Butlers in the Media

by Steven Ferry

Little in the news again regarding butlers this month, other than the usual person mouthing off about the English royals and one mention of a “BBQ butler” (a mesh grill) and something that has so many adjectives appended to it that it is hard to work out what it is—other than a garden tool of some sort (Yard Butler Heavy Duty Durable Steel Long Handled Bulb Garden Yard Planter Tool) and which has zero relation to butlers in fact.

Lastly, the staff at the many Jumeirah properties around the world now have the support of “e-butler” software for their guests’ smart phones that allows them to contact any department for any need. Just exactly where this leaves the butlers, who used to have the role of coordinating guest requests and following up on them; and where it leaves the guests, who cannot simply leave a request with the butler to push through, but must deal directly with other departments, remains to be seen.

The chain, it seems, may well be shooting itself in the foot with regard to the butler service it offers, or perhaps saying that it does not wish to continue to offer real butler service. It will be interesting to see how they redefine the role of their butlers.

The Institute is dedicated to raising service standards by broadly disseminating the mindset and superior service expertise of that time-honored, quintessential service provider, the British Butler, updated with modern people skills, and adapted to the needs of modern employers and guests in staffed homes, luxury hotels, resorts, spas, retirement communities, jets, yachts & cruise ships around the world.