onefinestay is full of charmers, and Sten is certainly one of them. Perhaps it is this charm which has meant he’s achieved so much in so little time. A true entrepreneur, he created a company in his school days  which has since expanded into four countries. Sten flew over from Estonia in search of a new challenge (his favourite word) and has been responsible for making onefinestay go 24/7. Sten's about to embark on a new challenge - Head of Home Services, which means he'll be making sure the homes are perfect for guests. 

When did you join onefinestay?

I started work on 12th September 2011 at 2pm.

And what is it that you do?

I have just been appointed Head of Home Services. Previously at onefinestay, I managed the Reservations team, making sure they answered enquiries as thoroughly and quickly as possible. We just opened 24 hour reservations which took a lot of planning and are gearing up for the international expansion this year. 

Where do you live in London?

In East London, near Canary Wharf

What is your favourite type of tea and why?

Fresh mint tea. I like the fresh natural taste.

A young Sten with his spiral notebooks which were an instant hit in Estonia

Who would be the guest of honour at your dinner party?

Richard Branson

What is your favourite word?

Challenge

Sten dives head first into any challenge

When did you last get lost?

Last year In Tuscany, Italy. Wanted to drive back to the hotel, inserted the coordinates to GPS and ended up in a completely wrong place an hour away from the actual hotel. Finally figured out that the coordinates had suddenly changed to the previous car user’s home location.

When did you last have an epiphany?

On Sunday. After receiving an email from my 9-year old brother which was sent from an iPad, I realised how quickly the technology has developed and how quickly all the children are growing up nowadays.

What is the furthest North you’ve been?

Sweden. I was celebrating New Year’s Eve there in 2000.

What was the best experience you ever had on holiday?

It has to be visiting a biodynamic vineyard in Chianti area, Tuscany where the CEO personally gave me a tour.

What is your favourite spot in London which you wouldn’t find on a map?

Drinking cocktails at SkyLounge at DoubleTree by Hilton Tower of London. The place has an amazing view over London.

Tell us a secret

I used to ballroom dance from ages 8-12.

This is Diaphel. The only one in the world. A romantic, idealist and story teller. Diaphel - the mysterious man with a made up name is making onefinestay a better place. And that's not just because of his Pacino-esque accent straight out of the Bronx. 

When did you join onefinestay?

I joined OFS November 23, 2011

And what is it that you do?

I am an operations analyst working in the Central Operations department. I mostly work developing processes and systamitizing operations to make the business run like a well oiled machine.

Where do you live in London?

I live on the South West corner of Battersea Park, Battersea. 

Where do you wish you lived in London?

In Battersea. I love it there, especially the park. It's just the right blend of nice neighborhoods, local shops, and a great park to walk, jog, enjoy the tennis courts, walk in the subtropical botanical part (with palm trees!), visit the zoo, have a picnic, and chill with all the dogs next to fountains and plush grass! What more could you want??

Diaphel in the park

Who would be the guest of honour at your dinner party?

Isaac Asimov, an awesome scientist/science fiction writer who wrote the Foundation Trilogy. This book predates Star Wars or anything of the sort, yet blows it out of the water! It's a great critique on many parts of our society. (As most science fiction novels always were: If you couldn't critique your current government or society without reproach, just write it in a book, say what you want, and then say, umm... it takes place in the future... somewhere else... definitely not here! See, totally different ;) ).

What is your favourite word?

Ubuntu is definitely worthy of having meaning I like. It means "I am because we are". 

I'm kind of an idealist at heart I guess.

Ubuntu

When did you last get lost?

The last time I was REALLY lost was in Turkey. I was driving trying to get to Antalya from Konya through a mountain range in the middle of the night and I can honestly say I was afraid of falling off a cliff as there were no barriers. We were also being chased by wild dogs.

And then my brakes failed. We (my girlfriend and I) found a small hut type house and tried to explain to an old couple what had happened (which did not go well as I don't speak Turkish, and they definitely didn't speak English!)

