Хотел

by Arthur Hailey

Зад бляскавата фасада на хотел "Сейнт Грегъри" се разиграват тайни страсти и сделки за милиони. Рулетката се завърта и въвлича в интиргата крупни банкери и бизнесмени, висши аристократи и хора извън закона. И само за пет дни хотелът сменя собственика си, посланикът на Великобритания, уличен в престъпление, загива в асансьора, а шокиращите разкрития и неочакваните обрати, безспорен патент на Артър Хейли, ви оставят без дъх до самия финал.

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Classics, Mystery, Drama, Crime, Novels

430 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1965

About the author

Arthur Hailey was a British/Canadian novelist. After working at a number of jobs and writing part-time, he became a writer full-time during 1956, encouraged by the success of the CBC television drama, Flight into Danger (in print as Runway Zero Eight ). Following the success of Hotel in 1965, he moved to California; followed by a permanent move to the Bahamas in 1969.

Each of his novels has a different industrial or commercial setting and includes, in addition to dramatic human conflict, carefully researched information about the way that particular environment and system functions and how these affect society and its inhabitants.

Critics often dismissed Hailey's success as the result of a formulaic "potboiler" style, in which he caused an ordinary character to become involved in a crisis, then increased the suspense by switching among multiple related plot lines.

Hailey would spend approximately one year researching a subject, followed by six months reviewing his notes and, finally, about 18 months writing the book.

Many of his books reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and more than 170 million copies have been sold worldwide in 40 languages. Many have been made into movies and Hotel was made into a long-running television series. Airport became a successful film with dramatic visual effects.

A Canadian citizen whose children live in Canada and California, Hailey made his home in Lyford Cay, an exclusive residential resort on New Providence Island in the Bahamas with his second wife Sheila.

In 2002, Hailey told John Marquis, editor of the Bahamas' principal daily newspaper The Tribune, that he was lucky in having supportive parents who encouraged him to believe in himself. Brought up in a working-class home, Hailey never lost the common touch following his phenomenal success. 'I have worked hard, but I have also been very lucky,' he said.

Reviews

[Arah-Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

While conducting research for the writing of this novel, Arthur Hailey spent two months as a paying guest at the Roosevelt Hotel in New Orleans.  The owner of the Roosevelt, the late Seymour Weiss, instructed his department heads to answer Hailey’s questions honestly and without holding back and urged them to direct their staff to do the same.  Hailey believes that Weiss had become weary of his hotel and the corruption that had seized it.    The Roosevelt still exists, only these days it is called the Fairmont.  I found it interesting to research this hotel in New Orleans as I was reading the book.

So onto the story.  Basically what Hailey has done is focused on five hot and humid days in the Louisiana summer of 1964, at a New Orleans luxury hotel called the The St. Gregory.  The principal character in this story is Peter McDermott, who is the assistant general manager of the hotel.  Through him we meet other members of the staff and some of the noteworthy guests.  

And these are not just any five days at the St. Gregory, for in exactly that period of time the twenty year old mortgage on the hotel is due for renewal.  Problem is that so far no-one was willing to renew it.  Warren Trent, the owner was becoming increasingly concerned about his last remaining option, which was to sell his beloved hotel; his lifetime achievement.  Naturally there  are reasons that financial institutions are reluctant to pick up or renew the mortgage.  In short,  the St. Gregory was poorly managed, which was having a negative impact on the bottom line.

Peter McDermott knows very well that corruption runs rampant among the many different departments and staff of the hotel.  Given a free hand, he would clean house and put things right, but he has long since become frustrated with his efforts in getting Warren Trent to see or even acknowledge the problems, particularly as they involved certain key members of staff or long held hotel policies..

Hailey seamlessly weaves the management of a large and luxurious establishment together with the lives and eccentricities of it's many guests.  There is never a dull moment and although Hotel cannot help but be dated, (first published in 1965) I have no doubt that many of the challenges faced in this story continue to plague similar establishments to this very day.  As this story reaches its screeching, chilling conclusion it may have you rethinking which amenities you wish to avail yourself of on your next visit to a large and splendid hotel of yesteryear.  

