Minute on the clock: Jaime Faus

Jaime Faus is general manager of the Pullman London St Pancras, the first UK example of Accor's eighth hotel brand

How does the Pullman brand differ from the Novotel that was on the site previously?

What is the food offer like?

We have a new restaurant, the Golden Arrow, named after the famous all-first-class Pullman train service. Our menu is centred on the Pullman journey, so it features modern British, French and European cuisine. The Vinoteca by Pullman, a wine library, is available for our guests or for those wishing 
to pop in for a quick drink.

Business and events seem to
 play a large part of the hotel's operation. How have the demands from those markets changed?

Demands from our clients are always changing. State-of-the-art technology is, of course, a key requirement for business and events at our hotel, so we offer
free Wi-Fi for all delegates.

We also offer smartboards 
in meeting rooms. These are eight-in-one multifunctional worktools, controlled by a giant touch pad. We see more delegates looking for that level of technology.

Versatile spaces are important. Some people like a cosy, secluded area to work, and we have tucked-away areas for smaller parties.

What other needs does the Pullman aim to accommodate?

Our clients often switch quickly from work to play and the lines between their personal lives and their working lives are perhaps more blurred. We have a top-floor meeting room we call the Business Playground, built around a 'work hard, play hard' motto. It was designed by Mathieu Lehanneur and it has a poker-style conference table, designed to keep 'players' engaged and constantly focused, and a break-out area under a canopy illuminated by a calming projection, providing an escape 
that is both organic and digital.

Technology is a crucial element 
of the hotel - how do you ensure you choose the right kit?

It comes down to knowing what
our delegates need - high-speed connectivity, cutting-edge technology in the meeting rooms and free Wi-Fi is all part and parcel of the guest's experience.

You oversaw the launch of the Pullman. How did that go?

Perhaps the greatest challenge 
was that so much of the work was done while the hotel was still operating. We had to make sure
our guests were comfortable while 
new entrances were being built and whole floors were being renovated.

When we officially launched 
with Pullman Artnight - to celebrate our commitment to the art scene 
in London - I thought that, after 
12 busy months, we were done. 
But as many know, as a hotel GM, you are never done. We have
to keep evolving, just like our surroundings do in King's Cross.