Belmond appoints Tiago Sarmento as General Manager of Mount Nelson, a Belmond Hotel, Cape Town

Tiago brings nearly 20 years of hospitality experience to his new role. He first joined Belmond in 2016 as General Manager of Hotel das Cataratas where within a year he led the hotel to a Five Star ranking by the renowned Forbes Travel Guide, a first in South America.  Soon thereafter he moved on to lead the $121 million renovation and strategic opening of Cap Juluca on the Caribbean island of Anguilla.

With Tiago at the helm, Cap Juluca has quickly risen through the ranks, garnering numerous accolades including ‘Best Resort Hotel’ at the 2019 AHEAD Americas Awards, featuring in the Conde Nast Readers’ Choice Awards from 2017 to 2020 as well as Travel + Leisure’s 500 World’s Best Awards (2020), and many more.

Prior to joining Belmond, Tiago worked at a number of high-profile hotels & resorts, including his hotel manager role at The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort in Puerto Rico (another Forbes Travel Guide Five Star accredited property) and General Manager at the former W Vieques.

Robert Koren, Senior Vice President, Europe, Middle East & Africa, said of the appointment: “Tiago is a natural leader whose infectious enthusiasm and passion for hospitality inspire those he works with. His ability to translate the brand’s strategy into service elements, with a unique local touch, has led to the success of Cap Juluca. The excellent work he has done has earned him recognition as ‘The Belmond Brand Ambassador’ in 2019. We are delighted to have him join the iconic Mount Nelson, where his leadership skills will bring the hotel into a new and exciting chapter.”

A Portuguese national, Tiago is multilingual and speaks English, Portuguese, Spanish and French. Tiago holds a degree in International Hospitality Management from Glion Hotel School.

Tiago said: “Cape Town has long been captivating visitors with its incredible positive energy, its beautiful light and its enchanting natural setting. Ever since the legendary Mount Nelson opened over 120 years ago, it has played an integral role in the fabric of the city of Cape Town. I am so excited to join the team of this iconic hotel and to welcome travellers who, as the world starts to reopen, have a renewed desire to explore the world, smiling again.”

Mount Nelson first opened its doors in March 1899 by Sir Donald Currie, owner of the Union-Castle Shipping Line, to provide lodging for its first-class passengers. To mark the end of the first world war in 1918, the hotel was painted pink to celebrate a new era of peace, hope and joy. Ever since, its iconic rose-colour glaze façade has gained worldwide fame for the fabled city of Cape Town. The hotel has hosted many dignitaries and celebrities such as Sir Winston Churchill, Lady Howe and Lady Randolph Churchill, the Prince of Wales (Prince Edward VIII), Nelson Mandela, Bobby Kennedy, John Lennon and the Dalai Lama.

For further information about Mount Nelson visit www.belmond.com