Keeping the hotel?s individuality is important in the battle against the neighbouring giants . Keeping the hotel?s individuality is important in the battle against the neighbouring giants .

A second hotel
There is no doubt that Evans has a lot on his plate and the year ahead is focused on transforming the property, but there are longer term plans.

“We have a new project coming up in about 18 months’ time — we will open another one and make Boutique 7 a brand,” he explains.

“It will hopefully be in Dubai. I have the models upstairs, the ground is built, the footings are there. We have held back on what we are going to do with it because Mr Abr said ‘Paul, what do you want to do with it?’.

Story continues below
Advertisement

I said we need to get this one right, before we go ahead and launch a 500-room hotel. What they seem to do in Dubai is throw loads of money at it but that’s not necessarily the cure.”

Evans says he doesn’t know why his owner trusts him, but he explains he does inspire his owner to look beyond the finance of the project.

“I have a frank and open relationship with my owner and having him being a local is such a power boost for me. I might be a little hotel but having a local owner is a huge advantage.

“What we need to do with all people we meet in life is inspire them. And that is what I have tried to do with the staff, lead by example. Last week I was in the kitchen teaching the chef how to cook a roast dinner,” he says.

“That’s what these big giants miss, general managers who can stand on check in, can go and make a bed and then go and make a roast dinner.”

It will be interesting to see if Paul will beat his Goliaths, or at least claim his space among them. One thing we are certain of is, he won’t be going down without a fight.