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Gray Skies Gone

No one appreciates luxury living more than Gordon Campbell Gray, hotelier and owner of some of the most spectacular hotels in the world – and that’s simply because he’s experienced poverty firsthand.

It’s fair to say that Gray isn’t your average hotel tycoon; something he admits makes him rather peculiar. He’s already made his mark on the hospitality world with properties that include the iconic One Aldwych in London and Carlisle Bay in Antigua. His new pet project – Le Gray in Beirut – has been his primary focus since it opened last year. But charity is what drives the gears of his growing property portfolio, something, he says, is built into each and every foundation.

“If you’ve experienced what the majority of the world lives like, you want to instill good values into what you do,” he says, wearing his trademark Savile Row suit. “I couldn’t do luxury hotels if they weren’t authentic with a core and a soul.”

Gray, who enjoyed a privileged Scottish upbringing, was in his 20s when he came across an infomercial from the non-profit organisation ‘Save The Children’. The depiction of starving children swatting flies from their faces shook him to the core, enough so to assist the charity with his own hands by joining in on child nutrition projects in Bangladesh, Morocco and Nicaragua.

“When you’ve lived at the mouth of the Ganges with no water and no electricity, seeing real suffering, you’ll never accept snobbism again,” he explained. “I like nice things and I have a super life but I also have a simple life.”

Having spent five years in the most impoverished areas of the globe before returning to London to continue his philanthropy, Gray knew that in order to build a respectable business, it had to be built from a passion and respect for life. Today he continues as Vice President for ‘Save the Children’ and is presently involved with, and travels to, projects relating to child exploitation in the workforce in West Bengal, India.

Gray’s personal experiences translated well into the luxury living market, establishing a reputation that was ‘manic for details’.

“I’m quite a perfectionist. I want my orange juice to be fresh, I want the marmalade to be homemade and I want everything to be special and authentic,” he said.

The experience he wants to create for all guests is simple. “Just imagine a guest arriving as a crumpled shirt,” he says, “they’re frazzled on their blackberrys and they’re nervous wrecks. During your stay, you are just going to iron them out and make them absolutely beautiful and calm again. By the time you finish with them, they will just be immaculate.”

As special treatment goes, none of his properties follow VIP guidelines, something of a standard at most other 5-star hotels. But Gray has every reason to shun the practise.

“If I say that this person is a VIP, what I’m really saying is that you’re not. What kind of message is that?” he explained.

“If we have Brad Pitt staying at a suite, he is not a superior guest to the person next door, he has merely paid for a bigger space. He as an individual is the same as everyone else.”

Moreover, the thought of creating different levels of service at a hotel is something that Gray has completely done away with in all his properties. Instead, his focus is on pampering those guests who have gone out of their way to stay at one of his hotels.

“The person who has the smallest room and is paying the littlest has probably made the biggest effort to get there, and for the spoiled brats who end up in suites travelling around the world first-class, it is just another night,” he explained.

The hotel staff at his newest project, Le Gray in Beirut, have helped transform the empty building in the heart of the city’s Downtown district into a sophisticated gem in the CampbellGray crown. Gordon has become obsessed with the location he calls “the best place in the world”, and for good reason.

“What I really love the most is the staff; I have fallen in love with 268 Lebanese. This is going to be tiring.”

Competing hotels in Beirut have tried ro steal away every member of the new team, but none have budged.

“It’s all about inspiring people in whatever you do, whether you wash a pot or clean a room,” he says.

“The first thing I tell staff is that we are all equal human beings, we merely have different responsibilities.”

Gray’s philosophy has carried him a long way, but for a man who has enjoyed the finest amenities in life, he’s carried a humble modesty with him as well. By creating a world of luxury travel, his motivation to give back to those less fortunate has only gotten stronger. His sense of duty is as real and tangible as his outlook on life.

“I’m very grateful for everything that’s beautiful,”
he says.