[Literally Lesia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Це навіть краще, ніж «Аеропорт». Всім героям починаєш співпереживати з перших сторінок, не байдуже, що станеться з готелем і яка його історія. Дуже динамічно, а фінал хоч і дуже cheesy, комусь може і не сподобатися, однак я відношуся дотоієі категорії людей, кому все сподобалося. Абсолютно кожна рушниця, котру вішає Гейлі протягом книжки, вистрілює. Слідкуйте за всіма деталями. Пʼятизіркове чтиво!

[Debbie W. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reasons I liked this story:
1. The setting is the St. Gregory Hotel in 1960's New Orleans. The civil rights movement plays a part in this story and desegregation is thoughtfully looked at considering this book was published in 1965 (the reason why I shelved it as "Contemporary Fiction" rather than "Historical Fiction").
2. Incredibly well-researched story! I sure learned a lot about the inner workings of a hotel and have developed a new appreciation for all the behind-the-scenes!
3. Excellent plot! Fast-paced and suspenseful to the end!
4. Well-developed antagonists! I especially enjoyed reading about "Keycase" Milne and his story as a professional thief. How he plotted robberies, cased hotels, gained entry, dealt with incriminating evidence - all quite intriguing! Go, Keycase!

Reasons why I thought this story was "meh":
1. Protagonist Peter McDermott - although I rooted for him in his professional role, personally, he was a sexist pig! He really enjoyed the attentions from attractive females, but he wouldn't think of "hitting" on his personal secretary, Flora (an extremely competent worker, by the way), because she was in her 40s (Peter is 32) and somewhat unfortunate-looking. And why can't Christine be his new assistant general manager? Why does it have to be another male? Which brings me to ...
2. Christine Francis (personal assistant to the owner) - one of the main characters, but too one-dimensional. I would have liked to hear her story!
3. Love triangle between Christine-Peter-nineteen-year old (Ewww!) Marsha - too cheesy and irritating! Grow up, Peter!
4. The author was inconsistent when writing Frenchman sous-chef Andre Lemieux's English dialect (sometimes he would drop the "h" from the beginning of words, sometimes not, among other niggling dialect issues).

I remember watching the TV series back in the 1980s based on this book starring James Brolin. Overall, I enjoyed this story because in my opinion, the pros outweigh the cons.

[W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hotel established Hailey as one of the bestselling authors in the world.It also became a TV mini series.

As in most Hailey books,there are several intriguing subplots. One man is at the centre of it all,Peter McDermott,the hotel's assistant general manager.

The hotel's owner struggles with financial difficulties as a business rival tries to buy him out and make the hotel a part of his own chain.He is accompanied by a Hollywood starlet,who reminded me in some ways of Marilyn Monroe.

A thief is on the prowl,looking for his opportunity. There is a hit and run case involving a couple of hotel guests and an unscrupluous house detective.

A black man is barred from attending a dentists' convention,and it nearly becomes a crisis. A girl is assaulted and a mysterious guest falls seriously ill. Meanwhile,the hotel's employees are all on the lookout to make a fast buck.

The story moves along briskly. It all comes together in an explosive,unforgettable climax.

[Ivan Skyba · Rating 4 out of 5]

Більше дописів та інфи в моєму авторському блозі - "Ласкаво просимо в Касл-Рок, штат Мен"

"Готель" Артура Гейлі - роман цікавий, читається легко, герої симпатичні та фактурні. Але, для людини, яка читала до цього хоча б одну книгу автора, персонажі можуть здатися передбачуваними, дуже схожими на минулий досвід.

Так, персонажі дуже схожі. Протагоністи - так точно. Їх шлях в романі, перипетії, потенційні любовні трикутники. Я спостерігав за менеджером Пітером і просто бачив у ньому завідувача хірургії Кента з "Остаточного діагнозу" . Виникало питання - це брати-близнюки чи просто брати?

Між іншими героями тут також можна поставити купу паралелей. Є ветерани індустрії, які тримаються за архаїчні порядки і відстають від тенденцій часу, і сумлінні працівники з бездоганною репктацією та досвідом, і нечисті на руху пройдисвіти, і старожили, які користуються положенням, але на ділі - безнадійно тупі.

