Hotel | Book Review | 1965 | Arthur Hailey

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Arthur Hailey (1920-2004) was a British-Canadian author known for his meticulously researched bestsellers. Born in England, Hailey served in the Royal Air Force during World War II. He subsequently emigrated to Canada in 1947. His career took off with the success of Flight into Danger (1956), originally a television play. Novels like Hotel (1965), Airport (1968) and Wheels (1971) further added to his popularity. His works were known to blend drama with detailed insider knowledge.

Hailey’s books, often adapted for films and TV shows, have captivated millions of readers worldwide, making him a household name.

SYNOPSIS

Hotel by Arthur Hailey is a gripping drama set within the confines of a prestigious but struggling New Orleans establishment, the St. Gregory Hotel. The novel unfolds over five intense days, exposing the behind-the-scenes operations of the hotel.

The central character, Peter McDermott, is the assistant general manager of St. Gregory. He is an efficient and level-headed man with ambitions to improve the hotel. Over time, he is caught between the chaotic demands of the job and his personal desire to revamp the establishment. The hotel’s owner, Warren Trent, is aging and reluctant to modernize. To make matters worse, he faces financial ruin and the possibility of selling the hotel to a greedy tycoon, Curtis O’Keefe, who plans to convert the place into a chain.

McDermott’s budding relationship with Christine Francis, the hotel’s efficient and compassionate public relations manager, lends a personal dimension to the narrative. Together, they work to prevent O’Keefe’s takeover while dealing with the everyday crises arising in the hotel, ranging from incidents of food poisoning to managing difficult guests.

Throughout the novel, Arthur Hailey dives deep into the complex machinery of running a major hotel. This involves housekeeping and kitchen staff dynamics to security and management decisions. Each character represents different facets of the contemporary era. The climax occurs when a fire breaks out in the hotel, jeopardizing the lives of everyone inside. This situation forces decisions that will determine not only the future of St. Gregory, but the personal fates of the novel’s key characters as well.

WHAT WE LIKED ABOUT HOTEL

Arthur Hailey’s Hotel is a compelling and richly detailed novel that explores the intricacies of the hospitality industry. At the same time, the story also addresses the broader social, economic and moral issues of the era. Known for his meticulous research and ability to weave human drama into his narratives, Hailey once again delivers a novel that is as informative as it is engaging.

The novel features a wide range of characters whose stories reflect the broader issues of class, race and power. The Duchess of Croydon and her husband, a prominent English couple, are embroiled in a scandalous hit-and-run accident that threatens to besmirch the hotel’s and their own reputation. Meanwhile, a Black doctor, Dr. Elmo Adams, faces racial prejudice from the staff when trying to book a room, highlighting the tensions of the era.

One of Hailey’s greatest strengths is his ability to immerse readers in the technical and operational aspects of a given industry. In Hotel, he provides a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the workings of a luxury hotel. He takes readers deep into every intricate detail involved in running a hotel, from the management structure to housekeeping, from guest relations to security measures. The novel’s protagonist, Peter McDermott, the assistant general manager, serves as the reader’s guide through this world. Through him, readers get a glimpse into the challenges and demands of running such an establishment.

Hotel shines in its exploration of moral and ethical dilemmas, many of which are still relevant today. Warren Trent, the aging owner of St. Gregory, embodies the conflict between tradition and progress. His refusal to modernize the hotel or sell it to O’Keefe represents a resistance to the encroachment of corporate homogeneity.

Lastly, the pacing of the novel is generally strong, with a dramatic climax tying all loose ends.

WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER ABOUT HOTEL

Hailey’s penchant for research is both a plus and minus point. In other words, some readers may feel that Hailey’s focus on the technical aspects of the hotel’s operation comes at the expense of character development. Despite its rich characterization, many of the novel’s characters, particularly the secondary ones, come across as stereotyped. For instance, the Duchess of Croydon and her husband, involved in a hit-and-run accident, epitomize the aristocracy’s sense of entitlement and moral double standards. Similarly, Curtis O’Keefe, the greedy businessman eager to turn St. Gregory into a chain hotel, represents unchecked capitalism. While these characters serve to illustrate larger themes, they may feel more like symbols than fully realized individuals.

Peter McDermott and Christine Francis, the central characters, are more nuanced but still follow predictable arcs. While McDermott is the classic hardworking, principled protagonist, Christine is the competent, loyal woman who stands by him. Nevertheless, their budding romance is secondary to the plot. It serves to humanize the high-stakes business dealings and operational crises they face. Furthermore, despite its lack of complexity, their relationship lends an undeniable warmth and emotional depth to the plot.

QUOTES

Whatever criticisms might be levelled nowadays at the way the St. Gregory was run, to Warren Trent it was more than a hotel; it had been his lifetime’s work. He had seen it grow from insignificance to prominence, from a modest initial building to a towering edifice occupying most of a city block.

A dog likes people who pat him on the head. That’s because his thinking isn’t complicated by knowledge and education.

CONCLUSION