The Standard

Meet Robert.  He’s devilishly handsome, charming beyond compare, dresses like he’s vacationing at an exclusive resort, and keeps the Pool Deck at The Standard, Hollywood brimming with fun. He’s also got a heart of gold, Blackbook just sang his praises and we thought The Standard world should know him, too.

(Robert Escalera and his friend Mikey)

Full Name: Robert Escalera
Exact Title: Poolside Restaurant Manager 
Sun Sign: Capricorn

First off, tell us a bit about your background, and what you do at the Standard?

I am a born and raised Miami boy which oftentimes answers peoples questions in itself like “Robert, where are you from?” “Miami” “Ooohhhhh, now it makes sense.” After traveling the globe for a while I was brought to New York by fashion but soon grew tired of living out of a suitcase and all the people who take themselves way too seriously. I began working as a promotional director for nightclubs such as Life, Spa, and Crobar. Though I’ve always loved the art of nightlife, the ability to make every person feel welcome as if all the production was just for them, and the challenge of keeping it interesting and cutting edge; I grew weary of the grueling hours and the fact that I was getting older but the crowds stayed the same age.  The transition from nightclubs to restaurants came completely natural. I love hospitality and having the unique ability to change people’s experience. We literally get to create lifelong memories for our guests and that is not a responsibility I take lightly. With fourteen years of New York under my belt it was time for a change. Los Angeles is as if you took Miami and New York and put it in a blender so it was a perfect fit for me. It’s great to work for a company who at the core has the same integrity and vision as you, but the fact that I wear flip flops to work half the time doesn’t hurt either.
 

What’s your favorite secret spot in Los Angeles?

 There is a hike in Malibu where you literally go above the clouds and there is never anyone there but if I told you exactly where it is then people would start showing up, next thing you know cats and dogs living together; mass hysteria!!!

iPhone or Blackberry? What APP do you use the most?

Blackberry. I am not the kind of guy who downloads things or plays games on their phone, though one of my friends downloaded google maps on my phone and I wouldn’t have made it in LA without it. So who knew? I guess I do have a favorite app…

What’s one of your most memorable moments in the building?

I’m not going to get into the whole getting groped by a chimpanzee in the Cactus Lounge. But truly one of the proudest moments I’ve had at The Standard, Hollywood was recently I was able to hold a fundraiser during our weekly acoustic night “Desert Nights” for an organization that is very near to my heart, Zeno Mountain Farm. Zeno Mountain Farm is a non-profit that runs various camps throughout the year to allow people with disabilities to take part in either a creative or athletic coalition. I was a little trepidatious about arriving to my place of work with a group of over thirty people, half of whom are special needs, but the outpouring of love from everyone on our staff from the second they arrived at valet to the front desk answering all their questions and our waitstaff making sure everyone was taken care of, even most the executive staff came up, took pictures and joined us on the dance floor. I spoke earlier about how we create memories for people and how that is not taken lightly; it is however often taken for granted, most of us have the privilege to travel or hang out in cool places. For that group of people and for many of our guests who have saved all year to come to The Standard, Hollywood (because they’ve seen it in a movie or read about it somewhere) is a once in a lifetime experience. That was a magical night here and exemplary of why this is such a special place and has had the level of longevity and success it has.

I spend most of my time thinking about ____________?

Food, hands down!

What was the last song you downloaded?

I don’t do those kind of things

What is your favorite movie based in a hotel?

The Shining, I named my apartment after it

How has 2011 treated you so far

Amazing, it just keeps getting better…

When you finally break free from work, what is the next awesome place you plan to vacation to?

Most of my vacations are based around camp. There is “Music Camp” in September where everyone takes part in writing, producing, and performing a song which we then record in a music studio and make in to a video (we shot the last one at Joshua Tree).  I just did “Actors Camp”  where we write,  produce, and film a movie in which everyone at camp is star alongside the likes of Mario Lopez, David Arquette, and Joe Manganiello. We also have a ski camp, summer camp, and sports camp. My next trip is actually back to New York this weekend. No one including campers, counselors, and directors pays or gets paid to be a part of camp so we hold various fundraisers throughout the year.

This Saturday, June 11th at 8pm we will have our NYC benefit where we premiere the movie we shot at last year’s Actor’s camp at the Tribeca Film Centre at 57 Varick Street with afterparty immediately following. If you would like to attend please rsvp on our facebook page but make sure you’re prepared to dance your face off.

(Teaser Trailer of Burning Like a Fire by Zeno Mountain Farm)