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The man behind the new Grand Bohemian

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Photo by Madoline Markham.

Thomas Hoffmann grew up in Germany, spent the last two years in Bangkok and has managed luxury hotels in six countries over 14 years. Now he’s making his home in Mountain Brook.

As the new Grand Bohemian’s general manager, he’s been busy preparing for the hotel’s opening next month. 

“We wanted to make sure we launch with an emphasis on customer experience,” he said. 

Hoffmann managed Four Seasons hotels for 14 of the 20 years he has worked in the industry, so he said his experience was a good fit for Kessler Collections’ new luxury boutique hotel, the first of its kind in Birmingham. 

“Their innovative ideas really appealed to me,” he said. “Every hotel is different.”

Hoffmann, who has a culinary degree, also noted the strong food and beverage component of the hotel with its restaurant, cooking school and wine blending room. He has been working with Kessler to finalize the restaurant concept and select the best chef for the job.

“We want to get a good chef for this foodie city,” he said. 

In addition to the food, he also said they want the community to come enjoy the spa and art gallery, a freestanding building that can also host events for up to 50. The ballroom will seat up to 400 people without a stage, and the cooking school and private dining room can also be booked for events. 

“We have already had inquiries and booked a wedding and fundraising events,” he said. 

The interior design of the hotel will feature whimsical botanicals inspired by neighbors Birmingham Zoo and Birmingham Botanical Gardens, as well as elements inspired by the state’s auto industry and nearby Barber Motorsports Park. 

Hoffman met his wife, Meredith, in Atlanta in 1997, and while they have enjoyed the chance to travel the world, they have been wanting to move back to the South with their three children to be near her hometown in Georgia. Hoffmann said he is enjoying how accessible Birmingham is.

“You can be anywhere in 15 minutes, and I am seeing how everyone is excited about the food scene,” he said. “I have heard it called the Portland of the South, and I can see it. We want to grow some roots here.”

What to expect from the Grand Bohemian

Editor's note: This article was updated on Oct. 27, 2017 to correct the spelling of Thomas Hoffmann's name. 

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