Chemistry + Confidence = Hotel career for Gul

There was quite a reaction from Gul Kapur’s family when she decided to switch from a future career in chemistry to one in the hospitality industry.

The high-flying student who graduated from one of India’s leading colleges with a BSc honours degree in chemistry decided to change paths and complete a degree in hotel management. Her decision paid off and Gul has never looked back since she was selected by the prestigious Taj hotel group to become a management trainee.

Gul has now been appointed Executive Head Housekeeper at Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa, the landmark country house property on the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire border that opens in October.

Whilst making beds is a necessary chore for most people, Gul’s housekeeping team will be responsible for making up to 200 beds daily and looking after 144 guest rooms. The rooms include eight four-poster suites and 56 rooms that can be used as double or twin bedrooms.

“My experience in the hotel industry dates back to 1987,” said Gul. “To my family’s surprise I decided to do my degree in hotel management after finishing my BSc in chemistry. That took me to New Delhi and I was based at the Taj Palace Intercontinental Hotel, a 504-bedroom property with huge banqueting facilities. There I was transformed from a shy, reserved girl into a responsible mature manager!”

Since then Gul has gained valuable experience working at some of the top hotels in India and the UK’s, including being involved in the run up to hotel openings such as Luton Hoo.

“I have been involved with three hotel openings, setting up the housekeeping and laundry departments from scratch and putting systems and procedures in place,” said Gul. “Each of them has been very different and unique in their own way and I am extremely excited to be working at Luton Hoo, which is a grand opportunity for me.”

When Gul worked for the Taj group she was the only housekeeper to be selected to take part in a special training course overseas and since moving to the UK she has worked for several hotels in London, including the Apex City and five-star Grove.

Elite Hotels Managing Director Graeme Bateman said: “Since deciding to move into the hospitality industry Gul has carved a very successful career for herself and won several awards and accolades. She has gained a wealth of experience in several prestigious hotels and I am delighted she is now going to head Luton Hoo’s housekeeping team.”

The reservations office at Luton Hoo is now open and when the hotel on the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire border opens it will be one of the newest members of Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH), the consortium representing 400 of the best independent hotels in more than 65 countries.  Elite Hotels also owns Ashdown Park and the five-star Grand Hotel in East Sussex and Tylney Hall, in Hampshire, which are all members of SLH.