How Jumeirah GM in London
LAGNIAPPE
How Jumeirah GM in London
OVERCOMES UNCERTAINTY
By KATHAKALI NANDI
“ THE CONCEPT OF LUXURY IS EVER- EVOLVING AND SUBJECTIVE . I FEEL THERE MUST BE A RETURN TO THE BASICS OF HOSPITALITY IN ITS TRUEST SENSE , ESTABLISHING PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR GUESTS AND VISITORS , CREATIVE PERSONALISATION AND BEING ABLE TO OFFER A GENUINELY AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCE .”
– AARON KAUPP
When Aaron Kaupp joined as the general manager of The Carlton Tower Jumeirah in London in November 2019 , the landmark hotel was undergoing one of the most extensive renovations in its 60-year history . Several delays and over US $ 130 million worth of renovations later , the hotel reopened its doors late July . This , however , was a minor challenge for Kaupp , a veteran in leading luxury hotels across Europe . The real challenge , he says , was the uncertainty over the future and planning at a time when circumstances have a fast-moving , direct effect on the industry . The
Carlton Tower Jumeirah reopens at a time when hotels , especially luxury hotels , are still finding it difficult to drive revenue . Kaupp remains hopeful of the hotel ’ s key grounding in the Middle East , loyal customers and on the domestic market . With prior leadership roles in Le Royal Monceau , Raffles Paris and Belmond Villa San Michele in Florence , Kaupp has worked closely with Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani as part of the opening team of the Armani Hotel in Milan , and won the Luxury Travel Advisor ’ s ‘ Best General Manager of a Luxury Hotel / Resort Worldwide .’
HOTELS : The Carlton Tower Jumeirah opened after almost two years of extensive renovations . What was the biggest challenge you faced during this time , especially amid the pandemic ? AARON KAUPP : There have been many practical considerations that have affected our timeline , with construction slowing at times , supply chains affected , and new safety protocols put in place on site . However , I would say the biggest challenge was simply the uncertainty over the future , and the difficulty of planning in a time where circumstances that directly affect the industry move so fast .
128 hotelsmag . com November / December 2021