We've decided to get to know some of our local business partners a bit better - and today we speak to Hervé Guyat from The New Steine Hotel, Bar & Bistro... 

What’s your role at the New Steine and how long have you been there, we hear it’s a big anniversary?

Yes it is a big anniversary as it is 20 years since I bought the New Steine Hotel and put the keys in the door.

Whilst I am the proprietor of the New Steine Hotel & Bistro, my role is very hands on; from checking guests and looking after them to serving in our French bistro or checking the rooms with our head housekeeper

I do believe it is important to keep an eye everywhere.

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What do you like most about what you do?

My passion is to get to know my customers, chat with them and share my local knowledge, helping  them have the best experience possible not just with us at the hotel but in Brighton as well.

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How did you get into tourism  and hospitality?

My original trade was fashion / Haute Couture. I was working for Valentino in Sloane Street, London. I moved to the hospitality industry after the Gulf War when we had less customers. I did not want to wait around.  I had done a year at hotel school back in Biarritz but left to move to a fashion house in the south of France. I went full circle and back to the hospitality industry.

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How has your business evolved over the last few years?

The original New Steine only had 11 rooms and was more of a seaside B&B.  As soon as I moved in, I opened the French Bistro. Over the years I bought the building next door and transformed it into a boutique hotel with a bar, French bistro and conference facilities. 

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What’s the best thing about where you work?

I love the square where we are. It is a very special place for me. Looking at Brighton Sea front everyday just makes me happy. I do come from Biarritz, a Seaside resort in south of France.

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What’s your average day like, or is it ever average??

My average day is made of 12 hours. I normally start with a New Steine Breakfast and run around from the moment I walk in.

I check the arrivals for the day, reservations, check in, check out, concierge service and move in to my office to deal with the marketing & accounts.

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What is the biggest challenge or opportunity currently for you and the New Steine Hotel?

The biggest challenge is to ensure that we offer consistency in service and quality but I hope we are doing well.

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What exciting plans are there for the New Steine Hotel?

I am pleased  to say that the exciting plan is for my guests to discover the new look and full refurbishment I just did over the winter (see photo above). Of course with the current situation it is to carry on trading in the safest way possible.

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What do you like most about Brighton?

What I love about Brighton is the diversity. It reminds me of London when I first arrived in the 1980's. Being able to see all sort of different looks and people from all sorts of different countries too.

I also love being able to walk everywhere and live in a vibrant city. I can't imagine living anywhere else

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If anything at all, what would you like to be doing as an alternative career?

To be honest, I am lucky to be doing exactly what I love

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Apart from Brighton of course, where else would you most like to live?

I can't imagine living anywhere else. It would be nice to be able to spend a bit more time in Biarritz where I come from and have a holiday home but Brighton is my home to live. 

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Thank you!