After a while people started showing up, drawn by us talking I assume. Soon the whole village was there. One of them called a friend of his in a town who "spoke English". He could basically say: "tonight, you sleep, tomorrow, we fix".

So we spent the night there conversing through pictures and charades. Once they found out I was American they wouldn't stop calling me Obama. 

They were some of the most hospitable people I've ever met, giving us the cheese, olives and bread that they had as dinner, and the next morning cooking us fresh eggs from the hens outside. I never had to look far for tea as one of them was always refilling it. I have to say, for people with so little, they never hesitated to give so much. In the morning we could see the beautiful mountain range we were trying to get through as the sun rose above them. Though I was very lost, I can't say I minded at all.

What was the best experience you ever had on holiday?

I'd say the best experience I've ever had on holidays was traveling through China and  Japan. The trip itself was amazing, but meeting my girlfriend there was the highlight. I met her in an elevator in Kyoto.

The romantic and his lady in a desert

What is your favourite spot in London which you wouldn’t find on a map?

Let's see.... Not sure I know of any place I couldn't find on a map. My roof terrace during the summer time? That wouldn't be on a map. I built a terrace outside my window on my slanted roof. I was sick of not being able to have barbecues and chill on the roof, so I made it from the wood in my courtyard. I now love lounging out there when it's sunny, having a beer and frying up a few burgers.

Tell us a secret.

My Landlord doesn't know about my roof terrace.Shhhhh....

Enjoying a sneaky bowl of cereal on his hand made roof terrace

What will the title of your memoirs be?

Not sure... maybe..."Diaphel's life around the world" or something. Was never good at coming up with titles.

This is Linden. There are few chaps as well brought up as this lovely fella. And few who can keep their head when all around are losing theirs. This charmer is building the maintenance machine behind onefinestay - because with 300 homes (so that's 300 boilers) you certainly need to keep your cool. 

When did you join onefinestay?

March 2011 after 5 years in construction project management, a stint at a property fund, undertaking my own flat developments and having started my own building advice company.

And what is it that you do?

Manage and grow the onefinestay maintenance machine! 

It’s my job to ensure guests can enjoy homes which are safe, fully functioning and up to onefinestay’s high standards. 

Where do you live in London? 

Battersea - although in process of moving to Wandsworth 

Where do you wish you lived in London? 

A Ladbroke grove mews or a house on the Regent’s Canal near Maida Vale. 

What is your favourite type of tea and why? 

It should be builders bum tea but actually my favourite is lady grey (don't tell my colleagues!) it’s so citrusy.... 

Who would be the guest of honour at your dinner party? 

Andrea Palladio the Renaissance architect who could answer all those questions my lecturer couldn't!

What is your favourite word? 

Discombobulate  

Linden, discombobulated by the African landscape

When did you last get lost? 

In Wyoming in 2004 when on exercise with the 101st Airborne Division. 

When did you last have an epiphany?

When I didn't fit into my swimming trunks last weekend! Less desk - more exercise....

What is the furthest North you’ve been?

On a dog sled  in Lapland 

What was the best experience you ever had on holiday?

Climbing the Gros Piton (fat Mountain) in St Lucia and eating the freshest mango whilst looking at the parabolic horizon. 

What is your favourite spot in London which you wouldn’t find on a map?

A hidden garden in the middle of town - Phoenix Garden

Tell us a secret

I help practise lines with my girlfriend who's an actress and enjoy playing the cockney gangster or the Scottish madman a bit too much...

The maintenance team turned their hands to bit of set design this week when they built a onefinestay style living room for The Luxury Property Show at The Hurlingham Club. 

The annual event showcases only the finest properties from around the globe, and offers visitors a unique opportunity to view and buy from the finest collection of the world's most luxurious properties.

A few members of the onefinestay team took to the stand for the two day event and met many people interested in joining our service. The show has also enjoyed wide press coverage, including TV presenter Melissa Porter who interviewed our Head of Maintance Linden Dover. 