Одним словом, мені здається, що автор користується сталим набором героїв і робить в них косметичні правки під конкретну тему книги.

Треба ще "Аеропорт" прочитати, щоб упевнитись у цій думці.

Противники моєї думки скажуть, що всі письменники, так чи інакше, маніпулюють схожими героями, а я просто сварю Гейлі.

Я його не сварю. Проте, автор тут не особливо запарювався з варіативністю - я хочу донести саме цю думку.

Тепер пояснюю за оцінку.

В іншому, "Готель" - комфортне та цікаве чтиво з цікавими сюжетними лініями та несподіваними поворотами.

Останні 80 сторінок - квінтесенція напруги, сходження сюжетних ліній в один потужний клубок, підведення підсумків та фінал, який мені запам'ятається надовго.

Знімаю капелюха перед автором за те, як добре він розібрався в темі. Опис роботи готелю - просто бездоганний. Я не дуже люблю читати довгі описи - частенько вони нудьгуваті. Але тут випадок протилежний - опис механіки роботи готельної кухні з авральними таймінгами мені запам'ятається надовго. Взагалі - браво. Недаремно перед написанням роману Гейлі розібрав по цеглинкам 27 книг із готельної справи.

Результат: "Готель" Артура Гейлі - дуже цікава книга, варта прочитання. Для знайомства з творчістю автора даний роман підійде краще, ніж "Остаточний діагноз" . Але типаж героїв дуже і дуже схожий - варто бути до цього готовим.

[Maksym Valevatyi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Колись Гомер Сімпсон розповідав:
"У Барта були проблеми з поведінкою, вагітну Мардж постійно нудило, я мусив ходити на роботу, але я примудрявся по вісім годин на день дивитися телевізора".
Я примудрився прочитати "Готель" за три дні, точніше - ночі. (Ніхто не вагітний, порівняння не досконале).

Анотація позначає Гейлі як майстра виробничого роману. Отже, роман про те, як працює готель. Це тло всіх драм, що розгортаються:
- старий бізнесмен, якого вичавлюють із бізнесу
- молодий адміністратор, який намагається подолати стару неефективну "систему"
- донька багатія, яка закохується ніби принцеса-каприза
- старий забобонний крадій, який втратив сміливість у своїй справі
- герцог і герцогиня, які влипли у гидку історію
- чорношкірий вчений, якого принизливо не впустили до готелю (події мають місце у південному штаті США у 60-х роках)
І ще багато історій, драм, трагедій різних людей, пов'язаних чотирма днями в готелі.

Гейлі майстерно описує епізоди, які ніби самоцінні у характеристиці персонажа чи роботи якоїсь служби готелю, але потім мають величезні наслідки. Зокрема, це стосується реагування адміністрації на складні ситуації і скарги клієнтів.
Епізод про те, як працівники готелю реагували на приступ бронхіальної астми у гостя, я вважаю, взагалі треба ставити в хрестоматії з клієнтського сервісу.
Епізоди з роботою кухні і з поламкою ліфта - у хрестоматії з менеджменту.
І в цю ж хрестоматію безліч дрібних епізодів, які показують, як гниє зсередини стара зашкарубла корпоративна культура, як вона вбиває великий і успішний бізнес. Моторошна історія.

Український перекла�� ще 70-х років Мара Пінчевського. Одне слово - чудовий. Я просто збагатився, ніби знайшов якійсь скарб, захований у советські часи:)

Отже, хочете почитати просто цікавий детектив, любовну драму, бізнес-кейс, чи посмакувати гарну мову з цікавим сюжетом, чи знайти ідеї та наснагу для аналізу корпоративної культури, непомітних механізмів бізнесу - дуже раджу "Готель" Гейлі.

