Special Report Who’s Who In Real Estate: Bill Walshe

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Bill Walshe came to Los Angeles just last summer, but he quickly established himself as an important personality in the local hotel industry by taking the reins at Viceroy Hotel Group, a luxury hotel brand with offices in downtown Los Angeles. Walshe has worked for more than 20 years in the luxury hotel industry and is now pushing Viceroy’s national and international expansion agendas. Viceroy manages four hotels in Los Angeles: L’Ermitage Beverly Hills, Avalon Beverly Hills, Viceroy Santa Monica and Le Meridian Delfina Santa Monica.

When and how did you get started in the hotel business?

I started in the hotel business at age 14 out of a desire to make money to buy music. My uncle owned a guesthouse in Ireland and needed someone to help out with various tasks – taking out the trash, etc. – and I made it work around my school schedule. I then started working in a local hotel in various positions, including as a DJ in the in-house nightclub, and knew I would never do anything else. I have always been a hotelier and will always be.

What do you like about the L.A. hotel market? How does it compare to other major U.S. markets?

The L.A. hotel market is great and we love it. L.A. customers exhibit a unique level of sophistication and are trendsetters in many ways. Our restaurants, bars and rooms have a strong local following. Many of the ideas we test here become brand standards across our entire portfolio. There is heavy demand for L.A. right now, and our positioning has proved relevant to the entertainment, fashion and creative segments, which gives us an advantage.

How do you decide where to open a hotel? How do you decide what developer/flag to partner with?

Our guests decide where we open our next hotels. Where they go, they demand we follow. Next up will be the opening of Viceroy New York. We choose to work with development partners who share our passion for individuality, authenticity and connectivity to the local community.

What makes hotels a good investment now? How long do you see the construction boom lasting? Why?

Hotels with individuality that provide an opportunity for guests to create lifelong memories are where there is an opportunity to drive premium returns right now. However, modern luxury consumers will not compromise substance for style; they demand both. We are hosts, first and always, but we articulate great hotel-keeping in a way that is relevant to guests seeking a contemporary interpretation of an amazing hotel stay. The L.A. hotel market is buoyant and shows no signs of slowing down.

What’s the most challenging part of your job?

Our greatest challenge is ensuring that we have identified today the next generation of leaders for tomorrow. We have amazing young talent in our company and I have the privilege of molding that talent for future success.

What is the most rewarding?

Knowing that thousands of people have banked memories that will last them a lifetime from the experiences that they have every day at our hotels is very rewarding. I think we enrich people’s lives, and that is a huge responsibility.

What is your favorite hotel that you have not been part of?

I have many but my current favorite is Finca Cortesin near Sotogrande in Spain. An amazing hotel with a truly great golf course, they deliver absolute casual luxury and have the best breakfast in Europe.

– Bethany Firnhaber

Operator

Bill Walshe

Title: Chief Executive

Company: Viceroy Hotel Group

Location: Downtown Los Angeles | Age: 46

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