QUALITY IN TOURISM > when an inspector calls
negatives were minimised.
on guests; similarly, finishing dirty works House. The response from guests has at a reasonable hour to allow clean-up, been exceptional, in part because of well in advance of your check-in can the positivity with which the programme is to stay true to your business at its
also help. It does of course also depend was handled and in part because of heart. If you’re known as a country
what you are having done. As you will the obvious love and dedication that retreat, any room upgrades should be
see in the profile of Tickton Grange, has gone into the project. Guests were fresh and delightful, but should stay
their refurb included a restoration of genuinely interested and invested true to the core cosy, comfy, country
their library in the heart of a Georgian in the project and so any potential idylls that your guests will hold.
One final piece of advice to give
CASE STUDIES:
Tickton Grange, Beverley,
East Yorkshire
A Georgian Country Hotel with 21
glorious bedrooms and surrounded
by gardens and meadows, Tickton
Grange embarked on its largest ever
refurbishment project, at the beginning
of this year. Owner, Helen Whymant
explains: “We completely redesigned our
library in January/February of this year,
the heart of this lovely old Georgian
42
BEFORE
AFTER
house. This was a massive undertaking hugely rewarding. As a small family us, but already the signs are that the
for us, not least because our guests business this was an enormous risk for benefits will outweigh the risk.”
really love the room and didn’t want it
to change. It was however, very tired. Colton House, Staffordshire
Working with interior designers and Set in a peaceful village in the heart of Staffordshire, Colton House is a Georgian
also utilising the feedback from the Grade II-listed luxury guest house. At its last inspection they discussed with
assessors, we took a leap of faith and their assessor how guest expectations and requirements were changing along
completely transformed the room. with current trends. As a result, owners Ron and Gay Lawrence invested in
The bar was redesigned and rebuilt. the upgrade of their rooms. They installed new task lighting, refurbished all
The ceiling came down, the floors upholstery items, replaced curtains & blinds, and then repainted the rooms to
came up, we rewired, replumbed, we match the new colour scheme.
built new bookcases and reinstated
Ron and Gay comment: “Guests have agreed that duvets are preferential
panelling, the sofas and chairs were to blankets, and that they like the colours and styles of the rooms. Some have
designed and built specifically for us, commented that they now need to come back and try all of the rooms, to decide
curtains and blinds were hung and which one they prefer.” They continue: “The assessors have great experience
the walls were lined with a fabulous and are knowledgeable. The best advice we were ever given by the assessor
range of framed Hockney illustrations, was to be yourself and not try to be something that you ‘think’ you should be.”
from posters to books and programme
covers, to celebrate his East Yorkshire
connections.”
Helen continues: “When we put
the first images out on social media
there was a frenzy of interest which
took us by surprise and we were
delighted with. What we are most thrilled
BEFORE
about is that the refurbished room is
loved by young and old alike. Our great
staff seems to have more of a spring
in their step and the feedback and
AFTER
discussions with our guests has been
www.hotelowner.co.uk
April 2017