Silvia Rajniak, General Manager of Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City Accra, brings more than 16 years of experience with the Kempinski family across Europe and Africa. Having previously served as Hotel Manager at the Accra property, her return as its first female General Manager marks a significant new chapter for one of Ghana’s leading luxury hotels.

Located in the heart of Accra, Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City combines European luxury hospitality with the warmth, culture and traditions of Ghana. With 269 rooms and suites, extensive event facilities and a growing culinary offering, the hotel continues to strengthen its position as a leading luxury destination in West Africa.

In this exclusive interview with International Real Estate and Hospitality Magazine, Silvia Rajniak reflects on her hospitality journey, her leadership philosophy and her return to Accra. She also discusses the evolving expectations of luxury travellers, the hotel’s approach to sustainability and responsible hospitality, talent development and her vision for establishing Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City Accra as an icon of modern luxury in West Africa.

IRHM: Could you tell us about your journey in hospitality and the experiences that have shaped your leadership approach?

Silvia Rajniak: My journey with European luxury hospitality spans over 16 years with the Kempinski family. I started in 2009 as a Personal Assistant to the General Manager and People Training Manager in Slovakia. Over the years, I had the privilege of holding key leadership and operational positions across diverse markets including Germany, Latvia, Hungary, and Egypt. Returning to Accra as the property’s first female General Manager is a true full-circle moment, having previously served here as Hotel Manager.

These experiences across Europe and Africa taught me that luxury hospitality is ultimately about people. My leadership style centres on empowerment, mentorship and continuous learning, fostering a supportive environment where team members feel confident delivering intuitive, world-class service.

IRHM: What attracted you to the opportunity to lead Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City Accra and what were your priorities when you first took on the role?

Silvia Rajniak: Ghana has always felt like home to me, and this property is deeply close to my heart. What drew me back was the incredible energy of Accra and the hotel’s position as a vibrant cultural and commercial benchmark in West Africa.

When I took on the General Manager role, my immediate priorities were twofold: elevating our guest experience to unprecedented heights of luxury and celebrating our hotel’s key milestones alongside our local community and stakeholders. That meant sharpening our service standards while deepening our connection to the culture and people of Accra.

IRHM: How would you describe the hotel’s position within Accra’s luxury hospitality market and what distinguishes it from its competitors?

Silvia Rajniak: We are proud to stand as Ghana’s leading 5-star luxury property, offering 269 rooms and suites in the heart of downtown Accra, steps away from the State House and the Accra International Conference Centre.

What sets us apart is our seamless integration of European luxury heritage, backed by Kempinski’s 125+ year legacy, with the authentic warmth and rich traditions of Ghanaian hospitality. From our expansive, secure event spaces to our innovative culinary outlets like Papillion Restaurant and ASANA Bar & Kitchen, we offer a complete lifestyle destination. Furthermore, our commitment to supporting local arts, like our collaboration with Gallery 1957, ensures that guests experience the vibrant soul of contemporary Africa under our roof.

IRHM: What changes are you seeing in the expectations and preferences of today’s luxury traveller and how is the hotel responding? 

Silvia Rajniak: Today’s luxury travellers, whether business executives, diplomats, or leisure guests, are looking for high personalisation and authenticity rather than transactional luxury. They want spaces that feel like a home away from home while offering a sense of place.

We respond by continually evolving our offerings. For instance, we launched our new Asian-fusion concept, ASANA Bar & Kitchen, to cater to global culinary palates. Beyond dining, we curate hyper-tailored guest journeys, seamlessly blending robust digital conveniences with warm, human-centric service touchpoints.

IRHM: As General Manager, how do you balance delivering exceptional guest experiences with strong operational and commercial performance? 

Silvia Rajniak: Guest satisfaction and strong financial performance are not opposing forces; they drive each other. Exceptional service creates loyalty and high guest satisfaction directly powers our occupancy levels and premium positioning.

To maintain this balance, we rely on operational agility, rigorous training and clear performance indicators. By streamlining internal processes and empowering our staff to solve challenges proactively, we protect our operational margins without ever compromising on the unyielding luxury standards our guests expect.

IRHM: What initiatives are currently being implemented at the hotel around sustainability, innovation and responsible hospitality? 

Silvia Rajniak: Responsible hospitality is core to our strategy. Through initiatives like our community-focused “10 Acts of Kindness” program, we actively give back to the communities that sustain us.

On the environmental front, we focus on energy efficiency, reducing single-use plastics and responsible waste management across all operations. Additionally, we actively champion local supply chains, sourcing fresh produce and artisanal goods from Ghanaian suppliers to minimise our carbon footprint while supporting the domestic economy.

IRHM: Talent is central to the success of any luxury hotel. How do you build a strong team culture and develop the next generation of hospitality professionals? 

Silvia Rajniak: Building a strong culture requires investing in people long-term. Having spent years in training and people development roles early in my career, talent development is personal to me.

At Kempinski Accra, we combine global luxury training standards with structured mentorship. We focus heavily on internal mobility, identifying local talent and creating clear pathways for young Ghanaian professionals to rise into senior leadership roles. When your team feels valued and equipped to grow, that passion naturally translates into extraordinary guest care.

IRHM: Looking ahead, what are your key ambitions for Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City Accra and what would you like to achieve during the next chapter of your leadership?

Silvia Rajniak: Looking forward, my ambition is to build on our decade-long foundation of excellence and establish Kempinski Gold Coast City as the undisputed icon of modern luxury in West Africa.

We will continue innovating our guest experiences, expanding our culinary landscape and leading the way in sustainable luxury practices. Above all, success in this next chapter means leaving a lasting legacy: cementing Accra as a top global destination while continuing to nurture a world-class, empowered Ghanaian workforce.