We would like to thank our friends over at made.com who lent us some of their fantastic furniture - including this Boundary Sideboard: 

This is Kevin - bad boy turned consultant. He's busy building the onefinestay machine, and with his passion for powerpoint and Transformers, there's no man better qualified. Kevin DJs in his spare time, hates Aubin and Wills and will be found on the weekends in East London's latest 'pop-up' something or other. 

When did you join onefinestay?

July 2011

And what is it that you do?

I am building the onefinestay machine. I document and build the business processes that make onefinestay work, and help develop the specifications for the software team to support those processes.

Where do you live in London?

In a couple of weeks I am moving from the hipster-haven of Hoxton to hipster-haven - London Fields. Ever since I moved to London I have always lived in Hackney. It captures everything that’s amazing about London; it’s so diverse, where beautiful Georgian townhouses sit metres from sixties housing estates and there’s always a new pub or shop to discover. 

Where do you wish you lived in London?

De Beauvoir-still in Hackney, this is one of the nicest “villages” in London that I have ever seen. Gorgeous townhouses, upmarket delis and amazing gastro-pubs, and all only a stone’s throw from Shoreditch, Dalston and Angel. I think if I lived there I would never need to go further than a mile from my home ever again.

What is your favourite type of tea and why?

I always used to be a big fan of English Breakfast with a tonne of sugar and milk until quite recently. I still like my trusty builders’ tea, but my eyes were opened when I tried delicious Chinese Oolong, best served from a copper teapot into a fine china cup!

When making a cup of tea, do you pour in the milk or the tea first?

Whichever comes to hand.

Who would be the guest of honour at your dinner party?

David Attenborough-I could listen to him talk all day, and I don’t think there are many people alive today who have seen the things he’s seen

When did you last get lost?

In Plitvice in the Croatian interior. It’s an amazingly verdant lake district only a 100 miles or so from the capital Zagreb and one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. Unfortunately the Croatians are not so good at marking their footpaths and we spent hours wondering in the baking sun trying to find the ferry back to the park entrance.

When did you last have an epiphany?

About 6 months ago when my colleagues started leaving the consultancy where I worked and going to work for start-ups, I realised there was life outside the city and that that was where I wanted to be.

What is the furthest North you’ve been?

My birthplace -Jasper in Alberta, Canada.

What was the best experience you ever had on holiday?

Taking the Trans-Siberian railway from Moscow to Ulaanbataar. Being on a train for 7 days with a group of strangers, with miles of emptiness stretching away from you in every direction and unbelievable scenery is an experience I’ll never forget. 

What is your favourite spot in London which you wouldn’t find on a map?

The lookout point in Greenwich near the observatory. It gives a completely different perspective on the city to the one I normally see from North London and the views of the o2 and Canary Wharf are just fantastic. 

Tell us a secret.

I have the the decepticons insignia tattooed to my body… but I won’t tell you where.  

What will the title of your memoirs be? 

Before consulting: Tales of a rebellious youth

This is Tom. Last seen on a Caribbean island with Victoria’s Secret models, he abandoned the world of fashion photography to join the more glamorous, and better looking onefinestay tech team. He’s our one and only Scot. And no stranger to mixing it up, he holds a world record for cocktail mixing.

When did you join onefinestay?

Feb 2011

 And what is it that you do?

I work in the tech team but exactly what I do has been changing so frequently that I'd struggle to define it any more specifically. One of the joys of a company that grows so fast is that it keeps us on our feet.

 Where do you live in London?

East London, near the river. It's really peaceful and out of the way with plenty of quiet little spots to hide away in.

Where do you wish you lived in London?

The top of the OXO tower; I love the Southbank, great views and it's pretty handy for the cocktail bar.

What is your favourite type of tea and why?

Lapsang Souchong; reminds me of a good peaty whisky and is an acceptable morning drink.

 When making a cup of tea, do you pour in the milk or the tea first?

Milk?! In my tea? I think not.

 Who would be the guest of honour at your dinner party?

Steve Jobs, even before this was a cool answer.

What is your favourite word?

Caffeinated

 When did you last get lost?

