Anthony Campaniaris has the distinction of being one of the country’s youngest hoteliers. At 33, the Toronto native helms the recently opened The Anndore House in the city’s downtown core. Open just a little more than a month, the hotel is already generating buzz. The determined hotelier has been with the project for more than a year “seeing it through from brand creation, design and construction, to recruitment and talent selection, and of course, the dollars and cents,” he says. The 115-room hotel is steeped in history. “Originally opened in the 1950s as an apartment-style hotel, the property, located at Yonge & Charles, is reborn with a cheeky nod to its checkered history,” he says.
Developed on the basis of being an extension of a traveller’s own home, the “hotel’s rooms are thoughtfully designed and named after dwellings, with public spaces that reflect the key spaces in a person’s home,” says the rookie hotelier. The complement of 40 associates is required to know its neighbourhood and show guests how to do Toronto like a local. “Our team is diverse and shares different experiences in Toronto, which collectively can offer our guests unique ways to enjoy one of the world’s best cities.”
Campaniaris’ was exposed to the hotel world during his parents’ travels. “Being fortunate to have parents that travelled for work, I grew up with many winters and summers abroad in hotels and resorts.” After briefly considering becoming a paramedic, he one day ventured into the Park Hyatt Hotel in Toronto, looked around and thought to himself “this is where I want to be.”
His first job was at the Park Hyatt, where he worked as a spa concierge. “It was both daunting and exciting — working at the best spa in the city at one of the premier hotels.” There he learned the hotel business begins with people and success is based on trusting and empowering team members to deliver — on all levels — the best service to make the human connection and to create unforgettable moments for someone. It’s a lesson Campaniaris has carried with him throughout his career.
The hotelier is a big believer in providing top-notch customer service. “I can’t expect my team to deliver exceptional results unless I’m well versed on the job they’re performing. The phrase ‘teamwork makes the dream work’ is one of my favourites. I lead by that each day.”
To succeed, says the dapper GM, you need to understand the needs and wants of each individual. “The art of service allows the hotel to learn about its guests — anticipate their wants, not just their needs. No request is too large could not be more accurate than in this industry. It’s our job to deliver the art of service to each guest differently — the way they want and expect it.”
