Michel Wichman on Success, Responsibility, and the Long Road That Lasts

Michel Wichman Interview

Every individual defines success in their own way. Yet one fundamental truth applies universally: a fulfilling life and a lasting career do not happen by chance. They are the result of conscious decisions, discipline, and the willingness to take responsibility over time.

Michel Wichman is a Dutch-Swiss hotelier, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor with more than thirty years of experience in international hospitality. Born in the Eindhoven region of the Netherlands and educated in hotel management and business administration, he built his professional career in Switzerland, one of the world’s most demanding hospitality markets. Over the decades, Wichman has combined hands-on operational leadership with entrepreneurship and independent advisory work, earning a reputation for clarity, authenticity, and long-term thinking.

From operational hotel management to ownership, consulting, and authorship, his career reflects a consistent belief: real success is built quietly, through substance rather than spectacle.

Success as a Conscious Choice

Times CEO: Michel, you often speak about success as something that must be earned over time. How do you personally define it?

Michel Wichman replied:
“Success means being able to look at your life and career and know that you built something real. It’s not about speed, visibility, or applause. It’s about making conscious choices, staying disciplined, and taking responsibility for your actions. A fulfilling life doesn’t just happen, you have to work for it every single day.”

A Career Built Step by Step

Michel Wichman began his career at the operational level of hospitality, progressing steadily through consistency and commitment rather than shortcuts. His philosophy is simple and uncompromising.

“I often say that success comes from taking the stairs, not the elevator,” Wichman explains. “Shortcuts may look attractive, but they rarely last.”

This approach became particularly visible during his tenure as General Manager of the Grand Hotel Bellevue in Gstaad from 2004 to 2011, one of Switzerland’s most sophisticated and competitive hospitality destinations.

Leading in Gstaad Precision Without Excess

Times CEO: What were your leadership priorities at the Grand Hotel Bellevue?

Michel Wichman replied:
“Gstaad is a place where guests expect excellence without being reminded of it. My focus was on service culture, operational precision, and internal clarity. Luxury should feel effortless, but effortlessness is the result of structure, discipline, and motivated people behind the scenes. Leadership means creating an environment where teams understand their role and take pride in doing things properly.”

Hotel Spitzhorn A Personal Interpretation of Authentic Hospitality

In 2013, together with Ilse, Michel Wichman founded Hotel Spitzhorn in Saanen-Gstaad. The property is owned by Baloise Helvetia AG and operated by Wichman Horeca AG. Since its opening, the hotel has been recognized for more than twelve consecutive years as the leading winter hotel in its category in Switzerland.

Officially classified as a 3-star superior hotel, Hotel Spitzhorn offers 4-star infrastructure within a 5-star Alpine environment, an intentional and carefully balanced positioning.

Times CEO: What was your vision behind Hotel Spitzhorn?

Michel Wichman replied:
“We wanted to create something honest. Hotel Spitzhorn is about authenticity, not excess. Guests feel when quality is genuine. They don’t need to be impressed, they want to feel at ease. Our guiding principle, ‘the lightness of being,’ reflects a modern, human-centered approach to hospitality.”

The chalet-style hotel offers around 50 guest rooms, a seasonal brasserie-style restaurant, and comprehensive wellness facilities, including an indoor pool, sauna, steam bath, Kneipp area, and fitness facilities.

From Operations to Strategic Advisory

Alongside his hotel operations, Michel Wichman founded SwissGlobe Group AG, an independent hospitality advisory firm supporting owners, investors, and developers across the full lifecycle of hospitality projects.

Times CEO: Why did you move into advisory work?

Michel Wichman replied:
“Over the years, I saw many projects fail not because of ambition, but because of unrealistic assumptions. Concepts without clarity, financial expectations disconnected from reality, and insufficient operational planning. SwissGlobe Group AG was created to bring realism, feasibility, and long-term thinking into hospitality development.”

SwissGlobe Group AG is known for its independent, pragmatic approach, focusing on sustainability, operational clarity, and value creation rather than short-term trends.

The Mansard Gstaad A Trust-Based Collaboration

Among SwissGlobe’s notable initiatives is The Mansard Gstaad, a hospitality and lifestyle project developed together with long-standing partners Rahul and Kapil Bhatia.

Michel Wichman explained:
“The Mansard was built on trust, shared values, and mutual respect. Those elements are essential in any successful partnership.”

After achieving its strategic objectives and market positioning, the collaboration concluded with a structured and amicable exit, reflecting Wichman’s belief in clarity and professionalism at every stage of a project.

The Radical Truth About Success

All these experiences now form the foundation of Michel Wichman’s upcoming book, The Radical Truth About Success, to be published in January 2026 in cooperation with Remote Verlag in Germany.

Originally written for his son Moritz, who studies at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, the book is aimed at young entrepreneurs, future leaders, and anyone seeking a more grounded understanding of success.

Times CEO: What is the core message of your book?

Michel Wichman replied:
“True success doesn’t come from shortcuts. It comes from hard work, clear values, honesty, and personal responsibility. From dishwasher to hotel owner, I worked my way up step by step. Nothing comes for free. If you want to reach the top, you have to take the stairs.”

The book shares personal lessons learned through setbacks, leadership challenges, and long-term commitment, emphasizing authenticity over appearances.

A Philosophy That Endures

Beyond his entrepreneurial activities, Michel Wichman is a co-founder and former president of The Best 3 Star Hotels of Switzerland, an association dedicated to professionalism, individuality, and quality among independent hotels.

Across all his roles, as hotelier, advisor, and author, one theme remains constant: success is not about speed or visibility. It is about consistency, responsibility, and values that endure over time.

In a rapidly changing world, Michel Wichman’s message is both clear and timeless:
Build quietly. Think long-term. Take responsibility. And always take the stairs.

Connect and Learn More

Learn more about Hotel Spitzhorn
https://www.hotelspitzhorn.ch

Learn more about SwissGlobe Group AG
https://www.swissglobegroup.com

Learn more about Remote Verlag
https://www.remote-verlag.de

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