Walking up the LA Hills on my own. It was fun until the thirst came and it began to dawn on me that all this was pretty barren and dry until fairly recently. Quite a strange feeling when you can see the ocean to your right and see the Warner Brothers' water tower to the left. So, given the views I was probably not quite lost, but certainly out of my comfort zone.

 When did you last have an epiphany?

I problem solve all day, so I get surprised with minor epiphanies quite often; last night as I was leaving work I had a flash of inspiration on how to fix an outwardly dull issue.

 What is the furthest North you’ve been?

Reykjavik, but that was only a lay-over on my way to Canada. Banff, the final destination on that trip is bound to be the furthest North I've spent any time in. I'll give you one guess as to why I might be in Banff in the winter.

 What was the best experience you ever had on holiday?

Sat deep in a crater in the Pacific Ocean, (with SCUBA on) seeing the silhouettes of two hammerhead sharks come around the crater walls and sweep down towards and past me. Far more massive than I had expected, they just seemed so majestic and ancient.

 What is your favourite spot in London which you wouldn’t find on a map?

Little corner of the Limehouse Cut, on the canal and near a few bridges, it's all over and under in a Victorian style.

 Tell us a secret.

Sure, the password to all the computers in onefinestay is [removed by editor]

 What will the title of your memoirs be?

Tip Top Tommy's Trials, Travels and Tribulations

Tomorrow is a very special day. The kind of day that keeps children awake at night in anticipation. Ok, perhaps that's just me....but seriously, I love tomorrow. Why? Because tomorrow is pancake day (or Shrove Tuesday to be strictly accurate). Also known as the day when I can justify eating oodles of my absolute favourite food with next to no guilt! 

For those that are curious how pancake day orginated, I found this little snippet on wikipedia: Pancakes are associated with the day preceding Lent because they were a way to use up rich foodstuffs such as eggs, milk, and sugar, before the fasting season of the 40 days of Lent. The liturgical fasting emphasized eating plainer food and refraining from food that would give pleasure: In many cultures, this means no meat, dairy, or eggs. 

OK, so these days the only thing I personally give up is chocolate, but why break with tradition!

In honour of pancake day, I decided to conduct a little survey of the onefinestay team's pancake preferences. 

Favourite pancake fillings:

Me - Crepe Suzette (Orange, Lemon  & Grand Marnier)

Greg - Lemon & sugar

Tim - Lemon, sugar & raisins

Matthew - Grand Marnier 

2. Only a kitchen this big, bright and airy would do in a house as grand as the lovely Aberdare Gardens in South Hampstead. Sleeping nine this really is the ultimate family home and surely this is also the ultimate family kitchen...complete with breakfast bar for those hungry mouths to perch at whilst you cook up a storm!

Matthew joins onefinestay fresh from everyone's favourite glasses website, Glasses Direct. An astrophysicist in hiding (no, really!)  he is most often seen hunched over his computer doing complex stuff with databases that none of us non-techy folks understand, Matthew is whipping our tech team into word class shape. Now over to him...

When did you join onefinestay?

 January.

And what is it that you do?

I design and build technology that helps the unhoteliers run the unhotel.

Where do you live in London?

I live in Putney, south west London. It's one of the "nappy-valleys", ever
popular with families who want a little space but still to be "in town". The
annual Oxford vs Cambridge boat race starts from Putney bridge. Any other
weekend morning you'll still find the river full of rowers, and the boat
houses spilling out boats and wellington-booted, lycra-clad, oarsmen and
women.

Where do you wish you lived in London?

North London is where I first landed in the capital and it still has a
special feel for me. There are beautiful double-fronted houses in Islington
just a few minutes from Upper St and its surprising collection of
independent restaurants, gastro pubs like the Albion on Thornhill road and
one of my favourite theatres in town, the Almeida.
It's a great part of town. There are so many other places I could wish to
live though - East London and it's beautiful brick warehouses converted into
stunning loft apartments; canal-side in Camden or overlooking Hamstead
Heath. Perhaps the ideal would be to try each of these for just a few days
once in a while... I wonder how I could do that!?

