The Harley Street Medical Area is made up of an array of fantastic businesses, organisations and practices. Each month, we spend some time getting to know one of the people that call Harley Street home.
This week, we’re meeting, Paul Walters, General Manager of The Marylebone Hotel.
Can you tell us a little bit about your work at ….. The Marylebone Hotel
Describe your average day.
The great thing about the hospitality industry is that no two days are ever alike. One day might be all about the arrival of a VIP delegation taking all of our top suites, the next about an important meeting of doctors/hedge fund managers/luxury fashion house sales and training executives/the next (typically a Saturday) all about helping many of our guests celebrate important personal milestones and the next could be all about meeting with the design team to plan the look of our new Studio suites or the very serious task of ‘quality taste testing’ all of our new Afternoon Tea delights.
How did you get to where you are today?
I started my career in Australia however the hospitality industry allows you to work and travel all around the world and so I’ve had the privilege of working with some great hotels in Asia, the South Pacific, the Americas and, for 8 years in total, in London.
How has Covid-19 impacted your organisation?
Our industry, together with the travel industry, has been one of the hardest hit by the pandemic. We seem to have been closed ‘in lockdown’ as much as we have been open and operating these past 18 months. We are delighted that we are now slowly on our way back ‘to normal’.
What do you like most about being based on Harley Street?
Marylebone village is such a vibrant hub and the considered combination of medical, retail, services and hospitality businesses make it a very unique experience in London.
What are your thoughts on the future of the Harley Street Area?
The opportunity for the Harley Street Area to (further) establish itself on a global basis as a centre of excellence, a unique lifestyle experience and a must visit area of London.
How does the Harley Street Medical Area Partnership support your business?
The ability to be able to connect with so many other businesses that have a vested interest, and indeed a love, of this area is vital to the success of our business. The opportunity to be a part of the conversation is of great value to us.
How could a visitor to the area spend their time here?
It’s the variety of available experiences in this area – cultural, gastronomic, therapeutic (whether retail or mind and body) – that ensures that each visitor is spoilt for choice….and lacking in reasons not to return again and again.
Any particular recommendations or hidden gems?
This area is so easy to traverse by foot which makes the unique ‘Blue Badge’ tour so appealing. An hour or so of crisscrossing the local streets and lane with historical insights and amusing anecdotes, this tour is educational, entertaining and mostly lots of fun.
If you could describe the Harley Street area in three words, what would they be?
Unique, Sophisticated, Vibrant.
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