Claridge's attract record audience for BBC 2 TV documentary
Claridge's has had "a super-busy day" following the screening of last-night's BBC 2 documentary depicting life behind the scenes of the five-star, 203-bedroom hotel in the heart of London's Mayfair.
The website's crashed 10 minutes into the programme, but since being restored has recorded a record number of hits. Today has also seen a "huge increase" in bedroom bookings and job applications for the 105-year old property.
Paula Fitzherbert, director of public relations for the Maybourne Group, the owner of Claridge's, said that the hotel is extremely pleased that the widespread consensus of opinion regarding the documentary was positive.
"We are particularly pleased that the industry reaction has been so supportive, with people saying that it shows the hospitality sector within a good light," she said. "We have also received lots of lovely comments from guests."
Reviews in the national press have been positive too, with The Guardian saying that the "the persistently gentle probing of the staff (by director Jane Treays)" made the programme "such a joy".
In an exclusive interview with Caterer and Hotelkeeper, general manager Thomas Kochs reveals that it took "a lot of wooing by the BBC" before the hotel agreed to go ahead with the three-part series. "It was a significant decision because it was the first time Claridge's had opened its doors to TV cameras."
To read the full interview, pick up this week's issue of Caterer and Hotelkeeper, published on Thursday.
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By Janet Harmer
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