Joie de Vivre Employee Review

Former Employee – worked at Joie de Vivre

Pros – A brand with so much potential to go so far founded on basic principles of good, smart hospitality. A company that values letting its employees be who they are and in turn reflecting the identity of the hotel they work for.

Cons – Over twenty years of successful leadership by Chip Conley and his team have come to an abrupt end. The culture of a company which was frequently recognized as the cornerstone of the success of Joie de Vivre is quickly being dismantled. New leadership is behind the times with Thompson's CEO at the helm. Industry reputation of the new CEO is nothing but negative in this close-knit industry of hospitality professionals.

The progressive attitudes that Chip brought to Joie de Vivre revolutionized the industry. Adopting from principles of profitable and successful established companies and having the daring vision and creativity of a fledgling technology upstart, new leadership doesn't believe in this model for success. Rather, leadership's first concern were that the staff weren't in a suit and tie. The first order of business was demanding business suits for all. No more calling each other by first name either - it's Mr. or Mrs. Such narrow-minded changes for a company with as much potential as Joie de Vivre were the best ideas yet to be offered. As a result, "Out with the new, in with the old" seems to be the way of thinking within the internal workings of the company.

Even hiring decisions are the lowest ranks must be approved by senior leadership who has never met the candidate but is known company-wide for their tirades about why they aren't good enough. Amidst these changes, never was a message given to the company at large about the strategy and direction of the brand. In fact, it doesn't seem that leadership knows what direction its heading in. What will become of the well-respected Joie de Vivre collection has yet to be seen. But one thing is certain - not even Chip himself knows anymore. He has effectively "checked out" of this Hotel California.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend