On Wednesday, 21 August, Strand Palace received its award for achieving a Global Secure Accreditation, ensuring the safety and security of its guests and the world’s first truly independent standard and assessment system for hotel security. The security assessment was undertaken by Global Secure Accreditation Ltd, who have developed rigorous security standards which have been accredited by UK government (OFQUAL) approved awarding body, SFJ Awards.
The Global Secure Accreditation team is made up of highly experienced former law enforcement practitioners, UK military, UK Counter Terrorism and international security experts, bound together by a common desire for setting the highest professional standard. In order to be awarded GSA accreditation, Strand Palace underwent an extensive physical inspection of the hotel’s security systems, practices and apparatus, interviews with and observation of staff and the detailed examination of security policies, plans and other documentation supplied by the hotel.
Before receiving this accolade, Strand Palace was already known for its high standards of security; openly promoting security measures on its website, including a lone-female traveller policy. Globally, only a small number of hotels promote their security capabilities publicly in this way. The establishment aims to provide both a discrete security service to leisure clients and more structured security considerations for its corporate clientele, in addition to the safety of its staff.
Despite being located in a low-risk security area, the hotel’s security measures have been found to substantially exceed the requirements for an area in this category. Strand Palace have combined the expertise of their in-house security team with the installation of extensive monitoring systems and technologies in order to guarantee excellent standards of security, to match excellent standards of guest service. These systems unobtrusively manage the security of the hotel guests and its wider non-resident customer base, such as guests to its recently opened restaurant and bar, Haxells.
David Wood, Chief Executive Officer for Global Secure Accreditation, commented:
“Independent security accreditation provides a means by which the industry can demonstrate that hotels and resorts have been objectively assessed and meet a consistent and professional risk-based standard. This also provides a mechanism to discreetly communicate to leisure guests, business travellers or their employers or agents, that a hotel takes security seriously.
The fact that [Strand Palace] has had the confidence to permit independent expert assessment and has been found to meet a formally accredited security standard, that the industry itself has helped to develop, should reassure its guests.”
David MacRae, Managing Director of Strand Palace said:
“The security of our guests and staff is of the upmost importance and our number one priority in everything that we do at the Strand Palace.
“We are absolutely delighted and very proud to have achieved this accreditation from such a well-regarded organisation as Global Secure Accreditation Ltd, which demonstrates our commitment to maintaining these high levels of hotel security.”
Strand Palace was established in 1909, and remains one of London’s most iconic hotels. Boasting 785 guest rooms, the hotel has recently undergone extensive refurbishment, including the transformation of the reception, concierge and bar areas that embraces 1920s Art Deco style. The hotel’s brand new restaurant, Haxells, has also recently opened, in addition to a private dining room and dedicated Afternoon Tea Salon; the restaurant’s menu celebrates the best of modern British cuisine.
Located in the heart of Central London, the hotel is perfectly situated to explore the city on foot; from the shops, theatres and restaurants of Covent Garden and Leicester Square, to the culture and history of Westminster, and across Waterloo Bridge to the cultural delights of the South Bank. For exploring further afield, the hotel is also close to Charing Cross, Embankment and Covent Garden underground stations, and Charing Cross national rail station.
(Pictured left to right; Teresa Chacon, Director of People at Strand Palace; David MacRae, Managing Director of Strand Palace; David Wood, Chief Executive Officer for Global Secure Accreditation; Morne Landman, Security & Safety Manager at Strand Palace; David Pryde, Head of IT at Strand Palace)