Hôtelier
STEPHEN COUPE
An Honours graduate of Surrey University's Hotel School, Stephen has been well respected for more than three decades as a dynamic leader of hospitality teams, his career committed to excellence, dedicated to delivering world-class experiences.
His specialist, diverse expertise includes the launch and management of luxury hotel, train, barge and exclusive club projects. He demonstrates successful leadership, where the style and culture, as well as consistently high operating standards, earn a premium over the competition.
PORTFOLIO
"Simple pleasures are the last healthy refuge in a complex world." Oscar Wilde
HOTEL
Launched in the vanguard of the UK country house hotel movement, Cromlix was already differentiated;
a family owned, private shooting lodge, gradually fashioned over four centuries.
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It quietly and quickly rose to prominence, in 1982 achieving the UK Hotel of the Year award. International awards followed. An often returning guest wrote 'Cromlix is a feast for eye and tongue, with gentle people to stroke the soul’.
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One Devonshire Gardens is an exciting, contemporary, boutique hotel for the city, created as a beautiful home, which later became popular with celebrities. The property now extends over five B-listed townhouses.
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As Cunard's liner ‘Queen Mary’ took shape on the Clyde, Rogano was refitted in the same Art Deco style; with The Buttery, they were Glasgow’s most renowned and beloved culinary establishments.
TRAIN
A country house party on wheels, our blueprint for
The Royal Scotsman continues to offer the Grand Tour, a highly exclusive and private view of Scotland.
The train was differentiated from the competition; lower beds, wardrobes, individual shower rooms and coming to rest at night in a quiet country station, presenting an opportunity for sleep. Intimate excursions to the historic home of a Clan Chief and beautifully preserved castles.
After dinner, a black tie ceilidh at an ancient distillery, a raconteur or a harpist playing the Skye Boat Song lament, the train pointed at the magical Cuillin range. With access to one of the finest natural larders, dining aboard rivalled the most acclaimed restaurants in the country, moving or stationary.
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Within the company, the aim was always to operate 'the world's best train' and to consistently
deliver a discreet, sincere and anticipative service.
Reaction from both the experienced travellers and international journalists aboard was invariably superlative, reflected in the number of word of mouth recommendations and extended coverage in the top travel media publications.
BOAT
Reporting directly to the Continental Waterways CEO, this consultancy continued over several years, working pre-season with the Executive and Captaincy teams, then during the season aboard individually with Captains.
In a phase of rapid business and fleet expansion, the aim was not simply to maintain, but to develop operating standards, to competitive advantage.
CLUB
On the lands previously held by Clan Colquhoun and with the Clan seat of Rossdhu House as the Clubhouse, Loch Lomond Club is considered to be among the Top 100 courses in the world. Host to the Scottish Open for fourteen years, with Membership from more than thirty countries, it is still one of Scotland’s best kept secrets.
Forty private, luxurious and impeccably maintained suites over five locations. Perfectly situated for global travellers, it strives to achieve excellence across all operations and consistently provide Members with a world-class experience, whenever they choose to return to ’their home in Scotland’.
"Simplicity and naturalness are the truest marks of distinction."
W Somerset Maugham