[Курило Євген · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10⭐
Ця книга читачеві надається можливість побачити як працює готель з середини. І як на мене це дуже цікаво. Тут досить багато персонажів, у кожного своя історія, характер, свої проблеми, життєві цінності, переконання та погляди. У книзі одночасно розвиваються декілька сюжетних ліній, які в кінці гармонійно та логічного об'єднуються, що призводить до неочікуванного фіналу. Та завдяки тому що за всім цим було дуже приємно та цікаво спостерігати, книга читається на одному диханні.

[Pooja Peravali · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot can happen at a hotel in five days.

I am obsessed with behind-the-scene peeks into places, so this book that so clearly shows us the inner workings of a hotel was very enjoyable for that. I liked the way that the plot-lines were all woven together, and enjoyed the complex greys of the characters actions. However, I found some elements predictable, the female characters one-dimensional, and found the brief relationship between a nineteen-year-old girl and the thirty-something protagonist troubling, even if they only shared a kiss or two.

[Anushree · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5)

“No. I wish to cancel that order and place another”.
“Yes Ma’am.”

When we generally say this in the hotels and restaurants and promptly another dish is served (or not served for whatever reasons) do we ever sit back and wonder what goes on behind the scenes? Sometimes we perhaps do, but what we imagine is probably only 1/100th of the actual hassle the hotel staff must have undergone to make that one thing available, not counting making it look absolutely hassle-free.

Arthur Hailey’s “Hotel” takes us through one such hotel in a detailed, rather immensely elaborate story. This one has multiple characters and inter-woven plots that somehow converge, to make a distinctly riveting narrative. This was my 100th book of 2017 and incidentally 1st of Hailey’s – couldn’t have been a better choice than this for my Popsugar prompt of “A Book set in a Hotel”.
The book took me back to my initial reading days when an exciting plot made up most of the story, with very little attention of the reader towards the language or other nuances. (Just to be clear, I am not discrediting the language here just that one doesn’t focus on that much). At the same time, I believe, Hailey’s “TV-Series’ish” tale was a good combination of character arcs and some bitter rumination of the Civil Rights’ Movement during the time (1964 to be precise), as well as subjects such as commercialism, capitalism, morality and loyalty. The role of women is sketched, perhaps, looking at those times. They don’t have a major story-line. That said there is certainly an aura of strength in the women, especially Dodo, who has been given a stereotype of a “dumb blonde”, but by the end of it all, looks like is much more than what she appears to be. There is no dramatization of reality. There is a vigorous portrayal of a need to be ethical and the conundrum associated with it when it comes to running certain major establishments and institutions especially in an age of fiscal boom.

Peter McDermott is a resourceful young assistant manager at St. Gregory, one of the oldest hotels of New Orleans. The owner of St. Gregory, Warren Trent, still believes in the values of customer service and human touch. Most of his patrons are a return-clientele and a many staff members are the ones who were employed by him right when the hotel was only a small inn. He has been refusing to give in to the phenomenon of chain-hotels which has engulfed the country - until of course now. St. Gregory is not doing great - with respect to management and finances. There is also tremendous level of debauchery going on at the ground level, the extent of which is hidden from Trent owing to his misplaced trust in his older staff. McDermott knows all of this and wants to change the way things are run, but owing to the obstinate nature of his employer has only failed so far.

The book starts on a busy Monday morning inside the hotel and we see Peter trying to tackle multiple things at a time. There is an intermittent moaning being heard from a room, a suspicion of a possible orgy in another one, a customer service issue raised by one of the wealthiest clients of the hotel, another sort of disturbance on one of the floors, an elevator issue and then there is his employer, who we see is quite worried because of a mortgage due for renewal by the end of the same week which is not a happy news. The bankers have issued a due date for foreclosure with an amount of $2mn.

The story takes us through various occurrences in the hotel for that full week and comes to a chilling climax. Some stuff is cliché and predictable but for some reason I wasn’t disappointed. Sometimes clichés make really good stories like this one. It doesn’t have any great interpretational requirement, neither is there a thrill of guessing any perpetrator, and yet, the reader wishes to know “What next?”

