What happens when a hotel closes for refurbishment? Geoffrey Gelardi, managing director of London’s iconic 93-room The Lanesborough, is finding out.
Prior to the shutting down on December 20, 2013, one key concern was placating regular guests, and individually introducing them to competitive general managers. He also had the sad task of letting go nearly all of his 310 team members. Temporary offices needed to be found for management.
Furnishings and fittings then had to be sorted, catalogued and auctioned, raising over £1.3 million (US$2 million).
As months passed, he has also had to extend his patience levels. The Abu Dhabi-funded multi-million spend, which involves stripping down to foundations, was to be finished November 2014. “But here we are. I just wish it was not taking so long,” he said with a sigh, handing water in precariously-delicate stemmed cut-glass crystal.
Some delay is from English Heritage, checking to make sure the 1825 exterior is un-altered.
Mainly, time is required for the complexity of the new look, which designer Linda Pinto has inherited from plans made by her late brother Alberto Pinto. Most rooms now have new moulded ceilings, some with six-process gold leaf added (one ceiling currently has at least 500 numbered, colored post-its attached, each indicating a flaw that needs remedying). Some woodwork requires elaborate stenciling.
Gelardi keeps calm by hiring new staff, finalizing uniforms designed by ongoing Housekeeper Janet Bamford, and discussing chefs (not finalized).
Reopening, as Oetker Collection, should come in late June. “Their support is super.(CEO) Frank Marrenbach really understands ultra-luxury,” Gelardi added. “This feels like the early pioneering days of Rosewood.”
One lasting memory of the closure is Christmas 2014. “After 40 years of working Christmas and New Years, this year I cooked brine-marinated turkey and all the trimmings for a total of 22 family and friends,” Gelardi said.