual. I get a very warm hug from Boef, our small terrier who is full of energy.
I go down to the living area and start my day with a fresh glass of lemon juice with warm water. I bring Boef for a walk around our neighbourhood in Blackrock.
It’s still very quiet and I can see the sun coming up.
7.30am I look at the financial review, guest feedback and operational reports from the hotel. I scroll through those and I catch up with the latest headlines in The Irish Times.
I like to stay informed.
8am I head to Raw Gym in Sandyford. I go there every morning and switch between fitness and cardio.
I do a bit of rowing and treadmill today while listening to Armin van Buuren, a Dutch DJ known for upbeat house music.
9.30am I stop off at Bear Market Coffee on the way home and pick up some buttery croissants.
The kids (Flores, 16, and Olivier, 12) and my partner Amber are all up when I get home.
We moved here from the Netherlands a little over a year ago. The boys are getting hungrier every day and the eldest is already taller than me.
I bake eggs sunny side up with tarragon and tabasco. We enjoy that on our patio.
10.30am We head to Lough Tay in the Wicklow Mountains, recommended by a colleague. It doesn’t disappoint — it’s almost like a postcard.
The views are really breathtaking. We hike around the lake. That’s what we really love about Ireland — we can drive for 20 minutes and be in beautiful nature.
3pm We drive to the city and park the car. We make a beeline to OMMA — it serves ceremonial-grade matcha from the mountains of Japan.
It’s earthy, vibrant and quite unique. We stroll around the city and take in some music on Grafton Street.
5pm We have an early dinner in the city before driving back to the house, but stop off at the hotel on the way.
When I get home, I walk the dog.
7pm We head out to the Forty Foot for a quick dip. The boys and myself get in, but my wife is not quite there yet.
I get straight out, but the boys can last a bit longer. The rush is really nice.
8.30pm We’re back home. I make a dessert loved by the kids using Wexford strawberries with whipped cream, like a light pavlova.
9pm We wind down and watch the movie 22 Jump Street on the couch. It’s a good way to relax after the hike.
11pm I get into bed and go straight to sleep.
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