Plymouth's Astor Hotel stars in 'The Hotel Inspector' by Lynne Mashhadi 23/07/2010
Everyone in Plymouth (in the know) became very excited about the visit of Channel Five's 'Hotel Inspector' to the Astor Hotel.
Even more exciting for me was the fact that my husband Ash Mashhadi, was making a guest appearance in the programme!
So it was with great anticipation that we sat down to view the 'The Hotel Inspector'. And I wasn't disappointed. The programme was full of laughs, frustrations and great characters!
The Astor's Grand Past
The Astor Hotel is a Plymouth landmark. It was named named after Lady Astor, who was the first woman to take a seat in the House of Commons in 1919, representing Plymouth. A beautiful Victorian building, it has been owned for the past nine years by Joseph Louei, a colourful character, well known to many in Plymouth.
Not For Profit
The Astor has apparently not taken a profit in the nine years that Joseph Louei has owned it. It didn't take the Hotel Inspector Alex Polizzi long to pounce on some of the problems. A couple of stained carpets, a hair in a bath, an over-busy reception area, cheap plastic mis-matched coathangers, fake flowers in the bridal suite, a mediocre breakfast. All of these failings came in under her disapproving eye.
Would You Stay There?
More disturbing were some very bad reviews on well known travel websites, such as Tripadviser.co.uk. Joseph Louei insisted that he had made enemies in his career and that the reviews were a campaign of harrassment to harm him and his hotel.
There may be some element of truth in this as the hotel did not look bad enough to merit some of the worse reviews. I also know of another Plymouth hotelier who was threatened with a bad review by an unscrupulous guest, who was trying to get out of paying for their stay. Some of these reviews may indeed be fake and malicious.
However, as Alex Polizzi pointed out, the best way to spike the guns of the bad reviewers is to improve your hotel and give guests a fabulous time. This way your guest will keep coming back and will post good reviews to counteract the bad ones. Whilst word of mouth will bring in new business.
A Reality Check?
The hotel owner was certainly in denial and did not find it easy to take criticism on board. However, he did allow the Hotel Inspector's team to make-over his reception area and one bedroom. The result was a huge improvement. The improved areas looked larger, classier and much more welcoming.
Joseph also agreed to provide croissants for the breakfast table, without people having to ask for them especially. However, Alex Polizzi did find some cheap mis-matched hangers had crept back in and that the towels were piled back on the bed again, upon her return visit! She certainly has a thing about coat hangers and towels!
Joseph Louei came across as a great character. Obstinate, flamboyant, opinionated, yet friendly and very passionate about his adopted home town of Plymouth.
Moment of Fame
My husband Ash Mashhadi's role was to look around the hotel as a visiting business man before and after the transformation and to give his comments. Ash found the the rooms for a business traveller were far too fussy and feminine for his taste. But upon his return visit he found the room Alex had improved much more appropriate.
Great TV
The Astor is a beautiful Victorian hotel, in a glorious location near to Plymouth Hoe, with a friendly yet very obstinate owner, with a penchant for trilby hats. No wonder it made good televsion when he clashed with the bossy, but always right, Alex Polizzi. There were also some beautiful shots of Plymouth Hoe which made me proud to live here!
An Individual Experience
If Joseph were to follow the Hotel Inspector's advice to the letter, then I believe that the Astor Hotel could be a great success. Some people like the predictable comforts of a Jurys Inn or a Holiday Inn, but others would prefer a more individual experience.
The Astor Hotel is certainly an individual experience! It has a great location, a friendly if eccentric owner, beautiful period features and an exalted history. So with a little more attention to detail, a less fussy decor and a bit more focus on customer feedback, it could be a great place to stay.
Lynne has lived in Plymouth for nearly 20 years, and wouldn't live anywhere else. Lynne was born in the South East, but her mother and maternal grandparents were all born and raised in Plymouth.
The Plymouth Blog is where Lynne talks about things that are happening in Plymouth and how they affect the people who live here. She's lived in Luton, London, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, Cardiff and Bristol, but chose to come and live in Plymouth over 20 years ago, because she saw what a great place it is.
Everything she says here is her opinion, so feel free to agree or disagree with her views!You can add your comments, using the form below.
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