I have my gripes of course, which is why the lesser number of stars. Some details could have been curtailed. The intricate details of the working of an incinerator or an elevator sometimes become a tad bit drudged and unnecessary. We know these two machines will play a major part later after the first few lines and yet Hailey spends lengthy passages to drive the point home. There was a little disappointment somewhere with respect to one character. Nevertheless, I will read Hailey again simply because of the extensive research that Hailey put on show in this one.
(Trivia: Hailey resided in Hotel Roosevelt in New Orleans in 1964 to research for this book)
Would love to hear your thoughts if you have read this book or any other book by Arthur Hailey.

[Tanya Fabrychenko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Наче читаєш і знаєш наперед, що буде відбуватись, але відірватись не можеш. І так оп - уже 7 ранку, і залишилось 10 сторінок.
Це як якісний одноразовий голлівудський фільм: передивлюватись не будеш, але й шкодувати, що подивився, також.

[Emiliya Bozhilova · Rating 4 out of 5]

Наскоро гледах сериал, озаглавен “Романтичният доктор”. Каква беше романтиката ли? Да бъдеш добър професионалист и добър човек се оказа романтичното послание. Каква е връзката с тази книга ли? Никаква, освен че посланието в книгата е съвсем същото.

Има нещо приятно старомодно, уютно и - да, романтично - в този роман на Хейли. Бизнеслогиката на живота е попътен вятър в платната само когато е в синхрон с грижата от и към околните - семейство, колеги, бизнеспартньори, клиенти... И успехът е дефиниран като равновесие между двете. Сюжетът е на моменти леко наивен, но така романтичен!

4,5 звезди

[Tetiana Kostiuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5/5

Сподобалась ця неспішна оповідь (всього 4,5 дні).
Якщо ви, як я, переживали, що буде нудно від довгих описів - то ні, там все в міру і складається враження, що ти стоїш десь збоку в самому готелі і за всім спостерігаєш. Дуже атмосферно.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arthur Hailey brings a great story to readers with this well-crafted novel. In the heart of New Orleans, the St. Gregory Hotel sits and does a bustling business. While things look elite on the outside, the hotel’s owner has only a handful of days to raise enough funds to ensure things do not go belly-up, forcing some tough decisions and quick ideas. One crisis after another plagues the general manager, from rooms being burgled, to guests being involved in a criminal matter, and even an event that sheds a scandalous human rights light upon hotel policy. The St. Gregory is always active and many of these storylines collide in ways that the reader is left with a highly entertaining read. Another Arthur Hailey gem sure to impress many!

Arthur Hailey is an author whose work I am only just discovering. This story presents a wonderful glimpse into the world of hotel stays and daily decision-making. It builds with a variety of narrative approaches, all of which flavour and enrich the larger story. Momentum gains traction with each chapter, broken into subparts to keep things even more edgy, as they push new angles to leave the reader completely ensconced with the themes on offer. Hailey uses some dramatic spins and great storytelling to ensure the reader flips pages until all is revealed. This is one book whose ideas mesh well and keep the reader wondering.

Characters are impactful as they set about creating their own backstories and development. Readers may enjoy the varied personalities and sentiments they offer throughout the story, or focus on a single one of their own interest . Many characters advance the plot of their own matters while flavouring the piece to highlight new layers. Having some of these characters come together at various points pushes a strong sentiment about the importance that Hailey places on the larger story. Hailey knows how to connect his cast with the attentive reader without sharing too much at any one time!

Surprises are core in a story of this nature, as it begs to create an entertaining foundation. While the reader can see certain things beforehand, twists embedded in the narrative add something more to the reading experience and provide the unpredictable for the reader to ponder. While Hailey keeps the major storylines separate, the tension spills into the other domain to ensure a degree of connectivity, as well as touching on ideas important when he penned the book originally, though they are still fresh and poignant today. The reader surely waits to see what’s coming, only to be offered a brilliant cliffhanger or two. I loved this book and wished I had known of the author’s sooner, as I could have read and praised them at that time.

Kudos, Mr. Hailey, for another great story about something completely unique.

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

[Volpe Nera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Прям в серденько запала ця книга ❤️

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disclaimer: ARC read via Netgalley courtesy of Open Road Integrated Media.