What is your favourite type of tea and why?

That totally depends on the time of day. I'm a great fan of Royal Blend from
Fortnum and Masons in the morning, and Earl Grey works very well for me in
the afternoon with biscuits. Green teas in a thai or chinese restaurant are
wonderful though: plenty of places in China Town and Soho will serve a
wonderful jasmine tea flower that opens up in the glass.

When making a cup of tea, do you pour in the milk or the tea first?

Milk!? I take it black!

What is the furthest North you’ve been?

I think Stockholm... although further north in an aircraft but I don't think
that counts.

What is your favourite word?

"System Healthy". OK - two words. But two words that mean our site is happy
and I can rest easy.

When did you last get lost?

I got properly lost sailing in the Mediterranean from Tunis to Sardinia
after going to sleep and leaving the skipper on watch. It was a filthy night
and when I awoke I found the crew had made many course changes and not
recorded any of them. The satnav was broken (later I repaired its fuse with
a chewing gum wrapper) so I finally got a position by radioing a ship in the
distance and asking for a radar fix. The dent in my pride has yet to
recover!

What was the best experience you ever had on holiday?

Driving the Canning Stock Route in Australia. It is a 2000km track with
now-disused wells every 25km or so along which cattle were driven between
western Australia and the Kimberley. It's one of the longest and most remote
4x4 tracks on the continent (you have to book a drum of diesel to be left at
a fuel dump half way along a few months ahead) and we were fortunate to be
one of the first along it after a couple of years when it was rendered
inaccessible by flooding (we swam in the
desert!) Having a lot of range in our fuel tanks we were able to visit some
of the sites off the main track including one camp spot which had the most
extraordinary rock art and carvings we'd seen on the whole trip. It was a
very special place. Later we discovered that one of those carvings had been
dated to 40,000 years and were told that it is the earliest data point
dating aboriginal presence on the continent.

Tell us a secret.

I once went to a Mel C concert at the now-demolished Astoria on Charing
Cross road. I enjoyed it.

This is Sandra. Head of Service Delivery. 

Sandra can certainly teach us a thing or two about how hotels do things. She joins us with an impressive background from the industry, and most recently was the Director of Housekeeping in Four Seasons Hotel, Hampshire.

When did you join onefinestay?

24th of January, 2011

And what is it that you do?

Head of Service Delivery, which means I look after the Home and Guest Services team. This includes dealing with activities surrounding a guest stay and service issues. I'm also involved in the strategic planning of the operations.

Where do you live in London? 

Battersea

Where do you wish you lived in London? 

So many places.

What is your favourite type of tea and why? 

Fresh Peppermint, because it wakes me up and makes me feel good.

When making a cup of tea, do you pour in the milk or the tea first? 

First hot water, then the teabag, then stir while putting one sugar and some milk, then swiftly take the tea bag out! Strict rules for the Germans!!

Who would be the guest of honour at your dinner party? 

Audrey Hepburn, love her style and I find her intriguing.  

What is your favourite word? 

Actually a few words – "at the end of the day".

When did you last get lost? 

In Notting Hill, when trying to find one of our member's homes.

When did you last have an epiphany?

Last week, when getting my head around some of our strategic planning topics – just like a lightbulb

What is the furthest North you’ve been?

Whistler, Canada.

What was the best experience you ever had on holiday?

I cannot decide, so I'll give you a few: 

• Meeting an artist in Rio de Janeiro, who has spent most of his life tiling a public staircase with tiles from all over the world
• Driving over the pass in Yosemite Park when on a road trip in the US
• Sitting on a little boat in the Philippines heading for a deserted tiny island, about to have a picnic consisting of fresh lobster
• The colour change during fall in Vermont, US
• Hiking up Kilimanjaro and summiting

What is your favourite spot in London which you wouldn’t find on a map?

My favourite tree in Hampstead Heath.

Tell us a secret.

Germans and English are very similar.

What will the title of your memois be? 

At the end of the day…