Luc DelafosseTravel Daily catches up with Luc Delafosse, regional vice president Europe and general manager of Jumeirah Carlton Tower, London.
What does your role involve and how long have you held it?
I have just recently re-joined Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts in November 2017, having previously worked as the general manager of our flagship hotel, Burj Al Arab Jumeirah in Dubai.
I have a dual role here in London. As regional vice president for Europe, my role is to oversee the operations of our hotels in the region as well as evaluate new development opportunities. I am also the general manager of Jumeirah Carlton Tower, London.
What updates were there last year and what are your plans for 2018?
The discussion of a refurbishment at Jumeirah Carlton Tower is continuing as many factors have to be reviewed to ensure the final scope of work truly reflects the needs of our guests and delivers on our brand promise to Stay Different.
No final decision has yet been taken but an announcement will be made during the course of 2018. Whilst we prepare for the future, our focus will remain on the present and the guests we take care of today.
They deserve our unwavering attention as we continue to manage one of London’s leading luxury hotels. We will evolve our guest experience as it is through delivering imaginative and innovative experiences that keep our guests coming back, time and time again.
Describe the Jumeirah London hotels?
Jumeirah Carlton Tower has a pedigree that stretches back over fifty years. When it opened in 1961, it was London’s tallest hotel and it soon established itself as one of London’s leading luxury hotels.
It’s location in the heart of fashionable Knightsbridge, together with our award winning roof top The Peak Health Club and Spa and The Rib Room Bar and Restaurant makes Jumeirah Carlton Tower a modern icon.
In addition to Jumeirah Carlton Tower, we have two other properties in London, Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel in exclusive Belgravia and Grosvenor House Suites by Jumeirah Living, situated on Park Lane, Mayfair and outside the UK, Jumeirah Frankfurt hotel in the heart of Germany’s financial capital and a stunning contemporary resort on the Spanish island of Mallorca, Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel and Spa.
Where are most of your guests from - are they leisure or business customers?
Like most luxury London hotels, our guests hail from all across the globe. The world class shopping of Knightsbridge is renowned the world over and our location off Sloane Street means we are perfectly placed to attract an international clientele with the USA, continental Europe, Russia and the Gulf region being our main markets.
Any other announcements?
This year we are revitalising The Rib Room Bar and Restaurant. A bastion of British cuisine for over fifty years, our executive chef Simon Young’s new menu features classic dishes with the finest seasonal fayre from across the British Isles from trusted suppliers with impeccable provenance.
Our most popular dish remains our signature roast rib of Aberdeen Angus beef from Royal warrant holder Donald Russell, supplier to HM The Queen. Live music has also recently returned three evenings a week and we have recently re-introduced that timeless British tradition of Sunday roast lunches.
We also have exciting plans for Afternoon Tea in our ever popular Chinoiserie lounge, Knightsbridge’s favoured rendezvous spot, details of which we will be able to share in a few months.
