Meet our new Estate Manager – Nick Paul. Nick comes with an excellent track record in the hospitality industry and we wish him every success as he gets to grips with running our beautiful estate.

We asked Nick to tell us more about himself and this is what he wrote:

“I am a born and bred Capetonian – growing up in the southern suburbs, completing my schooling at SACS. I have a love for people, food and wine and in my spare time I enjoy cooking and entertaining family and friends and belong to a dinner club trying new restaurants and new menus. I enjoy cards and am a member of a bridge group that plays weekly.

My passion for people and food led me into the hospitality industry at a young age, where I worked during school holidays at a guest house on the West Coast. After completing a 3-year diploma in Hospitality Management, I worked in various hotels gaining broad experience across all divisions and ultimately ran the Front of House department at the Alphen Hotel in Constantia. I was offered the General Manager position at Ferryman’s Tavern in the V&A Waterfront, which has given me excellent practical experience in Food and Beverage. After nearly 5 years in the restaurant industry, I wanted to broaden my knowledge and accepted a position at the Cape Town International Convention Centre as the Site Manager. Here, I was responsible for the entire part-time work force at the centre. I learnt to handle large volumes of staff and clients, whilst still delivering the five star treatment expected at the CTICC.

I decided to return to the hotel segment of the industry and accepted the position of Hotel Manager at the Constantia Uitsig Hotel and Spa. This Wine Estate is internationally known and consisted of two award winning restaurants, Uitsig Restaurant and La Colombe. Following this I was employed as the General Manager of the Grand Daddy Boutique Hotel in the CBD of Cape Town. I was brought in to oversee the total revamp of the Rooftop of the hotel. This included the SkyBar, Pink Flamingo Rooftop Cinema and the 7 Airstream Trailers. We guttered all the airstream trailers, refurbished them with new layouts, themes and restored them to the original state. My previous position was Resident Manager of the Premier Hotel Cape Town in Sea Point. Here, I oversaw all the operations of the hotel as well assisting with the two revamps of the hotel.

I look forward to joining The Somerset and meeting everyone once this lock-down period is over. Stay safe!”

To read more about The Lord Somerset Clubhouse, click here.