Don't Call Me Moneypenny

Jul 6 2008 By Raymond Hainey

Iris Keeps Secrets Of Two 007s So You Want A Job In Tourism

NOT many people get the chance to take care of not one but two James Bonds.

But like Miss Moneypenny, Iris Marhencke is licensed to look after the every need of 007s Sean Connery and Pierce Brosnan.

She is guest relations manager at Gleneagles Hotel and it's her job to greet the hotel's famous guests and make sure they get whatever they want during their stay.

She started her working life in the plush Atlantic Hotel in Hamburg, which took a starring role in a Bond movie - Pierce Brosnan's 007 stayed there at the start of The World Is Not Enough.

Iris said: "I went back recently and insisted the manager showed me the suite Bond used.

"It's a beautiful hotel but nothing beats Gleneagles, really."

German-born Iris came to the Perthshire retreat 12 years ago and quickly discovered that another Bond, Sean Connery, was a regular visitor along with Hollywood legends Steven Spielberg and Harrison Ford and F1 ace Sir Jackie Stewart.

Iris said: "The job is all about making sure the guests at Gleneagles are happy with our service as Scotland's leading five star hotel.

"My role is really to make sure that the hotel's reputation and standards are recognised among guests and the hotel industry as the best there is."

In her years at Gleneagles, Iris has sourced West Highland terrier pups for wealthy visitors and arranged a private dinner in a Scottish castle - complete with a Duke and Duchess as hosts - for millionaire Russian tourists.

She said: "We have seen children of regular guests grow up over the years. We have even had guests ask for advice about private schools in Scotland for their children, so I've arranged visits for them to schools.

"It's a great job but it's pretty much full on all the time."

Iris, 40, started off at Gleneagles as a receptionist, moved to a luxury boutique hotel in Paris for a year then came back for a three-year stint as a supervisor.

She moved on again in 1999 and took a hospitality degree but returned in 2001 as a duty manager and became guest services manager in 2003. Now she wouldn't swap her career for the world.

She said: "I'd definitely recommend a career in hotels because it's a great way to experience the top end of the service industry. You meet so many people from all walks of life.

"Gleneagles is five star and there is very good career progression for people who are alert and capable.

"You don't have to have a degree - you can come in with an industry training scheme and within a few years be at a very good level.

"A lot will be thrown at you - working hours are long and Christmas and New Year is usually spent at work - but it's like a big family."

Iris advises anyone interested in a hotel career to check out the Gleneagles website.

She said: "Most other five star companies operate similar schemes, with tailor-made food and front-of-house training programmes."

And her personal tip for the next generation of hoteliers is to learn Mandarin or Hindi because India and China are the future growth markets for luxury hotels.