Q&A Stephen Brandman
Q&A Stephen Brandman
CEO, Co-owner Journal Hotels
As co-founder of Thompson Hotels, along with Larry, Michael, and Jason Pomeranc, Stephen Brandman developed a boutique hotel group that was known for dishing up contemporary chic luxury in urban settings. His new venture, Journal Hotels is about going beyond brand.
Brandman began his shiny career at InterContinental Hotels and Resorts where he was general manager of InterContinental Central Park South, New York. in the end he spent 16 years with the group and as well as spearheading over $300 million in renovation projects he also ensured the quality and standards for all of the 150 InterContinental Hotels worldwide.
Here he tells The Luxury Travel Bible the philosophy behind Journal Hotels.
In the hotel world, often there is a lot of ego involved. I don’t want to do that. I want a property that the hotel owner wants to put forward and wants to be proud of. I work with hotel owners to find out what their goals are and what their desires are. Then I help curate and operate and develop the right experience. I think that’s something that’s not really being done in this industry.”
What is the single best/defining thing about Journal Hotels?
This time around, what I am really trying to do is I’m not necessarily trying to create a brand,” Brandman said. “What I am trying to do is create a collection of lifestyle hotels.
Tell us what a "lifestyle Hotel" means to you.
The category of lifestyle hotels is quite broad. There are two- and three-star brands that are using the term moniker lifestyle hotels, as well as four- and five-star hotels. So, it’s a broad term. But I think what we’re trying to do at our properties is make sure they reflect the local community that surrounds them. And try to work in a way that it’s offering and embrace of the community.”
Technology is very important. So anything you can do to have the guest's stay made easier whether it is ease of reservation or great wifi is important.
What is your own personal litmus test for whether a hotel is worthy of the 'luxury' tag?
Luxury is such a strange term as it is very personal...but a great bed and great linens...well to me that's luxury for a hotel.
For me there is no such thing as a favourite as I am a nomad who likes to travel and see new places and revisit old places
What is your best overseas restaurant experience?
This may sound funny as I love restaurant experiences like Jules Verne and L'ami Louis but hands down best overseas restaurant experience is the grilled fish in Cha Ca La Vong in
What is your favourite airline for business or first class? Why?
Cathay Pacific First Class to
My carry on luggage - haven't checked a bag in over 10 years.
Enzymes and probiotics because who knows what you are eating sometimes.
My Mac so I can Ichat anywhere in the world
What is the one luxury travel experience you will never forget?
The boat ride from the airport in Tahiti to the Four Seasons in
What is the most important thing (travelwise) that money CAN buy?
A beautiful hotel accomodation
What is the most important thing it can't?A good meal...sometimes the most expensive is disappointing and the least expensive is the best...
Posted 18/1/11.
Updated 4/10/23
|
The ultimate of being successful is the luxury of giving yourself the time to do what you want to do. Leontyne Price
|
|