Ooh La La Le Gray

To the surprise of many, Beirut was named the ‘number one place to visit’ by The New York Times last year, and hotelier Gordon Campbell Gray might just have been part of the reason. His latest project, Le Gray, has captured the essence of this great Mediterranean city and given visitors the opportunity to soak up Beirut’s hospitality in all the splendour of this famously chic hotel.

Beirut is going through a renaissance of sorts, but its history is marred by conflict. The latest war in the summer of 2006 was ‘devastating’, as Gray puts it, but nothing could have stopped him from continuing construction of Le Gray, the crown jewel of his small but exclusive collection of hotels. After his first visit to the ancient city, he was ‘hooked’ and his love affair with the Lebanese has only grown since doors to the ultra modern hotel opened late last year.

Le Gray is a pure reflection of the city itself: fashionable, stylish and sophisticated. The boutique hotel’s biggest selling point surely has to be its central location in the historic heart of downtown Beirut. It is connected to a series of grand avenues boasting some of the top cafes, restaurants and designer shops in the Middle East. From the entrance of the building you’ll find yourself inundated with the smells of Lebanese cuisine and entranced by the beauty of Martyrs Square.

While Le Gray’s location is a vital part of its allure, it is the hotel staff that will leave you breathless. From the classically beautiful receptionists to the accommodating concierge, all hotel staff are tri-lingual speaking English, Arabic and French (you’ll find this is true across the city).

Beirut is a truly artistic city, boasting some of the most progressive creative minds in the world. In wanting to reflect this passion, all the rooms at Le Gray showcase hundreds of unique works of art from across the globe. Gordon’s Café, located aside the lobby, displays a rare map of the world – made of toasted bread. With its Bohemian feel, you’ll find city residents flocking in throughout the day for English tea or homemade desserts. No visitor should leave without trying the cheesecake; your taste buds will thank you later.

The interior façade is completely modern and simplistic. Four elevators greet you on the main floor - made up of glass panels - giving users a futuristic glance through the building’s skeleton. Walls are adorned with grey lining and floors with solid-coloured carpeting. A stunning floor to roof atrium centralises the hotel, and at night, glows beautifully.

Of the 87 rooms at Le Gray, you’ll be floored by the distinct views of the historic city. Facing the Mediterranean coastline, you’ll take in Mount Lebanon’s snowy peaks as well as the historical Martyrs’ Square, which features Beirut’s beautiful blue-domed mosque (Al-Hariri Mosque) as well as ancient churches. The entire hotel features complimentary wi-fi and laptops, a rarity in Lebanon.

If you’ve always wanted breakfast to be a special occasion, hit up Indigo on The Roof and enjoy panoramic views with a fantastic state-of-the-art wine cellar. Lunch and dinner serve some of the most popular organic dishes around.

But when Le Gray decided to settle in a city whose outlandish nightlife is considered to be one of the best in the world, they knew they’d have to leave their mark. The answer was Bar ThreeSixty, located on the seventh floor, featuring unforgettable circular views of the city beneath a glow of purple neon. Quickly becoming one of the hottest new venues in town, you’ll tap glasses with Beirut’s ‘sunset elite’.

The city is renowned for its amazing climate; you truly can sunbathe in the morning and ski the slopes in the afternoon. With that in mind, Le Gray’s infinity Pool Lounge boasts one of the most far-out terraces we’ve ever seen. At night, the infinity waters glow purple and you’ll be able to enjoy the heated decks with a freshly squeezed juice or smoothie in hand.

If you’re looking for some relaxation after a long day of shopping and sightseeing, make sure to visit the PureGray spa for a hot-rock massage or diamond facial (we hear it does wonders for the ego).

When Gordon Campbell Gray decided to build a hotel in the centre of Beirut, what he did was add a bit of magic to the city. The hotel is not distinctive; rather it blends naturally with the wide street avenues and historic architecture of the district. Le Gray plays with its environment rather than try to escape it, and in a place like Lebanon, that’s something timeless.

For reservations: reservations@legray.com or call +961 1 96 2828

Kadry@khaleejtimes.com