I am old enough (or young enough depending on your viewpoint) to vaguely remember seeing commercials for the television series based on this novel. So I admit reading this was somewhat more of an interest of why did people love/like enough for it to be a television series.

I’m not sure what the answer to my question is, but I must admit this was better than I thought it would be.

Hotel takes place in the 60s, just at the start of the Civil Rights Movement. It is about a hotel (duh) in New Orleans that is going through a crisis. The story shifts between hotel owner, staff, guests, and a would be buyer. The strength in the book isn’t the plot, which to be frank, is rather predictable from the first chapter to the end, but the characters. The book functions more as a believable character study more than anything else. I have to give him props for the character of Dodo is not really a dumb blonde at all, though her story arc was cliché.

The book also is very much a product of its time in terms of the woman characters who are in the standard jobs (if they have a job at all). But this is made up for the relationship between the hotel’s manager Peter, and Royce, an African American law student whose relationship with the owner/ president of the hotel, Trent, seems to be a holdover not only from Royce’s father but slave days. This is made more problematic because Trent refuses to desegregate the hotel. And it is this plot point that makes the most interesting read, at least from today’s standpoint.

If this were a true Hollywood movie, at by today’s production teams, it would end with Trent realizing the errors of his ways, Peter and Royce becoming BBFs, and the hotel allowing lower income inner city former gang members to work there.

The book isn’t today’s Hollywood.

While the desegregation issues are handled with typical Hollywood dramatic flair, its outcome is more realistic and nuanced. This makes up for the predictable plot elements like the sick guest, the stealing, the hanky panky and spanky, and the murder plot.

Additionally, Hailey’s restrained prose makes the book read more like an HBO series than a daytime soap opera. While it is not a book, I don’t think I would buy (it really isn’t my thing), it was enjoyable, and far more so than the Dan Simmons book I was reading at the same time. In fact, I kept putting that book down to read this. If you like soap operas, this is enough romance and angst here to keep you happy as well.


Crossposted at Booklikes.

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a good little story, this - who would have thought you could make the daily runnings of a hotel that interesting?
Despite the odd crazy cliche the characters here are excellent, given that it's only a shortish book and not exactly heavily philosophical or anything too deep. I feel I'm doing it a disservice here actually: the characters, 2 or 3 of them in particular, are rather excellent in their own right.

A well paced (and getting right into the thick of things early on) and enlightening tale, it is very obvious that Mr Hailey, when researching this book, spent a lot of time in large hotels and gleaned an awful lot of inside knowledge on the industry and operation of these vast complexes, if he didn't somehow have it all up there already. The result is an insight into hotel management of the period in the United States, and is thoroughly fascinating, brought to our attention by the skillful creation of plausible characters.

And a few unexpected things besides: well worth a read, as, I imagine, are Hailey's other books including Airport and some other single-word titles that lead me to believe that, like Michael Crichton and a great many others, Hailey may have a little bit of a repetitive formula going on if you read his whole catalogue.

But hey - this one is very enjoyable.

[Marian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was published in 1965. I probably read it at least several times when I was a teenager. Recently I started thinking about it, and decided to read it again. It totally holds up. Arthur Hailey is a good writer, an excellent storyteller, an expert at plotting and character development, and a genius at weaving story lines and characters together. The book is dated, of course, but who cares? One thing that made me laugh was a successful hotelier's vision of what hotels of the future would be like. It hasn't come into being yet! Anyway...next I'm going to read Airport. :)

[Metodi Markov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Първата ми книга от Хейли и бях зарибен - изчел съм почти всичко от него издадено на български!

Пулсът и детайлното описание на хотела и хората му няма да ви оставят безразлични!

[Mariana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Автор проводить за куліси готельного бізнесу. В цьому світі вам пропонують провести всього кілька днів, але вони насичені просто всім! Дуже і дуже цікава книга!

[Anzhelika Maliuha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Дочитала я Готель і моя оцінка 4 з 5.
Загалом мені історія про те як працюють старі готелі сподобалась, але мені не вистачило розкриття деяких героїв тому за це я зняла один бал.
Мені була трохи незрозумілою також і любовна лінія героїв, вона наче трохи притягнута за вуха, але це чисто моя думка.

