Michael Branham

General Manager

"There is nothing more rewarding than to see the happiness that shines through the eyes of our guests when we were able to exceed their expectations."

Four Seasons Tenure

Since 1997
First Four Seasons Assignment: Director of Food and Beverage, Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta

Employment History

Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou At West Lake; Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai and Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle; Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay and Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan; Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi; Four Seasons Hotel Singapore; Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Chinzan-so (formerly a Four Seasons hotel); Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok (formerly a Four Seasons hotel); Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas; Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at The First Residence; Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta; Hyatt International, Germany

Education

Advanced management program with Berkeley/Nanyang University (San Francisco/Singapore); Diplom-Betriebswirt degree in Business Administration, majoring in Hotel and Restaurant Management, Universität München, Germany

Birthplace

Munich, Germany

Languages Spoken

German, English, Spanish, French, Indonesian, basic Japanese and some Chinese

Michael Branham’s career with Four Seasons started in 1997 in Jakarta. Since then he has been working in a variety of senior operational roles across Southeast Asia including Indonesia, Japan, Singapore and Thailand.

After two years in Jakarta as Director of Food and Beverage, during which time he also supported the re-opening of Four Seasons Hotel Sydney, Branham moved to the former Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok and in the position of Regional Director of Food and Beverage in 1999. In Bangkok, he started the first World Gourmet Festival at the hotel, which grew into a widely popular event in the city.

Branham was promoted in 2002 to Hotel Manager at the former Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Chinzan-So and three years later, he continued his career at Four Seasons Hotel Singapore. These positions allowed him to use his thorough and creative approach to establish and improve the services in both properties. Branham’s first General Manager posting took him back to Japan at Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi in 2007 where he remained until 2011.

Branham’s next move took him to the magical island of Bali, overseeing two properties, Four Seasons Resort Jimbaran Bay and Four Seasons Resort Sayan. During his tenure as a General Manager in Bali, Branham worked hard to complete several renovation projects along with the opening of the Sundara beach club. Shortly after its opening in 2013, the beach club was listed among the top 50 beach bars in the world by CNN.

Returning to Thailand the second time, Branham is based in Chiang Mai to be the General Manager of both Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai and Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle.

Branham still remembers his first interview many years ago at Four Seasons with Alfons Konrad, then the Corporate Vice President of Food and Beverage. “Alfons sold me on Four Seasons by describing to me the five-star ambience of the properties and the great lengths the company would go to create a memorable guest experience,” he recalled. “I knew then this is where I belong.”

During his 6 years as General Manager at Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou, Branham fully appreciated the charm of Jiangnan in China and led the team to polish these unique cultural experiences into guests’ travel itinerary, such as hikes into the Longjin tea hills, bike rides through the wetland areas, the silk, tea and scissor museums, leaving unforgettable Jiangnan experiences for guests.

In 2024, joining newly opened Four Seasons Hotel Suzhou marks another exciting new chapter for him in China. Branham considers this hotel as a “treasure island - the longer you stay here, the more you will fancy it. As it possesses everything one desires for a vacation and can fulfill the needs of all family members.” Suzhou is renowned for its rich history, cultural heritage and UNESCO World Heritage-listed classical gardens. This picturesque city is an important tourist destination that attracts visitors from all over the world. “Suzhou is also close to Shanghai, featuring a prosperous market and global connectivity, making it an ideal location for our distinguished guests.” With Branham’s unique experience in luxury resorts, the classic Four Seasons hospitality concept, and respect for local culture, he will lead the Four Seasons Suzhou team to create an extraordinary immersive experience for guests from all over the world.

Branham’s strive of excellence in all aspects of management as well as his keen sense of curiosity to learn about different cultures – coupled with his love of good food and fine wine - remain his inspirations.

Branham is an avid outdoor sportsman, taking time to run, hike, cycle and ski, all of which he best enjoys with his two sons. Along with being a Renaissance man, Branham is also known for his silky-smooth voice and has been recognized as the “Best Singer” among Four Seasons General Managers by winning the coveted Four Seasons Golden Microphone Award!

Sharing his passion and journey are his wife, Renata and their two sons, Daniel and Benjamin.