10 QUESTIONS WITH ALEX POLIZZI, BRITISH BUSINESS WOMAN & HOTELIER
1.) Alex, we love your enthusiasm for hotels. What are some of your earliest hotel memories and where did you holiday when you were growing up?
In general I holidayed in Portugal with my maternal grandparents after my father died. They used to rent a very nice villa in The Algarve and they would stay in a five star hotel, the Dona Filipa, that my grandfather owned. After that, my Italian grandparents used to take us to lots of Italian middle class resorts that nobody seems to go to anymore, places like Sperlonga and Latina, where it was all-inclusive, on a beach, nothing terribly glamorous, but lots of fun. We didn’t really stay anywhere glamorous until I was much much older.
2.) The Polizzi Collection consists of 3 beautiful hotels in the UK, would you say that you have a penchant for one in particular?
I have a penchant for whichever one I am working in. Currently that would be The Star. Endsleigh was my baby for a long time as I worked there for 4 years. I also worked at Tresanton for 2 years. Each of these three hotels have so much to recommend them; seems a little bit unfair to favour one over the other.
The Star, Alfriston
3.) What, in particular, attracted you to buy The Star in Alfriston?
We loved The Star for lots of reasons. We love the village of Alfriston itself which is very unspoilt and has some wonderful buildings and wonderful businesses, but also the walking round here is quite extraordinary. Alfriston is nestled in the heart of the South Downs and there is so much to see and do, that you could spend a week here and never get to the end of it. Also, the hotel was a very ugly building and we thought we could improve it immeasurably, which I believe we have done.
4.) We regularly hear that guests love to catch a glimpse of you in The Star and in Alfriston…do you also frequent The Tresanton and The Endsleigh hotels on a regular basis?
I used to frequent Endsleigh and Tresanton on a regular basis but at the moment all my firepower is concentrated on The Star, as it is young, and needs the most help from me.
5.) Do you have a favourite bedroom that you personally like to stay in at The Star?
I think I would like to stay in Room 28 although I never yet have!
6.) We are familiar with your wonderful Head Chef, Tim Kensett. What is it like to work with such a recognised name in the culinary world and do you have a favourite signature dish on the menu?
I really like working with Tim. He is very down to earth, calm and organised. He has convinced me of his pasta making abilities, and I am absolutely mad about all of his seasonal soups. I have just had a vegetable one made with broad beans, peas, courgettes and a little bit of pesto, and it was to die for!
The Star, Alfriston
7.) We love the friendly, open welcome to dog owners at The Star. Can you tell us a little about the upcoming nature walks where you will join the walkers in person?
I will not only be joining the walkers, I will be leading the walk! I have done a few of them, and it is a very good excuse to get out of the building. Although I took on The Star, with the thought that I would be doing lots of walking, it is the inevitable nature of things that you never get winkled out of the hotel because there is always so much to do here! There is everything to see in the area, from river to seaside to cliffs to forest and we have a walk to suit every ability and every landscape preference.
8.) We adore the interior design inspired by your mother, Olga Polizzi. Does Olga stay at The Star from time to time?
She doesn’t need to stay at The Star as she has a house nearby, which is why we knew the area so well.
9. Are you hoping to host more events at The Star?
I would like to host more events at The Star. The Star would be a lovely place for an intimate wedding, which we haven’t done yet, and I look forward to hosting the first one!
10. Lastly, we are intrigued, have you entertained any celebrities at The Tresanton, The Endsleigh or The Star?
Obviously my lips are sealed; Like a tailor, you never give someone’s inside leg measurements!
Courtyard at The Star, Alfriston
thepolizzicollection.com/the-star
The Star, High Street, Alfriston, Polegate BN26 5TA
Reservations: 01323 870495 | thestar@thepolizzicollection.com
