Luxury in Action
Going to see the behind the scenes tour of The Savoy was something I didn’t know I needed. It was something that was very overwhelmingly beautiful and had so much history that pertains to English History, Celebrity/Popular Culture, and influenced so much about the Hospitality Industry. There were so many notable names in each of these fields that left their mark that we spoke about.
This tour showed the luxurious elements within the Hotel. There were lavish materials, ornate furniture, and expensive attractions within the hotel like the spa and other accommodations. However, to me that is not where the luxury comes in. The luxury that your paying for in my eyes was the service, the attention to detail, and the “avant-gardeness” of it all. It was such a unique experience and you can tell the amount of hard work that goes into running such an establishment, from our tour guide, the GM, and the chefs we got to meet. You can tell it is a well-oiled machine that operates to meet guests needs and expectation.
Guest Experience vs Operational Reality
The staff works really hard to make the stay as enjoyable as possible. While there was a lot going on the particular day we went, they still did their absolute best to make us comfortable and tend to our needs and we weren’t even staying on the premises. They take care of the food and ensure its up to their standards, help guests with their items, and ensure their rooms are clean and in order.
The main issue I saw was the space. There did not seem to be enough space to be extremely comfortable. This is something that I have noticed with the UK as a whole, everything is very close quarters and I imagine it makes things a lot more difficult for service industry workers.
Design and Culture
The Victoria and Albert Museum was astounding. Many of the pieces there combined luxury and vanity mixed with functionality and purpose which is a key theme when it comes to luxury hospitality spaces. When you mix history with these precious jewels, clothing, and furniture, you are now providing a luxury experience. It is a piece of culture as well as an immersive experience.
Both luxury branding and cultural story telling are both deep rooted in history and narrative. There is a sense of pride in that and sharing that brings tourism and allows for more people to be aware of the history and learn about the significance.
Industry Takeaway
The practice that I have held onto and will always hold on to is that treating people with respect and care is the best way to make someone feel safe and comfortable. That is my goal in life is to make people feel good and comfortable when around me. I love how I am with people and I know how hard I try with my relationships and interactions with strangers.