Joseph Louie takes TV criticism of Plymouth's Astor Hotel on the chin
LARGER than life city hotelier Joseph Louei remained defiant after watching his business come in for harsh criticism in a reality TV show.
The well-known businessman opened the doors of the Astor Hotel to Channel Five's The Hotel Inspector, and after watching the show last night, Joseph believes the programme was over critical.
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Presenter Alex Polizzi paid a visit to the three-star establishment and was filmed being highly critical of everything from the over-the-top decor to stained carpets and mismatched clothes hangers.
"All the bad things she tried to use to make the programme good seem good to me because if that is all she could find wrong that's great," he said.
"It's just small little things."
Joseph said a stained carpet was already due to be replaced, a fact not explained in the programme. And the discovery of a hair in one of the hotel room baths is also a root of frustration for the businessman.
"They had a key to every room and to find one hair in a bath doesn't make the hotel dirty; she said how clean the rooms were," he said.
The proud Plymouth resident did take onboard some of Alex's suggestions, like redesigning the reception area.
But the hotel has not conformed completely to Alex's exacting requests with one major bone of contention, fake flowers in the bridal suite, still taking pride of place.
"Everyone loves the flowers in that bridal suite," he said.
Despite the harsh criticism, Joseph hopes the show will have a positive effect on the hotel and the city's hospitality industry as a whole.
"I am pleased with the result and I hope others will take note and do something to improve their hotels because we've got a lot of good things happening in Plymouth and we want people to keep coming back."
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by Ex Employees x 3, Plymouth
Tuesday, July 27 2010, 1:49PM
“To JannerLad & Mick,
You are perfectly allowed to make your point, and he does have a high staff turnover, but the thing his staff have in common is him. And as for taking his money, he pays less than the minimum wage, and we would refer you to master chef's comment of him "being an excuse man", he is always ready with something to say when you ask for your wages 10 days after they're due and 2 of worked there for over 2 years and no inquiries were made into replacing the carpets and the one in reception was not shampooed and cleaned once. He's a joke who just wants to run his little kingdom and have everyone simper and fawn at his feet.”
by homey112, PLYMOUTH
Saturday, July 24 2010, 3:57PM
“Joseph believes the programme was over critical !!! WHY GO ON THERE THEN OH YES FREE PUBLICITY !! ANY OF THE STAFF FROM PLYMOUTH OR ENGLISH ?????????”
by Ellie H, Plymouth
Saturday, July 24 2010, 10:50AM
“Joseph is one of Plymouth's wonderful eccentrics with a massive heart and sense of kindneww towards endless charities - his hotel may not be 5 star but it's a lovely cosy and welcoming place. That breakfast shown on the programme bore no resemblence to the one I had when I stayed there and remember these programmes are edited to within an inch of their original life to make for controversial TV. I do like the new foyer but the old one was also very cosy. I think Joseph will rise above this and be one of Plymouth's survivors, he defintely deserves it. Some of the comments on the net are from, I believe, people with an axe to grind, maybe ex employees, or people who just get jealous of anybody who is having a crack at life.”
by julie, plymouth
Saturday, July 24 2010, 10:38AM
“the hotel inspector, astor hotel.
hi joseph, thanks for yesterday, was devistated when i walked into the hotel today, i just cried. my fiance and i prefered the old style, it had warmth, character, ambience, it was different from the other hotels and thats what we wanted, we both didn't know what to say. wedding day is in september, we had based the theme on the hotel style. we both understand the reasons why you felt you had to do this. once again thankyou for being a true gentleman and being honest with us. the world could do with a few more like you.”
by Jannerlad, Plymstock
Saturday, July 24 2010, 1:37AM
“I think you've got it in one Mick. Happy when their taking his money though.”