John Keating is the general manager at Fairmont St Andrews for AccorHotels. He has a career spanning some of the top hotels and resorts in the world, including The Ritz in London, and has hospitality experience accumulated in China, Russia, Australia and Indonesia.
Book your taxi from Edinburgh to St Andrews on 0800-6190575.
How much is a taxi from Edinburgh to St Andrews ? a taxi from Edinburgh Airport to St Andrews costs £90 . A taxi from Edinburgh Airport to St Andrews costs £100. Taxis can be booked by text or phone on +447576127097 24 hours a day
How do I get from Edinburgh Airport to St Andrews? Book a taxi for a ride from Edinburgh Airport to St Andrews. The journey takes about 1 hour . Pick up is from the pickup zone inside the multi-storey car park outside the terminal . A taxi from Edinburgh Airport to St Andrews costs from £90 for a group of 4 passengers .
Keating is currently spearheading a transition at the St Andrews Hotel and Resort into a “relentlessly customer-focused operation based on excellence and emotional experience’” as well as a celebration of the region’s culinary delights.
Having recently won AA Best Eco Hotel for Fairmont St Andrews, we asked him about his career and his vision for the property:
Tell me a little bit about yourself, in your own words – what was your background before you came to this company?
I was introduced to the industry by my uncle who was the sommelier and maître d’ at the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin. I started as an apprentice when I was 16 and covered all the food and beverage side of the business.
Later, I lived in Geneva for a year to improve my French and went on to complete a Management Traineeship at the Ritz Hotel in London. I also attended West London University and graduated with a degree in Hospitality and Tourism.
My early career was mainly focused on food and beverage, becoming the Ritz Hotels maître d’ at the age of 25.
After several senior restaurant, food and beverage positions in five-star hotels around the world, I became a general manager some 20 years ago.
How does that help you in your role?
All of my previous work experience has helped me in my current role. Leading different teams around the world has been a great way to improve communication and strengthen my leadership skills.
Since starting at Fairmont St Andrews, I have mentored many of my senior management team, and continue to mentor them even when they have moved on.
I enjoy being able to develop my team using my previous knowledge and experience in other roles.
What challenges have you overcome in your career and how?
One of the biggest challenges we are facing now in the industry is maintaining the talent pool for hospitality and keeping the drive for young leaders. Over the last couple of years, I have worked alongside the Scottish government to develop a three-year hospitality modern apprenticeship scheme which went live at Fairmont St Andrews in 2017.
Book your taxi from Edinburgh to St Andrews on 0800-6190575.
