May
Fair hotel welcomes new GM Thursday night saw Red Carpet join a welcoming party
for Anthony Lee, the new general manager of the May Fair Hotel. The private
party was at the May Fair's ever-swish Penthouse suite and Anthony Lee takes
over from Charles Oak, the energetic former GM who has left to launch Heckfield
Place in the Hampshire countryside. Abigail Parkin (19 Nov
10)
“Everyone in the
luxury-plus industry in London knows what an enormous impact the May Fair Hotel
has made since the re-launch,” he said. “The combination of, let’s call it
“unstuffiness,” with the highest standards of 5-star service and accommodation
has been a winner. I’m delighted to take over that mantle and hope that I can
add a little extra something into the mix to drive this London landmark to even
greater success.”
He plans to go back to the May Fair's past to define
its future. “In 1957 the American Danziger brothers, film impresarios who had
founded the New Elstree studios, bought the hotel and turned it into the
playground of film stars and their entourages. This was just one chapter in the
story of an iconic hotel with connections throughout its life to the
entertainment industry; film, fashion, music and art. These roots have become
our DNA and are inherent to our day-to-day life at the May Fair, from our style
and guests to the partnerships we have with the British Fashion Council, British
Film Institute and the Raindance Film Festival. As such we are well known as
the landmark hotel for London’s cultural scene.”
The May Fair
plans to keep up the presence of household names and business and entertainment
chiefs in its restaurants, bars and suites. And this is where Anthony Lee
expects his global contacts book to bring impact. “The May Fair could be one of
the world’s best kept secrets and I feel not enough people know about us. My
life has been spent building up relationships with people that make the world
“tick” and I look forward to welcoming them and many new guests to the May Fair,
the London home of those persons seeking luxury with fun.”