It is Friday again, a fantastic week has passed, and have met some amazing hoteliers, out there doing everything they can to provide an exceptional destination for their guests and teams alike.
I thought I'd share a fun anecdote from my time in Hanoi, where we had to conduct a full clean-up following a storm that brought down several trees on the day before a wedding taking place on our grounds. In full combat gear, the team got involved in preparing the venue and clearing the debris, all for a memorable day. So, it is with a lighthearted mind, that I share a story that was shared with me many years ago. The title is The Hotelier.
A hotelier must be a diplomat, a democrat, an autocrat, an acrobat and a doormat. He must have the facility to entertain prime ministers, princes of industry, pickpockets, gamblers, bookmakers, pirates, philanthropies, popsies and prudes. He must be on both sides of the “political fence” and be able to jump the fence.
He should be or have been a footballer, golfer, bowler, tennis player, cricketer, dart player, sailor, pigeon fancier, motor racer and linguist as well as have a good knowledge of any other sport involving dice, cards, horses and billiards. This is also most useful, as he has sometimes to settle arguments and squabbles. He must be a qualified boxer, wrestler, weight-lifter, sprinter and peacemaker.
He must always look immaculate – when drinking with the ladies and gentlemen mentioned in the first paragraph, as well as hankers, swankers, theatricals, commercial travellers and company representatives even though he has just made peace between any of the two, four, six or more.
To be successful he must keep the bar full, the house full, the storeroom full, the wine cellar full, the customer full and not get full himself. He must have staff who are clean, honest, quick workers, quick thinkers, non-drinkers, mathematicians, and technicians and at all times to be on the boss’ side, customers’ side and stay on the outside of the bar.
To sum up: He must be outside, inside, offside, glorified, sanctified, crucified, stupefied, cross-eyed and if he’s not the strong, silent type there’s always Gin & Tonic...
Wishing all my fellow hoteliers an amazing weekend with your family and team.
Greetings from ⒺⓇⓅ