[Olya Zahvoyska · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ох ці секретики роботи готелю))) скільки всього за кадром, дуже мені сподобалалось, усміхали моменти зі скаргами клієнтів, хитрощі які придумують, щоб клієнти трохи тримались берега)))
Думаю всім, хто працює у сфері послуг, це теж відгукнеться

Любовна лінія Пітера усміхала не менше))) як можна бути таким профі в роботі, але таким бовдуром в стосунках. В момент, де майже все вже йде до сексу, він раптом щсь згадує, встає і йде нічого не пояснюючи. Як Крістіні вистачало на це все терпіння))) от у кого залізні нерви. А потім ще почекати трохи, бо Пітер ніби кохав її, але випадково познайомився з новою гостею і трохи не відмовився від вечері й поцілунків з новенькою))) а потім оцей його висновок: «мабуть він ніколи не зрозуміє жінок»))))

Насправді Пітер хороший, мені усі герої сподобались, просто багато що веселило і веселило тим більше, що стільки всього здається смішним і вигаданим, але таки часто трапляється в житті

Заради обʼєктивності - в книзі і прикрі моменти теж є, і дуже зворушливі. Сподіваюсь, що у Додо буде все добре, вона дуже мила

[Olena Landar · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5/5 ⭐️ спочатку книга мені здалась нудною, але після половини книги автор так класно розкрив героїв, поєднав їх всіх в один потік, що стало дуже захопливо. І в загальному мені сподобався і опис роботи готеля і героїв з їхніми долями і характерами. Просто це книга не для любителів динаміки і екшина.

[Yogya Hari Prakash Burra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arthur Hailey is just brilliant. He takes an industrial setting like an Airport or a Hotel, and explains the daily operations involved in running such places from the perspective of a key player, mostly a senior manager. The seemingly mundane activities are always very well described and his research is meticulous. It is said that he used to research an industry for years together to portray its nitty gritties accurately. The Human element in these books is also very good with a slew of characters facing challenges and moral dilemmas frequently. He starts by describing a slow paced day and then switches on to a fast paced narrative once a few incidents happen (typically accidents). This also gives it an exciting thriller feel to it. And since most of his books were written in the 60s and 70s, there is also a historical aspect to these books now. Apart from these, each of his books are set in different cities and he does an excellent job describing the city, local traditions, architecture etc.

In this book, the key character is Peter McDermott, the Asst. General Manager of the St.Gregory Hotel, which is struggling to compete with the new efficient Hotel chains. He has work with the hotel owner Mr.Trent, customers, other management and employees like the waiters and bellboys charging more etc . He also deals with accidents and crimes and even the sensitive issue of racial discrimination (considering that the book was written in 1965, it must have been a hot topic then with the desegregation laws just coming into effect).

Overall, an excellent read, especially if you are curious about how things work in different industries. Even if you aren't curious, the fast paced narrative part itself is very good and is comparable to any good thriller.

[Ostap Andrusiv · Rating 5 out of 5]

Колись йшов по Клепарівській, старенька бабця на вулиці продавала книжки. Купив тоді в неї за 15грн Аеропорт і Готель А.Хейлі в одній книжці. Так вона в мене і лежала, припадала пилюкою 3 роки. Чи вона цікава? Відповім так: я мріяв про ті моменти, коли сяду в маршрутку або поїзд і буду продовжувати читати “Отель”. Хейлі майстер в детальному описі фактів. Не знаю, як йому вдалось так детально описати всю “поднаготную” готельного бізнесу. Після того, як прочитав книжку, малював на листку, як переплітаються сюжетні лінії і факти в “Отелі” — мало не заплутався. Хейлі — майстер своєї справи.

Резюме: книжка принесла мені величезну дозу кайфу і задоволення. Маст рід!

