Industry great Ramon Pajares dies aged 88

Ramon Pajares, who spent 22 years with Four Seasons in London before becoming managing director of the Savoy, has died aged 88.

Pajares was credited with turning the Four Seasons hotel on Park Lane into one of the most profitable hotels in the country during his tenure, which he spent as general manager before being made the luxury hotel brand’s regional vice president for Europe.

He joined the then Savoy Group of Hotels & Restaurants as managing director in 1994, overseeing the restoration of its hotel portfolio, which included the Savoy, Claridge’s, the Berkeley and the Connaught in London and the Lygon Arms in Broadway, Worcestershire, at a cost of £90m.

His appointment generated a public debate as to how appropriate it was for a "foreigner" to be running what was seen to be a very traditional English institution. But under Pajares’s leadership the hotel was rejuvenated, and the Savoy won the Cateys Hotel of the Year – Group category in 1998, a year before he retired in 1999.

His success at the Savoy also drove up the value of the Savoy Educational Trust’s holding, where Pajares served as trustee for 23 years and chairman for six. When he stepped down in 2021, Pajares said: "My passion and love for this industry made having the financial resources of the Trust, to help our young people, a constant and rewarding experience."

Winner of Hotelier of the Year in 1984, the Cateys Wine Award in 1989 and Special Award in 1997, Pajares also received an OBE in the New Year’s Honours list in 1999.

Members of the hospitality industry have paid tribute to Pajares following news of his death.

John Williams MBE, executive chef at the Ritz London, told The Caterer: "I knew Ramon, or Mr Pajares as I would always call him, as humble man. He really could speak to anyone and when he was operational there was nobody like him.

"When I worked for him at the Savoy Group I was fascinated by this man that was so forward thinking. He was probably one of the first to look at chefs and allow them to be their own patrons in a hotel.

"Mr Pajares was a total gentleman who knew what he wanted and gave everyone the opportunity to shine. I always looked for his approval. I spoke to him three months ago and asked him back to the Ritz – and it was because I always sought his approval and trusted his judgement. He is an example for all hoteliers."

Harry Murray, former chairman of Lucknam Park and 1986 Hotelier of the Year, wrote on Twitter: "Ramon was a consummate inspirational hotelier and a gentleman, who successfully combined traditional standards of hotel-keeping with modern systems.

"His legacy will be the generation of people he inspired and developed to ensure their own success."

Pajares is survived by Jean, his wife of more than 60 years, daughters Sofia and Maria, son Roberto, four grandchildren and extended family both in England and in his native Spain.