LAGNIAPPE
Scott Murray with his sons , Thomas and James , at a Formula 1 event
SCOTT MURRAY
GENERAL MANAGER , HAYMAN , HAYMAN ISLAND , AUSTRALIA
While crisscrossing continents as his career progressed , Scott Murray says his family has been his bedrock .
After working for hotels in Asia and Europe for years , Scott Murray returned to his native Australia at the end of 2012 to become general manager of the 209-room Hayman resort on the privately owned Hayman Island off the coast of Queensland . Murray , a graduate of The Hotel School Sydney , was previously hotel manager at One & Only Royal Mirage , Dubai . Now he has returned to his “ natural way ” of life .
What is the biggest difference between working in Dubai versus Australia ? The “ natural way ” of life in Australia . We are blessed here with just an abundance of natural beauty … and that ’ s not even taking into account Australians ’ natural and casual style of hospitality .
What is something most people do not know about you ? Back in the early 1990s , two good mates and I decided to walk the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea . We covered 120 km ( 74 mi ) in three days with little sleep , little food , pouring torrential rain and lots of leeches !
Who taught you your biggest lesson , and what was it ? Without a doubt , my father . He had little expressions like “ listen and you will be heard ,” “ never give up ” and — a very important one for the hotel world — “ two ears and one mouth .”
What do you wish you had more time for ? Travel . Travel brings continuous adventure and experiences that are priceless .
What was your most memorable stay at a hotel ? The Imperial , New Delhi . Absolute luxury , exemplary service and incredible history lining the corridors . A true oasis in the middle of a somewhat hectic and crazy city .
If you could fly off anywhere next week , where would you go ? Northern Spain . I ’ d visit San Vicente de la Barquera in Cantabria and then Galicia , the green corner of Spain , and on to the beaches there in Sanxenxo . Amazing food destination — you must try the pulpo á galega ( octopus ).
What is your hotel pet peeve ? Printed welcome cards . Come on , where ’ s the personal touch and care factor ?
If you could host any person — living or dead — at your hotel , who would it be ? From a business perspective definitely Richard Branson . On a personal level , “ The Boss ” — Bruce Springsteen . On a motivational front , the great U . S . football coach Vince Lombardi , as “ winning isn ’ t everything , it ’ s the only thing .”
What was the most embarrassing moment of your career ? I jumped in to assist the valet parkers with a crowd of onlookers on the porte-cochère in Dubai . I slid into the driver ’ s seat of the latest Lamborghini and had no idea how to turn the car on !
If you were not a hotelier , what would you be ? A travel writer getting there before the tourist masses .
72 HOTELS October 2013 www . hotelsmag . com