Darryl Hill has managed the stately Grand Galvez in historic Galveston for a decade, and oversees purchasing for parent company Seawall Hospitality, which currently owns another boutique hotel in Key West, Florida. He spent a lively hour with Boca Terry sharing his observations.
Boca Terry We hear an accent that is surely not Texan. Do tell.
Darryl Hill I was born in a little village outside London and educated in London. I have been in the hospitality industry since 1993, working all over the world.
BT Although the name has changed, the Grand Galvez has been an integral part of its community for a century. True?
DH For sure. The hotel was built in 1911 right after Galveston was devasted by a storm. Presidents have stayed here. Locals have deep ties here. Many families dress up and come to our brunch—we set the tables with finely pressed linens—every Sunday. We’ve even hosted three generations of weddings for the same family. We must be sure to ‘get it right.’
BT How do you honor the old while providing modern conveniences?
DH We try to give guests a Great Gatsby-era experience. We even still use the original 1911 mailbox chute and display a working 1920 Speedster in the lobby. We’ve updated the hotel’s bones and sneak in modern amenities like USB chargers and a WiFi system, yet make sure the hotel’s history is nurtured.
BT Luxury in a beach town is hard to pull off. What are some ways you pamper guests?
DH We provide luxury. For example, the sheets in our guest rooms are top-of-the-line Boca Terry Super T300 Sateen Bed Linens. We want the best we can get our hands on from a product standpoint.
BT Why is that important?
DH A hotel is a hotel is a hotel is a hotel. What separates us is the experience. When you lay in bed, and feel comfortable and get a good night’s sleep, it matters. When you wrap yourself in a really fluffy oversized bath towel, Oxford Imperial Bath, that is just the right size and thickness, that adds to the experience. It’s just like buying a cup of coffee in Starbucks for $5 because it provides a better experience than a $1 cup at a gas station.
BT All those fine linens and towels are a big investment, no?
DH Could we save hundreds of thousands of dollars buying other products instead? Absolutely. But this is about having a superior product for a superior guest. These products have a certain look and feel and design that meets or exceeds guests’ needs.
BT How will you make the guest experience even better?
DH We’re looking into adding a logo with our long-time slogan, “The Queen of the Gulf,” onto shams, and maybe robes and other items.