to the style , the plates , glasses , drinks , experiences — everything .
H : What are some of the things you like about the hotel business ?
FCC : It is the same as any of these businesses I run . You give people a wonderful experience and a good time . It is very gratifying .
H : What luxury guest trends are you seeing ?
FCC : Upscale guests more and more prefer a small hotel . They don ’ t want to go to luxurious places of which there are a number and come down in the morning and walk into 150 suitcases of the last group of rich people who are about to leave . The trend is toward fewer rooms where a grandparent can take their family and buy the place out .
Palazzo Margherita was completely restored in collaboration with French designer Jacques Grange .
H : What does a luxury hotel experience mean to you ?
FCC : Attention to detail . I want a good-quality bed , beautiful linen and proper reading light . Just two lights on either side of the bed are not sufficient . It is hard to read a book , especially on a new device like a Kindle . You want a bath better than you have at home , and one that is thought through .
In the hotel business there are these clichés . All the bathrooms have to have two sinks , and it takes up all the counter space . No one thinks about the fact that when people travel they have toiletries and appliances they need to be put somewhere . And when you go in the shower there are dinky shelves with three plastic bottles taking up the space . Owners should stay in each room and attend to the details .
H : What have been some of your favorite hotel stays ?
FCC : I went to Hanoi recently and thought the Metropole was really beautiful . Of course , it has the benefit of wonderful history . But having that history is one thing ; you must capture that history and embrace it .
Orient-Express has some beautiful hotels . They are big , unfortunately . But you start to like the spectacular baths , and you can see the boss has stayed there and used it and sees what you need and don ’ t need .
H : Your hotels have a strong green component . What are your thoughts on eco-tourism ?
FCC : I am in the premium wine business , and it makes you more aware of how essential the purity of all the elements really are to grow the ultimate grape . You become conscious of all the disturbing practices that pollute the environment . When making a resort in a precious place , you don ’ t want to contaminate that place with all the unattractive aspects of tourism and leave in your wake all the bad environmental practices .
H : Is the luxury guest concerned about green hotel practices ?
FCC : Many are , and those who haven ’ t realized it yet are concerned and appreciative . They really do love the beauty and nature , that the food is wholesome , et cetera .
H : On what principals do you operate your hotels ?
FCC : When we formed this company years ago , we were asked about a mission statement . I sat around with my family and came up with authenticity , quality and pleasure , and we have adhered to that . I hate things that are not authentic . There is such a thing as pizza , and it does come from somewhere . There is a real Neapolitan way to make pizza , and it is a certain size and style , and you can make it 100 different ways . We believe in authenticity , the finest quality , which is sometimes very challenging , and ultimately the goal is to give the guest pleasure . H : What do your hotels say about you ? FCC : I don ’ t know if it says anything . It is a struggle for me as they try to name everything after me and
52 HOTELS July / August 2012 www . hotelsmag . com