A visit to Bryan Johnston
Bryan Johnston spent five years on Mallorca and returned to Germany at the age of 23 to train as a hotel manager. After 13 years at Althoff Hotels, he decided to move to the privately run Gutshaus Stolpe near Anklam. He has been working there as Hotel Director since 1 July 2024.

Dear Mr Johnston, Gutshaus Stolpe is a new member of FEINE PRIVATHOTELS - an excellent opportunity to pay you a visit as the director of the hotel!
First of all, welcome to the Gutshaus and I can tell you that we are delighted to have been accepted into FEINE PRIVATHOTELS. It is a great honour for us. As we are currently in the somewhat colder season, I would like to conduct the interview in our parlour.
How did you personally get into the hotel industry? Do you have a family background or what made you decide to start your career in this industry?
No, that's not me at all. I had nothing to do with the hotel industry until I was 19 years old. I was living in Mallorca at the time and then moved into the catering industry on the side. As it eventually became my main job, I decided to return to Germany and train as a hotel manager.

Dear Mr Johnston, Gutshaus Stolpe is a new member of FEINE PRIVATHOTELS - an excellent opportunity to pay you a visit as the director of the hotel!
First of all, welcome to the Gutshaus and I can tell you that we are delighted to have been accepted into FEINE PRIVATHOTELS. It is a great honour for us. As we are currently in the somewhat colder season, I would like to conduct the interview in our parlour.
How did you personally get into the hotel industry? Do you have a family background or what made you decide to start your career in this industry?
No, that's not me at all. I had nothing to do with the hotel industry until I was 19 years old. I was living in Mallorca at the time and then moved into the catering industry on the side. As it eventually became my main job, I decided to return to Germany and train as a hotel manager.
Would you like to tell us a little more about your career? What excites you about your job? And what tipped the scales in favour of Gutshaus Stolpe, which you have been managing since 1 July 2024?
I first completed a three-month internship at the Althoff Hotel Fürstenhof Celle in 2011. I then completed my hotel management apprenticeship there. I then worked for the Fürstenhof for 13 years and was most recently Managing Director. During my time at the Fürstenhof, I was able to accompany several hotel openings of the Althoffhotels. In addition to the Ameron Neuschwanstein Alpsee Resort and SPA, I was also able to help open the Ameron Neckarvillen in Frankfurt and the Ameron Motorworld in Munich. After 13 years, however, it was time for me to look for a new challenge and so I came to Gutshaus Stolpe. I was explicitly looking for a privately run hotel and found it here in Stolpe.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Developing and shaping. Driving forward new projects, developing the hotel further and encouraging employees in their personal development. And of course the diversity of our industry. All this so that the guest is ultimately as happy as possible with us.

Would you like to tell us a little more about your career? What excites you about your job? And what tipped the scales in favour of Gutshaus Stolpe, which you have been managing since 1 July 2024?
I first completed a three-month internship at the Althoff Hotel Fürstenhof Celle in 2011. I then completed my hotel management apprenticeship there. I then worked for the Fürstenhof for 13 years and was most recently Managing Director. During my time at the Fürstenhof, I was able to accompany several hotel openings of the Althoffhotels. In addition to the Ameron Neuschwanstein Alpsee Resort and SPA, I was also able to help open the Ameron Neckarvillen in Frankfurt and the Ameron Motorworld in Munich. After 13 years, however, it was time for me to look for a new challenge and so I came to Gutshaus Stolpe. I was explicitly looking for a privately run hotel and found it here in Stolpe.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Developing and shaping. Driving forward new projects, developing the hotel further and encouraging employees in their personal development. And of course the diversity of our industry. All this so that the guest is ultimately as happy as possible with us.

For your guests, the Gutshaus Stolpe is a jewel on the Peene, in a dreamlike secluded location, surrounded by the most beautiful nature. What do you personally love about this hotel? What does Gutshaus Stolpe have that other hotels at this level don't?
We have a natural warmth here at the Gutshaus that I have never felt anywhere else. You feel more relaxed as soon as you drive up the avenue to the manor house. Another point is the incredible silence in the vastness of our parkland. There is no hustle and bustle here.
The tasks of a hotel manager are varied and certainly challenging at times. Is there a particularly nice event here at the hotel that you particularly like to remember?
It's difficult to single out one event, as I've had so many wonderful moments during my time here in Stolpe, all of which are very different. Whether it's a bride and groom getting married here and leaving happy or a restaurant guest praising our fantastic cuisine - or watching the staff interact with our guests in a warm and natural way.

How would you describe yourself as a hotel manager? Do you seek contact with your guests or do you tend to keep a low profile?
Well, first of all, I would say that I am a very relaxed person who is difficult to upset. I like to be close to my guests, but not someone who has to take centre stage, as I know that our guests are at least as well looked after by my staff as they are by me.
In your experience, what is the most important quality that a hotel manager must possess?
Passion. But I think that applies to every profession. If the work doesn't feel like work, then you've done a lot right in your choice of career.
How many employees do you have - and how many guests can you accommodate?
We have around 40 employees and can accommodate around 75 hotel guests.


One of the newer members of staff is Mehmet Kaan Verdo, your head chef. He stands for the new culinary concept of the restaurant. Can you please explain this a little?
Yes, I am very happy that Mehmet has found his way to us in Stolpe, as I am more than convinced by his way of cooking. Mehmet also has a knack for managing staff and inspiring them for the job. The cuisine has to fit in with the Gutshaus, which means it has to be of a high standard, but at the same time uncomplicated and not overly cerebral. We attach great importance to regionality and sustainability. In addition, this year we want to work even more closely with regional producers and focus on our own products.




The Gutshaus Stolpe is the first address for enjoyment and relaxation. But if I do want to go on a day trip, what destination can you recommend?
The nearby Baltic Sea coast is certainly great for a day trip and always worth a visit. But I personally like to go to the Anklamer Stadtbruch to simply go for a walk with my dog and enjoy the beautiful nature.
One last question, Mr Johnston: what is your favourite spot on the estate?
This is probably the most difficult question of all, but if I have to choose, it would be our own jetty on the banks of the Peene. It's simply magical to sit here for a moment and watch the Peene and nature.

YOUR HOSTS AT GUTSHAUS STOLPE
You can contact Jonas Mairhofer at www.gutshaus-stolpe.de or by e-mail at info@gutshaus-stolpe.de.
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