The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort, Bahamas

Four Seasons Tenure

• Since 2005
• First Four Seasons Assignment: Server, Four Seasons Resort Hampshire

Employment History

• Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail; Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco; Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler; Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai; Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, Thailand; Four Seasons Hotel London at Canary Wharf (formerly a Four Seasons hotel); Four Seasons Hotel Miami; Four Seasons Resort Hampshire

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Hotel Management from CETT University of Barcelona in Spain, as well as a degree in Nutrition and Wellbeing from The University of Aberdeen in Great Britain

Birthplace

• Barcelona, Spain

Languages Spoken

• English, Spanish, Catalan, German, French, Italian

One could say Jose Ortiz’s first day on the job at The Ocean Club started with a bang. His inaugural day was the kickoff of the Resort’s 60th anniversary festivities - a three-day weekend affair that started with a Friday night James Bond-theme celebration, paying homage to the Resort’s appearance in the 2006 blockbuster hit Casino Royale. Day two consisted of an over-the-top gala complete with synchronized swimmers, a live band, Bahamian Junkanoo, and even fireworks, while day three culminated in a lavish brunch at the Resort’s oceanfront restaurant, DUNE By Jean-Georges.

I thought, “is every day going to be like this?” laughs Ortiz, who will never forget his first few days as Resort Manager at The Ocean Club.

Ortiz traded his snow boots for sandals to move to the island, leaving the slope side Four Seasons Resort Vail, where he previously served as Resort Manager. “I was excited to come be a part of an intimate island property,” he notes. “The island lifestyle is hard to beat.”

While serving as Resort Manager in Vail, Ortiz oversaw the Resort’s 121-room operation, plus the Residence Club component. With The Ocean Club’s 107-rooms, the property is similar in scope, just with the turquoise ocean as its main playground, instead of the mountains.  “When guests come to The Ocean Club, it’s mostly for beachside relaxation,” Ortiz notes.

Ortiz joined Four Seasons in January 2005 as a server at the Hampshire property in the United Kingdom, hired while he was still finishing his university courses. He has worked in various roles, advancing in his career along the way, from Restaurant Supervisor to Restaurant and Bar Manager to Assistant Food and Beverage Director. He served as Director of Food and Beverage at Four Seasons Resort Whistler, and at Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco, before being promoted to Resort Manager at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail.

Hospitality runs in his family, as his aunt and uncle owned a bed and breakfast in Spain, and he met his wife, Isabelle, while working for Four Seasons in London. Ortiz is proud that he’s worked for nine different properties throughout five countries and three continents, to date. He’s enjoying giving his twins, Luca and Sophia, a truly global upbringing, with travel as an important part of their lives. In his spare time, Ortiz loves mixology, experiencing new restaurants, and following soccer - “real football!,” he says, noting his favourite team is FC Barcelona.