21 February 2025 marks a very special milestone for Frederik Jelstrup, Hotel Manager at Comwell Bygholm Park and F&B Director at Comwell Hotels. He has been part of the Danish-owned hotel chain for a quarter of a century, and his journey in the group has been characterised by a desire to create change and a steadfast belief that when the hotel, employees and guests smile, everything comes together.
From waiter to Hotel Manager and F&B Director
Frederik's career at Comwell began as a waiter at Comwell Kolding back in 2000, and before that Frederik was self-employed with his own café on Zealand. In other words, here's a peek into the history of a man who has a great love for hospitality and excellent service experiences.
Frederik has held leading roles at several Comwell hotels, including as restaurant manager at Comwell Middelfart and later Comwell Kellers Park. He helped transform the latter hotel into a successful spa and conference hotel.
After many years first as a waiter and later restaurant manager, Frederik was given a new challenge; to become hotel manager at Comwell Kongebrogaarden, which is beautifully located with the first park overlooking the Little Belt: "It was a big dream come true for me," he says: "It was a change for me in many ways. Also on the leadership front. Now I suddenly had to “manage a hotel through managers”. Something I'm very comfortable with. Comwell's employees are our most important resource, and when they understand their role, we create a workplace where we thrive and guests get the best experience."
Today, Frederik not only holds the title of Hotel Manager for Comwell Bygholm Park. He is also F&B Director for Comwell's hotels and venues across the country. A role that helps ensure a consistent, high quality of food and beverage services in Comwell Hotels.
The smiling triangle
Frederik's approach to management and running a hotel is based on a triangle model, where employees, guests and the hotel itself represent each corner.
"All three elements must smile," says Frederik. "If they do, then I know we're doing the right thing. Sometimes we make a mess in one corner, but it often rubs off positively on the others," he emphasises.
Frederik is not shy about implementing new concepts, and he is also the man who wants to act quickly and efficiently on the ideas he gets: "This sometimes creates a bit of resistance among colleagues," he smiles. "Change takes time and resistance is a natural part of the process. But I stick with it if the idea makes sense for the bigger picture."
Among Frederik's many initiatives is Comwell's bottle-free concept, which has been implemented at several of the chain's hotels. A concept that saves Comwell and the environment significant amounts of CO2 and the equivalent of 700,000 aluminium bottles annually: "It's the small but important steps that make a difference - both for the environment and for the guest experience," says Frederik.
Part of something bigger
Today, Frederik is in charge of Comwell Bygholm Park, where he is once again creating a positive development. "The triangle must be balanced. The guests must be happy, the economy healthy, and my talented team must thrive. We're well on our way," says Frederik optimistically, who thrives on momentum: "I want to see that we do not stand still. I'm not so much into ordinary operations and maintenance. I want to see improvement and development," says the hotel manager.
For Frederik Jelstrup, Comwell is more than a workplace - it's a kind of family: "I know that many of us in the group feel that way. It's a pleasure to have the other hotels behind us. We support each other and help where we can. As a workplace, Comwell has given me a lot of freedom and trust over the years, and that creates huge motivation. My career is also proof of how many opportunities there are in our industry - I started as a waiter 25 years ago and now I'm here," Frederik concludes.
