Tim Bilfinger Biography

Tim Bilfinger

Tim Bilfinger is the Cluster General Manager for One&Only’s two ultra-luxury resorts in Rwanda, One&Only Nyungwe House, located on a working tea plantation on the cusp of the ancient Nyungwe Forest, and One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, in the foothills of the Virunga Volcanoes range, home to wild mountain gorillas.

In his role, Tim is responsible for overseeing the operation of these exceptional, award-winning resorts that offer guests access to once-in-a-lifetime experiences in the wild. He works closely with the Resort Managers and Operational Teams to deliver an outstanding guest experience across all touchpoints, elevating the high standards of warm and intuitive service for which the brand is renowned, and curating inspiring and memorable moments.  Setting the strategic direction for how One&Only continues to evolve in Rwanda, Tim is responsible for the resorts’ sustainability and CSR programmes, ensuring that One&Only plays a meaningful and positive role in the local community. He is committed to leading and developing his team of colleagues, including many Rwandans employed from the local regions, and creating opportunities for them to progress. 

Tim joins Kerzner from his previous position as General Manager at Amanpulo in the Philippines, where he led the daily operation and long-term growth strategies at the 62-key resort. He has also held General Manager positions at Six Senses Zil Pasyon in the Seychelles, Nirjhara, an independent luxury boutique hotel in Bali, and Le Méridien Thimphu in Bhutan. Tim has dedicated his entire career to the hospitality industry, the greatest joy in his role is delivering everlasting memories in incredible location for guests, and he believes the key to success is building great teams and leading with creativity and innovation.

Born in Germany and educated in Switzerland, with a degree from the International School of Tourism in Zürich, Tim speaks his native German, as well as English, French, Dutch and basic Spanish. He is adventurous and embraces the challenge of living and working in remote and far-flung destinations. An avid trekker, and has traversed challenging routes including the Annapurna circuit, Everest Base Camp and Langtang Valley. In his spare time, Tim is often found pursuing thrilling outdoor activities, such as white-water rafting, mountain biking, sailing and stand up paddleboarding.