Margareth Henriquez, President & CEO, Krug

Christopher Georges, President & COO, Bentley Motors Inc

Joe F. Foggia, President, Christensen Shipyards Ltd.

"Even though Four Seasons Hotel and Ritz-Carlton Hotel are both great brands, luxury has changed since the inception of those brands", said Horst Schulze, president and CEO of West Paces Hotel Group, the parent company of Capella Hotels and Resorts.

"Twenty-five or 30 years ago, luxury used to be a big lobby with a glass elevator," Schulze said. "Luxury isn't about the number of chandeliers in the lobby. Top travelers want privacy, personal service and to be connected to the culture around them. They don't want to be part of a large group (i.e., conventions) that controls their stay. It's amazing how we change. Thirty years ago, we determined the product. Now, the guest determines the product."

Potter concurred, saying a five-star setting is delivering what customers want instead of what a hotel decides it's going to provide.

"Just make sure you have the best bed in the world," he said.

It's clear everyone is suffering across the board, and luxury hotels are no different, said Milton Pedraza, CEO of The Luxury Institute, citing occupancy in the high 50s to low 60s.

"And you can't make money with that kind of occupancy," he said.

Many hotels are cutting costs, such as the number of employees, but it's risky because if customer service slips, reputations will suffer.

"Some hotels have to cut back, but they need to do it with a scalpel instead of a hatchet," Pedraza said. "It's a huge risk. I'm hearing a lot more about it-cutting back on personnel, training and the quality of employees.

"[Hotels should] ...enhance the people and the service instead".

From HotelNewsNow.com May 26, 2009

Here is a fascinating blog article on the state of the luxury market:

Luxury Market Blog

Red wine stain removal is always stressful even at the best of times.  In Housekeeping 101 our Executive Housekeeping Teacher Ms. Bonnie Aprile teaches student Ms. Susan Purdy three natural stain removal techniques for this specific stain, do you know what they are?

1. Salt & Club Soda
2. Baking Soda & Vinegar
3. Lemon Juice
   

The art of stain removal is something that every employee will have to deal with both in their personal home and their employer's home.  The art of stain removal is first to never panic, second know what the stain is, there is no such thing as an all purpose all in one magic trick to removing stains and third be patient and use natural cleaning products first without harsh chemicals.

Well after getting numerous requests from clients, students and graduates we decided to open a Twitter account.  Now you can follow what is happening right on line with the going ons of a professional butler school.  We hope to see you and look forward to following your tweets too!

You can find us easily with this Twitter Blog Link or follow us @butlerschool if you already have an account

Today we would like to highlight our Placement practice that offers premium search and recruiting services within the luxury residential and hospitality markets.  We specialize in the placement of key personnel positions like Estate & House Managers, Butlers, Private Chefs, Executive Housekeepers, Chauffeurs and more.

Toronto:
507 King Street East
Suite 100
Toronto, Ontario, M5A 1M3
CANADA

(416) 369-1146 office
(416) 369-1743 facsimile

New York:
134 West 82 Street
Suite 3B
New York, New York 10024
United States

(212) 877-6962 office
(917) 441-0064 facsimile

Housekeeping 101 (2 days)
One of the most important classes begins with a lecture on understanding the importance of light, temperature and humidity and how it affects the household and furnishings.  Additionally the class covers dealing with spills, safe cleaning techniques, tools, reviewing different surfaces, furniture pieces and how to correctly clean a room, bed making and including turn down service.

Housekeeping 201 (3 days)
Hands on classes learning to correctly clean bathrooms, bedrooms, how to appoint guest rooms, guest bathrooms and then all of the different methods of suitcase packing and unpacking from clothing, make-up, shoes and dealing with dirty items and finally long term clothing storage.

Laundry 101 (3 Days) Understanding the laundry symbols chart, how to correctly use a washer and dryer, preparing clothes for the wash, dealing with stains, ironing, folding of laundry and linens, using a mangle machine correctly, steaming ball gowns, mending buttons dealing with dry cleaning and dying dark clothes.  All of this and more is done in our Miele Sponsored Laundry facility at our Academy, the only one of its kind in the world!

Butler Skills 101 (1 Day)
A professional butler teaches butler traits, code of ethics and then traditional items such as ironing a newspaper, answering the door, making coffee, making tea, dealing with different kinds of coffee such as espresso, cappuccino, latté etc. and finally setting the perfect fireplace.

Butler Skills 201 (1 Day)
This class goes to the next level of service including tray service how butlers manage household and difficult situations within the household and dealing with employer demands.

Household Management 101 (2 days) This class delves into the business aspects of household management beginning with abbreviations of the industry, managing household inventories, procedures, manuals, petty cash, and general best practices for a successful over-all household management structure. Know your target audience. Who are your most important clients or prospects, and why?

Household Management 201 (2 Days) This advanced level covers household management issues at the highest level. Attention will be paid to managing large-scale estates and families with multiple properties, large numbers of staff and guests and family members with high profiles. Common problems and issues one typically encounters will be addressed.

Mechanicals 101 (1 Day)
An expert from the service industry assist students to understand complexities of a modern household's operating systems and the need for engaging the right professionals to ensure that the systems run properly.