Butlers in the Media

by Steven Ferry

A peculiar job description for a butler to a Russian family in England, requiring he act just like Jeeves and be either a Sagittarius, Virgo, Aquarius, Capricorn or Leo: an unusual example of discrimination in the hiring process!

The usual ex-butler loudmouth appeared in several articles this month as the resident consultant for trashy English newspapers on their continued efforts to turn royal life in England into a soap opera. Not surprisingly, his lack of discretion is receiving blowback from readership of even the trashy media.

While we have our very own absolute minority of colleagues who like to make public the private affairs of our employers, the virtual world of robots and “personal assistants” intersecting with real-world guests in private estates as well as hotel suites is fraught with malware and inadequate programming that opens the door to indiscretions on a large scale. Buyer beware…. Perhaps it is time to put the brakes on the automation trend and reassert real-life guest engagement and personalized service?

“Dog Butlers” are now being referred to as “Fur Butlers” by the more “upmarket-conscious.”

And on the positive side…Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve where the Institute has been training the butlers since its opening, is featured in Conde Nast Traveler’s ”The Best Resorts in the World” 2019 Readers’ Choice Awards, ranking #14 in the World and #1 in the Caribbean. Congratulations!

Another article on Las Vegas‘ premier butler—an Institute alumni.

India is introducing a new concept in cinemas that includes butler service and gourmet service from a celebrity chef.

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.