In this episode of The Lifestyle Series, host Andrew Taylor sits down with Paul Fischmann, one of Australia’s most innovative hotel developers. Paul shares his journey from humble beginnings in backpacker hostels and boarding houses to creating some of the country’s most iconic boutique hotels.
Known for his unorthodox approach and ability to see potential in overlooked markets, Paul dives deep into the highs and lows of his career, the art of adaptive reuse and how he built a unique brand of welcoming, design-driven hotels.
You’ll learn:
• How Paul fell into the hotel industry by accident, beginning with property deals and evolving into a hospitality visionary
• How Paul navigated setbacks and used creativity to transform struggling properties into vibrant, welcoming spaces
• Paul’s thoughts on the evolution of boutique hotels and why he believes in making design more accessible and inviting, rather than exclusive and pretentious
• The importance of hiring the right people and empowering them, often bringing in staff with little to no hotel experience but a passion for hospitality
• Insights into the design decisions behind some of Paul’s notable projects, including the game-changing move of placing lobbies on rooftops and making spaces that guests truly enjoy
• The future of hotels in Australia: Paul shares his perspective on the current state of the hotel industry, where it’s heading, and why he believes there’s still room for more innovation in boutique hospitality.
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