With hotels including One Aldwych and the Dukes in London in his portfolio, GORDON CAMPBELL GRAY, chairman of Campbell Gray Hotels, enthused to SHALU CHANDRAN about his newest property, the Le Gray, in Beirut, Lebanon
What brings you to the Middle East?
We have just opened our property Le Gray, Beirut, and I am exceptionally passionate about it. It’s my favourite place in the world and I am quite stunned at how well the hotel has been received. I get very involved in the design and concept of the hotel and I don’t like modern and trendy, but do like sleek and modern classic.
I was also in Doha recently, where we were asked to do something, but don’t think it’s something that we will pursue. I am not ambitious to roll out a formula and I like to call each of my hotels a masterpiece in my way.
Why the decision to open in Beirut?
I had visited Beirut 11 years ago when the city was in pretty bad shape and all bombed-out. But when I decided to open a property here, it was almost an instant decision. I could see that Beirut had gone through a renaissance period and was looking amazing. I could see that its future would be interesting. I could see that it wasn’t a new destination but an old one being reborn.
The spirit, the authenticity is spectacularly positive. I had a great sense of confidence that it would come right – but it wasn’t easy as our two-and-a-half-year project turned to four-and-a-half!
We have been very lucky because we’re now open and the city is settled – the government and cabinet in place. We have plans to develop another beach resort in Beirut and ultimately probably do one more in the mountains for skiing enthusiasts. I am very committed to Lebanon and am its biggest fan. It’s very safe, with an edge.
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The contemporary reception |
How will these properties be different from one another?
Our properties will be like cousins. No two Campbell Gray hotels look the same but you can feel the relationship. Our resort in the Caribbean is completely different to the Dukes in London, which is a traditional hotel. The seaside property will be very sleek in design.
How can a guest relate to the Campbell Gray hotel?
When we opened in the Caribbean, 65 per cent of the guests were repeat guests in the first year. To me it is about training and motivating and giving inspiration to the staff. I have a very strong philanthropic arm. For me it’s all about creating sensitive quality. I always create an induction where I see all the new members. We are all equal human beings with different responsibilities. I make sure everybody in the team feels equally respected. If you want a successful business, love your staff. A company which is only there to make money isn’t a proper one.
The Le Gray Hotel has been built to service, principally, inter-Middle Eastern clientele. We expect to bring a new layer of travellers from around the world. People, who never thought they would come, didn’t think it was safe. Guests who know and relate to our hotels have a new city to visit and a new hotel to stay in.
You are very passionate about the environment. How much of this is enforced in your properties?
Yes. We are building a green team at the Le Gray Hotel in Beirut. The new generation of guests coming in cares about the environment. We have the team analyse every department, I hate waste. Luxury and extravaganza is one thing and waste is another. I think it’s wicked. I am a true Scot and do not appreciate any form of excess, probably the reason why Dubai is a destination I am personally not comfortable with. We are constantly being asked to undertake new projects. For me the criteria are location and finding the right partner.
Our One Aldwych hotel was recently awarded The Green Hotel of the Year award.
Are you looking for further opportunities in the region?
There are quite a few exciting projects that we are working on right now and will make an announcement on soon. I don’t believe big is beautiful. I believe in developing this very controlled, quality-driven small company where each hotel is something to be truly proud of. We are a niché brand and will never go beyond 12 to 15 hotels. Oman is a destination I love and think it would be quite appealing to create a beautiful hotel there.
How have your hotels performed during the global recession?
Beirut is a unique destination and one of the few places which was not really affected by the recession. Everybody warned me from investing in the Middle East but I was persistent because of my love for the city. London remained busy. It did get challenging in between but that was very short-lived. I think our smallness and haute-couture styles have meant guests stay with us. In the Caribbean we suffered a little but came out pretty well. I don’t get influenced by others and try not to be distracted by industry trends. We have always stayed slightly ahead without being flashy or ostentatious, always been environmentally conservative and quite in tune with the changing world. I would like my company to be recognised as an intelligent company.
What is your idea of a perfect holiday destination?
Two things. It would either be a long, white sandy beach, palm trees and a pile of books and absolutely no BlackBerry or I also like to get adventurous and discover a new place.
The Falkland Islands is a favourite with its wildlife. When I travel I don’t want to make any new friends. I want seclusion. Solitude is something I crave.