citizenM
Hybrid lifestyle hotel
160 rooms (Zurich)
144 rooms (Geneva)
consulting
implementation
2018–2020
Yes, the Swiss are very exacting – including when it comes to customs. This is important information for an international company that imports all its equipment from the Netherlands.
The Dutch hotel chain is considered a pioneer in digitalization. We had the privilege of helping them set up their first Swiss luxury hybrid hotels in Zurich and Geneva. In close collaboration with the hotel departments, we ensured a seamless handover from the owner to the citizenM group and a smooth start to hotel operations. In order to avoid further delays in importing all the furniture from the Netherlands, we took over communication with customs authorities. Our customers particularly appreciated our pragmatism in solution-oriented construction management. Our expertise in Swiss building law and the local regional network were the icing on the cake. That’s service, Labro style.
citizenM’s processes vs. the Swiss Building Act, aka the SIA standard. Importing the hotel’s fixtures and fittings from the Netherlands caused all kinds of issues. For instance, two IT specialists were on standby for two days to commission 160 tablets that were stuck at customs. That’s where the really cool story begins – but it’s a long one. So let’s just say: we stepped in and everything turned out alright in the end. PS: We’re happy to share the details over coffee or a beer. Now that’s entertainment!
Unfortunately, the HQ planned the launch campaign with the portraits without taking into account the listed (double-glazed) windows. In each window, the picture had to be painstakingly fitted in the gap between the two panes of glass. The result: several lights were torn down and electric shutters broken, as some windows were not closed up again properly. But it all turned out OK at the big opening.