Rex Rozario’s Next Big Thing, Part 2

Estimated reading time: 17 minutes

Caines: Well, again, thanks to our investors, we’re well-positioned to acquire more property, and we would like to bring into the hotel as additional accommodation, a spa and well-being area. In the meantime, we’ve now looked to join Relais & Chateaux after three months. So this November, we will join Relais & Chateaux, which gives us a European and worldwide window to explore. The American market is very key for us, so a visit there in September and October is planned.

We used an American design company, Restoration Hardware, as inspiration for our interiors. We’re working with Meraki, a small interior team here in the UK. They did a fantastic job working with me on that. We're looking now to consolidate the business, hopefully get the two Michelin Stars for here. Develop our business based on regulars coming back, and people enjoying the house, and developing a great team here. Strengthening what we do daily with better delivery and quality of delivery of what we do.

You’re unfortunately only as good as your last meal in this place, and when people come stay with you, they remember. Often, the last meal being the breakfast, so that has to be perfect, and the meet and the greet. So we’re very good. We’ve got a beautiful landscape in which we’d like to plant a vineyard next April, which we'll then develop a sparkling wine here at Lympstone. We’ve got quite a lot planned, and I think all of that is possible because we have a very successful business; it is also based on the numbers working, and making sure we show some discipline in this year to get ahead of the game. Also to be able to then look to invest, and continue to invest in the landscape. We've got three ponds down there that we want to develop as well. Then over time, we plan to just continue to invest where we feel appropriate in the product and also in the people. The team are equally as important. Then start to enjoy life a bit.

It’s taken a lot of effort and time, and it’s nice to have Rex and Ruth popping in every now and again. Ruth's our most regular of regulars, and she insists on a kiss, which is just fine. As long as Rex isn’t offended. It’s great. Investors like Rex and Ruth come often with friends and use it as a place to showcase their businesses, and also to show what they’ve been up to and just enjoy that beautiful view. That was also the thing that we sold, this sense of place, and everybody imagining just how fantastic it’s going to be.

Rozario: Yeah, especially if you come from Birmingham or somewhere like that. To be here, even for a day, and just being around here, is special. I think there is a lot of  potential  here.

Caines: It has huge potential, and we know that we've got a great product. We’ve got good PR and marketing strategy. We’ve got great opportunities to develop. We’re talking about local businesses as well. Rex was talking about getting more involved with the CBI and that sort of stuff. With the academy at Exeter we are developing apprentices, and there are a couple of things that are happening in and around that we might get involved with.

We can really be looking forward with a great deal of optimism. I know we have a few challenges with Brexit in the UK, but that creates a few opportunities as well. But we need to face up to the potential challenges that we’ve got. Also, as a business, we’re new and young, so we’ve going to make sure that we're recession-proof, so to speak.

Should there be a problem in the economy, we need to be able to respond, and the business must be flexible enough to respond to those challenges. I think the good thing about the dynamics of our business is that we’ve got investors who are used to responding to challenges, and they all have skills that can add into and enrich what we do.

Matties: Rex, this is not the electronics industry, but this might be one of your best investments, wouldn't you say?

Rozario: Well, yes. One of my favorite investments. One that brings me pleasure to come to. Because in business, as you know, this morning, I was up at 8:00 going to work. But here, I can come and have a drink, and then talk business.

Matties: Rex has had a storied career for sure.

Rozario: Well, we just had a board meeting today before we came in, and now we're here laughing and joking, and no big issue. After board meetings in the industry, it sometimes can seem a little bit dull.

Caines: Well, even if we have a tough board meeting, you can always guarantee a good meal. I’ll tell you what. Actually, what was very, very special for the investors is that as part of our opening, we had our investors in for two nights. We had an opening party, and then the night before, we had a lovely exclusive event. It was great, because none of them wanted to leave. They were so comfortable. They all planted a tree. We've got some lovely pictures we're going to put up on the wall as well.

It was really great, like Rex said, to see people that have invested, no doubt, in different things. Not always successful. At the same time, we immediately were able to reap what we invested in, in terms of sowing that investment seed. Immediately now, we're able to come here and enjoy it. Actually, that sometimes is immeasurable in terms of return. Because actually, every day you come here, you’re reaping the benefit of that investment.

You have that privilege to know that you can walk in this hotel, and these guys can know that they'll always be welcomed. They’ll always be known, warmly greeted. They’ll also know that they are able to have this as a place for them to come and enjoy, and that’s important. There aren’t many investments where, frankly, as Rex says, it actually enhances your life and makes you feel good. Rex has even has his beautiful cream Rolls-Royce out front.

Rozario: Off-white (laughs).

Caines: He rode up in it, and I must say, he looked very dapper in it.

Matties: Yeah. Rex understands style.

Caines: He does!

Rozario: I remember when we were young, and there used to be a place in Maidenhead. It was a trendy place next to a hotel, and sometimes I used to stay there. The club next door, this was the Rolling Stones era, all the parents would bring their children in Rolls-Royces. And I'd think, "That’s the place to go."

Matties: If the Rolls is there...

Rozario: "One day. One day." I think it's a trendy area, and Michael brings his Porsche and his children.

Matties: Well, congratulations. This is a remarkable accomplishment. Rex, do you have any final thoughts that you want to share?

Rozario: I think this will also be a great tourist attraction, with the vineyard coming along, and then there’s going to be a helipad here for helicopters to land. We are also toying with the idea of a hovercraft when the tide is off. Michael also wants to make it a bit exclusive, like have a membership situation so that the guests are always protected. They don’t want people flying in here and having all the locals fighting at the bar. That's not what we want to try and do.

To put it in a nice way, not to say we want to ban you. They can book in to stay overnight, or the restaurant, but not walk in for a drink.

Matties: Well, when you have a facility with such high demand, you have to manage it well.

Caines: I guess it’s protection, isn’t it? You want to protect what you’ve created. Actually, it’s not necessarily about exclusivity, it’s about also making sure that those guests that are here feel special. Sometimes, if you run a business too busy, you actually lose attention to detail on the guest experience.

Matties: I was going to say, it’s all about that experience. Again, congratulations. Any final thoughts from you, Michael?

Caines: Just a big thank you. Rex has been a great support.

Rozario: We’re all a good team.

Caines: Yeah, and all the investors. I have to say also that the realization of your dream, which this is for me, is only made possible by people’s trust, and obviously belief in your vision and ability. To people who are listening or reading, don’t give up your dreams, and be determined, and put a good plan together. Engage people who believe in it and want to be a part of it. I think our success story here is a good example of that.

Rozario: Our team is like a pop group. Michael is the front man. We are at the brink. We are just about to take off.

Matties: Congratulations.

Click here to learn more about Lympstone Manor.

• < Previous Page