John Gardner

Founding Partner & CEO

John is a well-seasoned and passionate 5 star hotelier experienced in general management, cluster management of multiple properties, pre-openings, renovations as well as asset management.

He started his hospitality career in his native New Zealand where he opened and operated a number of restaurants before moving to Australia and had a change of direction into hotels joining the Accor group in the early 90’s, managing several properties around the country before transferring up to Thailand as the start of his career throughout Asia. John has managed a number of different Accor brands such as Novotel, Grand Mercure and Sofitel in other Asian countries of Indonesia, Singapore and Cambodia before moving to China. During his time in there, he joined IHG opening a Crown Plaza in Shenzhen and an InterContinental in Chongqing.

In 2007 John moved to Vietnam and joined the iconic Caravelle Saigon as General Manager then later as General Director of the JV owning company. Under his stewardship, the Caravelle undertook a full renovation of the property and has received numerous industry, environmental, compliance and service awards. John has an excellent understanding of 5 star brand standards and operations including marketing and finance.

Towards the end of 2021, John left the Caravelle Saigon to set up Optimum Hospitality, a hotel asset management, consultancy and independent hotel management company. This new venture has expanded to Indonesia, Cambodia and Laos and offers a full suite of hotel consultancy services including “white label” hotel  management of either franchised hotels or owners own branded hotels.

John is well versed in project management, experience gained during many pre-openings and renovations throughout his career. During his nearly 20 years of working and living in Vietnam, being on the board of the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce Vietnam and being involved in many charity and social events, John has built up an extensive network within the country both in the hospitality industry and the community at large.