[Readingspree joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arthur Hailey can make the most mundane things interesting and in this case i found myself dieing to know the fate of the Hotel. The unlikely hero Peter Mc Dermot is fascinating and and in incredibly attractive in a way that transcends just physical good looks. The story is masterfully told and the attention to detail is unlike any other author of his age

[щирість · Rating 5 out of 5]

Це було ахуєнно, всьо шо можу сказати

[J.J. Garza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Me imagino que en el pasado la gente despotricaba contra Arthur Hailey como hoy en día despotricamos contra Dan Brown o Paula Hawkins. Al final, la fórmula eterna del thriller que vende no ha cambiado mucho en ciento cincuenta años. Personajes simplificados, a veces caricaturas, relaciones francamente de cartón y por supuesto la noción fundamental del género: gente ordinaria en situaciones extraordinarias.

La gente de Hotel es gente bastante ordinaria y bastante caricaturizada. Su héroe, Peter McDermott, es un perfecto Cary Grant (Gary Stu?) que nunca jamás se equivoca en toda la extensión del libro y además de administrador capaz, hasta de detective la llega a hacer. Sus intereses románticos (de personalidad nula) evidencian todo el sexismo de la época. Y el único fondo interesante que es el de la segregación racial, se ve con los ojos ambivalentes de la época y no con la condenación justa y automática de criterios contemporáneos.

Sin embargo, en obras viejas como en las de Hailey ocurre un efecto curioso, similar al que hace clásicos obras centenarias: ese retrato mundo en el pasado vuelve glamorosa la visión que haya tenido el autor en ese momento y este efecto termina realzando el libro. En este caso, el caché de una hotelería de antaño (que seguramente sigue existiendo si uno paga +500 dólares por noche en algún lado en Europa o Nueva York) en la época de los Mad Men impecablemente trajeados y con el cabello engominado. Son los últimos dos años antes del verano del amor, antes de las rebeliones de la juventud, un retrato de un mundo a nada de perderse. Y he aquí lo fascinante: Hailey fue el padre y hasta el momento el único representante del thriller de negocios: el retrato de la industria de la hospitalidad en un tiempo es perfecto, con todos los héroes y bribones que formaban parte de ella.

Además, tengo una parcialidad tremenda hacia obras que transcurren en un espacio cerrado y juegan las personalidades de mucha gente en conflicto. Esto es lo que siempre me ha fascinado de obras como Muerte en el Nilo de Agatha Christie o La Estación Downbelow de C.J. Cherryh

Esta novela es literatura de entretenimiento pura y dura, carente de valor pero gran dadora de buenos momentos. El libro de playa perfecto, a la par de Jackie Collins o de Sidney Sheldon.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly enjoyable 1965 bestseller set in a New Orleans hotel. It even included a Civil Rights event in the plot. Best of all was learning all the details about what goes on behind the scenes in hotels.

[Mandy Radley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hadn't realised that this book was first published in the 1960's, I remember it being around with all the other blockbuster books in the 80's, maybe this was when the mini series came out. Anyway I spotted it in Amazon before Christmas and I've always wanted to read it, so downloaded it. The book follows a number of characters over 5 days from Monday to Friday, either working or visiting the St Gregory Hotel in New Orleans. Friday being DDay for the owner. He has to come up with a refinancing package or accept a buy out from a hotel chain otherwise the bank forecloses. Running alongside this story is the one of a mother and child being killed in a hit and run accident. The hotel also has a professional thief hitting on the guests. The convention of dentists are in uproar as the hotel discriminates against coloured people, plus a few other stories. Everything comes to a thrilling and horrific conclusion on the Friday afternoon. Even though it was a little dated I thoroughly enjoyed it, so much so my partner was asking, WHEN ARE YOU TURNING THE LIGHT OUT, at 11.30pm last night. I only hope my pen friend of around 35 years who now lives on the Isle of Bute and I've just found out she is also reading this, having bought it her mum for Christmas, as she wanted to read it, enjoys it as much as I have.

[Suby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book some 40 years back. Already the world of hospitality was being taken over by Hotel Chains. One hotel stood alone independently and this book is about all aspects of hotel management, its struggle for survival and how a discredited manager of the hotel eventually gets into the good books of a millionaire who purchases the place and puts him in charge of the place so that it can continue to function as an independent entity. A marvelous book to read.