Capital hostel set to be first to offer a butler on a budget

IT'S a service normally only offered by the most luxurious of hotels.

But Art Roch in Edinburgh believes it is the first hostel in Europe to provide a butler for guests.

Guests at the Grassmarket hostel will be able to pamper themselves, with 19-year-old butler Sebastian Gainsburgh offering services ranging from providing breakfast in bed on a silver tray, to a personal tour of the city, or a shoe shine.

They will even be able to choose, while booking, what they want 6ft 1in model Sebastian to wear by selecting either a "smooth" or a "rough" butler - the traditional butler outfit or a kilt and tight-fitting T-shirt.

Sebastian, who lives in Stockbridge, said: "I do prefer the actual butler outfit because it puts me in character better.

"Butlering might have disappeared from even some of the best hotels but people really appreciate the personal touch. It's all about working with people, which I really enjoy."

Guests can also ask Sebastian to carry their luggage, unpack their suitcases, provide a tour of the hostel, or even do their laundry and ironing.

Sebastian, a former fitness advisor and professional trainer, recently signed up with modelling agency Colours in Glasgow. He has worked at the hostel as a receptionist since August last year.

Guests staying in the hostel's honeymoon suite and executive rooms, costing from 50 a night, will be able to call on the services of Sebastian, who has been trained by a professional butler experienced in serving in large hotels in Britain and America.

Sebastian, who was educated at Loretto School, said: "You have to pronounce your words clearly and distinctly but only speak when spoken to, present yourself well and smile, give guests anything they desire at any time, but remain in the background and only appear when needed."

Art Roch owner Malcolm Scott made the decision to introduce the service at the low-budget hostel on a permanent basis earlier this month.

VisitScotland's regional director, Manuela Canchini, said: "The quirky idea of providing a butler service in a hostel is a perfect example of how a visit to Edinburgh and Scotland can have a unique and surprising element, which is the focus of our latest domestic campaign - 'Surprise Yourself'."

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