In this edition of Hello Honey, James and Tamara Lohan share their thoughts on 'boutique' hotels, best Asian cities, travel tips, and running a business as a couple.
Behind every successful man is a strong woman who keeps him in check… or was it the other way around? But no matter, ’cos when it comes to the power couple of James and Tamara Lohan, their roles are of equal significance when running their strongly successful luxury and boutique hotel booking service, Mr and Mrs Smith. Whether you’re looking for a hotel with a private pool or a beach in reach, or one perfect for summer vacays and honeymoons, Mr and Mrs Smith will savvily point you in the right direction with their list of almost a thousand luxury and boutique hotels all around the world. Sounds tough, huh? We thought so too. So we decided to shine our Hello Honey spotlight on these two traveling workaholics, to find out how they make it all work, essential travel tips, favourite Asian cities… and even who would make a better spy.
James and Tamara click extremely well on a professional level
Tamara: I believe the reason we get on so well and can work together is that we do very different things. I admire James’ creativity – the way Mr & Mrs Smith looks, sounds and feels is all down to him. I couldn’t do it without him.
James: Our skills are opposite, and that means we can have open and frank discussions about areas of the business without treading on each other’s toes. We share the same passion for getting sh*t done.
Despite the occasional pet peeves…
T: I have none with James – he’s perfect in every way!
J: If I had to pick one thing, it would be that Tamara’s on her phone too much.
They wanna keep on expanding despite having nearly a thousand hotels listed
T: Japan is high on my list. Not only does it have that culture-shock exhilaration for Westerners, but it also has stunning scenery, some of the finest food and great skiing in winter.
J: Definitely in India – we’re hoping to launch a new collection of hotels there later this year, and I think the whole country is having a real renaissance as a destination.
Their three favourite Asian cities
T & J: Our number one is Singapore for its arresting architecture, family-friendly atmosphere and dazzling food scene. Then, it would have to be Hong Kong for crazy foot massages, amazing dim sum and one of our favourite city hotels in the world: The Upper House. Third would be Tokyo – always a draw, but there are a flurry of new developments before they host the next Olympics to add to its excitement (and there’s the cool and calming Claska hotel too).
Their holidays are essentially work
T: Holidays and work merge into one for us. We haven’t been on a holiday yet that hasn’t involved hotel visits, meetings with general managers and some room tours but that comes with the territory and we do get to see some incredible pages so I’m not complaining
Yet there are still some getaways that they hold dear
T: Our family holiday this year was in Thailand at Soneva Kiri. It had something for everyone: a genuinely great kids club, the best Thai food I’ve tasted anywhere (courtesy of chef Khun Benz), a stunning beach and an inspiring eco-centre that manages to turn waste into wealth.
J: Last year, we went to Brazil and stayed at Uxua Casa in Trancoso. The hotel is a breathtaking 12-bedroom property – the owner (the former creative director of Diesel) has styled everything perfectly, even designing and building all the furniture himself. A hidden-gem hideaway in a beautiful and unusual destination.
Their standards for quality accommodation aren’t extravagant
T: I think a hotel just needs to be better than your own home, but at the same time, needs to make you feel at home. That’s a tricky balance to achieve.
J: I just look for hotels with thoughtful touches (and I’m not talking about chocolates on the pillow…).
They don’t agree that technology is always the answer
T & J: A hotel we visited recently had given every member of staff a phone, and told them to communicate with each other via some messenger-based system. But to anyone wandering around the grounds, it looked like every employee was on their phone texting their friends and ignoring the guests. An example of technology getting in the way rather than solving a problem.
They honestly think ‘boutique’ is a saturated word
T & J: Definitely. It has been over-used, and by the wrong people. When we started the business, it was our job to uncover unique places to stay. Nowadays, our job is to sort the wheat from the chaff, and curate the best hotels from all those that claim to be ‘boutique’.
They still manage to get a kick out of traveling
T: I love getting away from the day-to-day; the sense of adventure you get by doing something different. I get that any time I leave home, whether it’s just a short hop from London to Paris or an overnight flight to Asia. I love finding a hotel that has done something different, unique and with a real sense of place.
J: We’re fortunate that we often get to meet the owners of the hotels we stay in, so we get the inside track. I get a kick out of hearing their stories and how they’ve set up their own businesses.
Their must-have travel essentials
T: I won’t go anywhere now without a small bottle of Altitude Oil made by De Mamiel, my Dr Lipp lip balm, and my Hey Jo leggings (perfect for long flights).
J: My Master & Dynamics headphones .
They might have the secrets of unwinding and letting go on a holiday… or do they?
T: Unfortunately, I’m guilty as charged: travel is also our work, so we never fully switch off. I find that doing half-an-hour to an hour’s work on holiday each day, and keeping on top of the most important things makes me relax mor,e because I know I’m not going home to any nasty surprises or a swamped inbox. As a business owner, I can’t imagine being completely cut off from the business!
J: Well, I’m a massage junkie.
If they were like Hollywood’s Mr and Mrs Smith, the better spy would be…
T: If it involves shooting, then definitely James: he has a much better eye than me! Plus, he asks more questions than I do. He’s also naturally more inquisitive, and good at putting people at ease and getting things out of them.
To find and book the best luxury and boutique hotels around the world, visit Mr and Mrs Smith.