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Notes: Hotel Manager, Macdonald Holyrood Hotel

My name is Stuart Broomfield and I'm the Hotel Manager at the Macdonald Holyrood Hotel in Edinburgh.

I have been employed in the hospitality industry for the past 30 years, starting as a commis chef aged 16.

I have worked within several areas of the industry, including in the kitchen and as restaurant manager, in several hotels and independent restaurants as well as working for Gary Rhodes in London.

I am passionate about delivering great hospitality to guests. I model this to colleagues, leading by example, showing what ‘good’ looks like and instilling a positive attitude for others to follow.

Why are languages important in your field of work?

Visitors to the Macdonald Holyrood Hotel come from all over the world. Edinburgh is an international city with visitors coming from far and wide. Unlike a lot of other cities, Edinburgh attracts travellers all year round, in particular over the summer months; during the festival Edinburgh's population practically doubles. Guests arrive from all over Europe, the Far East, the Americas and beyond. They want to experience what we have to offer and to take in the history of this exciting and diverse city.

Would you say a little language can go a long way?

I absolutely agree. We have several colleagues that hail from all over Europe. To have a second or third language adds to your employability. Our colleagues surprise and delight many guests by welcoming them to the hotel in their mother tongue.

What languages have you learnt? 

I studied French for two years but unfortunately did not keep this up. I do now regret this as, in the hospitality industry language skills can really add to your employability and enhance your working experience. All employers are looking for employees that can demonstrate key skills, and applicants who have a language stand out from the crowd. I spent four years working on a cruise ship, the QE2, and completed three world cruises. I worked with many French guests and I would have greatly liked to converse with them in their own language.

As a result, I have encouraged my children to pursue language learning. My daughter studied French, is now at college and hope to go to university to study business. She understands that the world is a lot smaller these days and to succeed in business you need a second language. Our business markets are not just domestic and we need to be able to communicate on a global scale. My son is studying French and even at his early age of thirteen has ambitions to work overseas, so language skills are a “must have” if he wants to grasp this opportunity.

What would you say to anyone thinking of going into your field of work?

I would say that right now, absolutely learn a language. In addition, if you wish to reach the top and achieve your goals, working in the best hotels and best properties, then always set your targets high. For example, if you want to work in a restaurant, work in a great restaurant. If you want to work in a hotel, work in a four or five star hotel. Always reach and strive to work in the best places. Committing to high professional standards and delivering them consistently will, make you a better employee, not to mention a better person marked by integrity and high personal standards. You shall meet all sorts of people with so much to offer who come from a huge diversity of backgrounds . Every day is different and brings exciting opportunities and moments which will stay with you forever.

Hospitality is the biggest industry in the world ... it's all about communication and being able to connect with others. You never know, if you try to reach for the stars, sometimes you do actually touch them.