LAGNIAPPE
EDWARD
MADY
REGIONAL DIRECTOR , DORCHESTER COLLECTION , AND GENERAL MANAGER OF THE BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL , CALIFORNIA
Having spent almost 40 years in the luxury hotel business , Edward Mady has seen it all — including a US $ 15,000 wedding for two collies . The “ GM ’ s GM ” worked for the legendary Leona Helmsley , spent 20 years with Ritz-Carlton and in 2009 joined the Dorchester Collection — first at the New York Palace — and in 2011 he changed coasts taking over the iconic Pink Palace , The Beverly Hills Hotel . His responsibilities also include oversight of Hotel Bel-Air .
What is the biggest difference between working in Beverly Hills versus New York City ? The lifestyle out here , both personally and professionally , is so centered around your car . And now I , too , strategize about the best way to get from here to there with as little traffic as possible .
What is the strangest request you received from a guest ? We once had a guest who was breeding her show dog and had us arrange an actual wedding for the two collies , complete with a minister , catering , outfits , etc . They got married in the Crystal Ballroom ( she wore traditional white ), and they honeymooned in one of our garden suites , Bungalow 14 . Total cost was about US $ 15,000 .
We had another guest who didn ’ t like us to speak to his dog in English — instead he requested that we speak “ dog language ” to his dog . Some of us were literally “ barking ” at the dog to say hello .
What historical figure would you most like to host ? The late hotelier Leona Helmsley and her dog-heir , Trouble . We could talk about old times .
What is your most memorable hotel stay ? A recent visit to the Le Meurice in Paris was especially memorable . Le Meurice has a tremendous history , and the team does an outstanding job of bringing that history to life . In many ways , Le Meurice reminds me of The Beverly Hills Hotel , with its own colorful history .
What is your hotel pet peeve ? Over- or under-service . There ’ s a fine line between the two .
What is your favorite travel item ? That would be my dog , George . George is quiet , lowmaintenance and a great travel companion .
What is it that most people don ’ t know about you ? I have a baseball signed by the Dalai Lama . It is part of a collection of more than 300 baseballs , which I have had autographed by notable names over the years .
What would you like to have more time for ? I would love to be able to attend more New York Yankees games .
What is your favorite smartphone app ? There ’ s a sound machine app , which creates white noise and the sounds of rain and running water . It ’ s great for those who have trouble falling asleep .
If not a hotelier … ? I would be a university professor .
What do you want for your birthday ? Continued good health and peace of mind .
64 HOTELS March 2013 www . hotelsmag . com