Hotel Owner April 2019 | Page 10

MONTH IN REVIEW MONTH IN REVIEW www.hotelowner.co.uk REFURBISHMENTS HOTEL OPENINGS Trump Turnberry invests £1.6m in cottage suite restoration The Fattal Hotel Group acquires four Grange Hotels leases Trump Turnberry has completed the restoration of its cottage suites collection, through a £1.6m investment in the Ayrshire resort in Scotland. Launching in March 2019, the restoration of the nine two-bedroom accommodations forms part of the hotel’s ongoing multi-million-pound refurbishment. According to the hotel, the latest investment opens up a “new era of contemporary accommodation”, offering a “home away from home” option for guests. Dating back to 1902, the Cottage Suites are at the forefront of the resort’s accommodation and have each been fully restored with Turnberry’s “stunning surroundings and rich heritage in mind.” Ralph Porciani, general manager of Trump Turnberry, said: “We’re very proud to unveil the Cottage Suites at Turnberry. It’s a project we’ve put a lot of care and attention into and one which introduces a truly unique element to our renowned accommodation. “The Cottage Suites offer the unmistakable hospitality and atmosphere of Turnberry, but with the feel of a private haven for guests. They are perfectly suited to families and groups who want to explore everything Ayrshire has to offer including the nearby National Trust sites, Culzean Castle and Robert Burns Birthplace Museum.” Eric Trump added: “Trump Turnberry is one of the finest golf resorts anywhere in the world and we are proud to announce our next phase of investment into this property. When complete, the Cottage Suites will be absolutely spectacular and will be an exciting new product offering for guests looking for even more space with all of the perks of a traditional hotel suite.” The Fattal Hotel Group has announced that it has agreed to acquire the long term lease on four Grange Hotels in London, marking the group’s first entry into the central London market. 10 www.hotelowner.co.uk Totalling over 1,300 bedrooms, the new hotels include the Grange Tower Bridge Hotel, the Grange St Paul’s Hotel, the Grange City Hotel and the Grange Holborn Hotel, which, following a significant investment programme, will undergo major refurbishments as the group continues to pursue a strategy to drive performance and growth. The new hotels will be operated by Jurys Inn and Leonardo Hotels UK and Ireland, with Tower Bridge, St Paul’s and City Hotels operating under Leonardo Royals, and Holborn, following extensive refurbishment, will become the group’s first NYX Hotel by Leonardo Hotels in the UK. Acquired by Queensgate Investments, the hotels boast meeting and events spaces that can facilitate over 4,500 people, 14 bars and restaurants, and extensive leisure facilities – including swimming pools, gyms, beauty spas and holistic therapy rooms. The addition of these hotels brings the total number within the Jurys Inn and Leonardo Hotels UK and Ireland Group to 53, following a year of “significant expansion”. In total, it now has over 11,000 bedrooms across the group. 1 2 3 4 5 HOTEL OPENINGS Wetherspoons reveals plans for new Wolverhampton hotel Planning has been approved for a new 70-bedroom Wetherspoons hotel in Wolverhampton, which will be attached to a £7m museum celebrating the history of the company. The chain will turn its existing pub in Wolverhampton, called The Moon Under Water, into the new museum, and the hotel itself will be a completely new build - creating 50 jobs. Wetherspoons currently has 58 hotels in the UK, and the new Wolverhampton property will have the largest amount of bedrooms in the group’s UK hotel portfolio. It’s current largest hotel is located in Barrow, Cumbria, which has 50 bedrooms. Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said: “We have great plans for the popular The Moon Under Water pub. We believe this will be great for the pub, its customers and just as importantly the city itself. We feel the museum will prove popular with people who want to know more of the history of the company and see artefacts from the past. The fact that Wetherspoons wishes to house it in Wolverhampton is positive for the city.” QUOTE OF THE MONTH “We are extremely excited to have launched in the UK, and are very encouraged by our progress so far. We are delighted to have already partnered with so many amazing independent hotel owners from across the country, and look forward to working with many more.” That’s what Jeremy Sanders, head of OYO Hotels and Homes UK, said about the brand expecting to open 50 hotels in the UK by the end of April 2019. April 2019