Oak Tree Press, Ireland's leading business book publisher, launches DANCING AT THE FOUNTAIN: IN
CONVERSATION WITH WORLD-LEADING HOTELIERS, a unique book of conversations and interviews by Conor
Kenny, a leading hotel and hospitality learning and development expert. The hoteliers interviewed in the book
include: Kiaran MacDonald, The Savoy Hotel, London; Philippe Leboeuf, Mandarin Oriental, Paris; Nathalie
SeilerHayez, The Connaught Hotel, London; Michael Davern, The K Club, Ireland; Bernard Murphy, Gleneagles,
Scotland; Greg Liddell, The Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona; Luc Delafosse, Hôtel de Crillon, Paris. Between them,
these seven hoteliers have run some of the world's most iconic and well-known hotels: Āman Resorts; Carlyle
Hotel, New York; Claridge's, London; Connaught Hotel, London; Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, Arizona; Fairmont
Waterfront, Vancouver; Fancourt, South Africa; Gleneagles Hotel, Scotland; Hotel Burj Al Arab, Dubai; Hôtel de
Crillon, Paris; Hôtel du Louvre, Paris; Hôtel Lutetia, Paris; Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong; Mandarin
Oriental, Barcelona; Mandarin Oriental, Paris; Sandy Lane, Barbados; The K Club, Kildare; The Ritz Hotel, London;
The Savoy Hotel, London; and Waldorf Astoria, Beverly Hills. Their stories are unique, sometimes emotional,
always deeply personal and absolutely absorbing: greeting the great and the good, from presidents and heads of
state to pop celebrities; quelling rioters by serving them breakfast; hosting the Ryder Cup golf tournament; dealing
with bomb threats and possible evacuation of an entire hotel the morning Nelson Mandela is due to arrive; managing
egos; opening new hotels and reviving the old, while still keeping the spirit that made them great. While all of the
interviewees share the distinction of managing the best hotels in the world, their career paths are as individual as
their stories. Unsurprisingly, hard work features in the hoteliers' meteoric career rises – as does a focus on service,
attention to detail and a love of people, guests and staff alike. Their insight on the future of luxury hotels also
makes compelling reading from a rarely-heard source. DANCING AT THE FOUNTAIN takes its name from one of the
hoteliers' stories. Luc Delafosse explains: "On the way out of The Burj Al Arab, at the top of the escalators, we
passed near the fountain with the sequenced water display like a 'musical' show. Arriving at the fountain, Michael
Jackson started to follow the tempo, snapping his fingers and suddenly started dancing around the fountain –
unique! Special and fantastic!" The book will make fascinating reading for anyone interested in a glimpse behind-
the-scenes of the very best hotels in the world. It will be especially valuable for today's hotel managers as well as
upcoming hoteliers who want to understand how the best hotels are run and what took these seven people to the
very top of their industry. The book provides a unique perspective on the world of luxury and caring for the rich and
the famous through the eyes of those who run some of the world's iconic hotels. Conor Kenny, author, commented:
"This is the first time a book like this has been written, focusing exclusively on the behind-the-scenes men and
women who make great hotels happen. These hoteliers share their perspective because they are leaders who
understand the importance of legacy, vision and education. DANCING AT THE FOUNTAIN condenses their experience,
advice and stories into one original book that is simply a 'must read' for anyone who aspires to excellence in the
hospitality industry". Web: www.dancingatthefountain.com Twitter: @greathoteliers DANCING AT THE FOUNTAIN: IN
CONVERSATION WITH WORLD-LEADING HOTELIERS, by Conor Kenny, is available in hardback (ISBN 978-1-78119-
208-5, price €29.95, stg£22.95, US$37.95) from SuccessStore.com and good bookshops from 25 November 2015.
CONOR KENNY is Principal at Conor Kenny & Associates, which he founded in 2002. His skill is teaching and training
the art of Business, Sales and Marketing to the Service, Hospitality and Small Business sectors and growing the
talent within. For interviews with the hoteliers, an excerpt from the book or a review copy, please contact: Brian
O'Kane, Oak Tree Press , T: + 353 86 244 1633, E:[email protected]