The Australian running London’s $2 billion hotel
This new $2 billion London hotel is right next to Buckingham Palace and rooms start at $2000 a night. We meet the Aussie running it.
Victorian-born Sonja Vodusek started out in the world of hospitality making beds as a room attendant in Japan in 1992.
She had always loved hotels when she travelled as a child but the industry wasn’t her first choice when she finished school.
Vodusek was instead working in her family business, running the finance and HR side of things, when she came across an advert for Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School.
“I thought that sounded like fun. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to change career,” she says.
That was more than 31 years ago and Vodusek has since worked around the world at the Sheraton Grand Mirage in Port Douglas, the Grand Hyatt in Melbourne, Four Seasons hotels in Prague, Dublin and Washington DC, and Peninsula hotels in New York, Manila, Tokyo and now London.
She started off in housekeeping and moved up to director of rooms, then hotel management to finally becoming the one in charge.
“For me, it’s all about the people,” Vodusek says about her job. “I really enjoy connecting with others, whether they are guests or colleagues. Everyone has an interesting story to tell. The most challenging part of my job is trying to squeeze everything into 24 hours when you are running a 24/7 operation.”
The Peninsula Hotels group spent 30 years finding the perfect location for its first London property and found it right next to Hyde Park and Buckingham Palace.
“Our biggest achievement is to have gathered a wonderful team to open the hotel,” Vodusek says.
“We have recruited and trained over 650 team members because hospitality is all about people. Staff always make a hotel. You can have the most glamorous product in the world, but if guests don’t feel well looked after by the team, it’s never going to be a good hotel.”
As to the visitors who stay at the hotel where rooms start at a mere $2000 a night, Vodusek is keeping mum about her most memorable guests. “Now that would be telling.”
A place to call home
I grew up in Yarrawonga on the Victoria-NSW border. I did a lot of travelling as a child; our family was always on the go.
I have lived in wonderful places throughout my career and now it’s all about London, which is such a dynamic city – though the weather could be better.
I always try to go back to Australia for some much-needed sun. I still call Australia home.
Top eating spots in London
I really enjoy Indian food and I’m a bit of a regular at Zaika in Kensington and Gymkhana in Mayfair. For Cantonese food, Canton Blue at The Peninsula London is without question the best. And I may be biased but I had one of the best dining experiences since I’ve been in London at Bibendum (pictured) in South Kensington, which is run by Claude Bosi. Claude is now the chef director at Brooklands on the eighth floor of The Peninsula London.
Under the radar
I love visiting Apsley House, which is next to Hyde Park in London. It used to be known as “Number 1, London” back in the 18th century because it was the first house you came across upon entering the city. It is a wonderful Grade I-listed building and was home to the first Duke of Wellington for many years but now it is open to the public, who can enjoy its regal furnishings.
Favourite cities to shop and eat
London and Melbourne for both shopping and dining, actually. Melbourne (pictured) feels like London’s little sister on so many levels; you can get food from anywhere around the world. And for shopping I still buy all my clothes when I am back home in Australia.
My ideal hotel room
Has a comfy bed, great lighting, a hot shower with good water pressure, and fast and efficient service. Easy-to-control technology is also very important but more than anything it’s people who smile. The first thing I do when I arrive in my room is put the Do Not Disturb sign on and get my laundry arranged. I also set up my makeup in the bathroom and check the lighting.
Perfect holiday destination
Anywhere warm and sunny with good food and a bit of culture gets my vote – aka Australia. I am not a winter sports person at all. I have stayed in too many wonderful hotels to mention but anywhere with a beach is my happy place.
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