Q&A with one of the world’s top butlers
The chairman of the International Institute of Butlers provides an insider’s view of the profession.
Q: What’s the weirdest request you’ve ever received?
A: Sorry, not printable!
Q: What about the toughest request, and was it delivered successfully?
A: Requiring an elephant to be available in a suite to greet the lady guest upon her arrival— in London! It was provided, although I understand enticing it into the elevator was particularly challenging.
Q: If a request is made for something illegal, how do you handle it?
A: Without slapping the guest’s wrist, make it clear that one cannot assist and then change the subject, so they are not left with egg on their face.
Q: Define a butler?
A: A butler is a lady or gentleman who takes care of the details and organising the stay of guests and providing additional services that otherwise would not be available in a hotel or resort. The personalised services should all add up to the guests being wowed. Butlers greet guests upon arrival and show them around their suite/villa, offer to unpack their bags, and can make reservations or remind them of that evening’s reservation. They usually provide food and beverages in the suites/villas, arrange parties, breakfast in bed, picnics, coordinate the servicing of the suite when the guests are away, can provide luxury baths, provide a wake-up service, escort guests locally, take them shopping and and even play tennis if they need a partner.
Q: Is the profession declining or in demand?
A: Very much in demand thanks to burgeoning numbers of multi-millionaires and billionaires around the world, and such influences as the BBC series, Downton Abbey.
Q: You travel the world training butlers, where have you been recently in the Asia/ Pacific region?
A: In the Maldives, China, Thailand and Singapore. (Ferry was most recently at the Anantara Naladhu resort in the Maldives, which can be reached with an Air Niugini flight to Singapore and then a connection to Male.)
Q: What does the training involve and what are the key skills required?
A: Some classroom work to inculcate the rationale, mindset and communication skills of the butler; then demonstrating handson skills in the villas/suites and having the trainees practise until they have it. But being a butler is also a lifelong learning experience.
Q: Who makes the perfect butler?
A: Someone who genuinely cares about others, bringing pleasure into their lives and a smile to their face, and yet who has a tolerant attitude toward less-than-pleasant guests. ■
See anantara.com, naladhu.com, modernbutlers.com.