Hotel Owner August 2018 | Page 17

MONTH IN REVIEW GO ONLINE www.hotelowner.co.uk 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 HOTEL BRANDS HOTEL OPENINGS APPOINTMENTS Hotel brand IHG has announced the debut UK locations for its boutique brand Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants and its recently launched Voco Hotels brand. The group will launch the first Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants in London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow, and the first Voco hotel will make its UK debut in Cardiff. The move follows the announcement made in May of an agreement with holding company Covivio (formerly Foncière des Régions), to rebrand and operate 12 high-quality open hotels in the UK. Nine of the hotels have joined IHG’s brand portfolio, with the remaining three expected to join in Q3 this year. CEO Kenneth Macpherson said: “I am delighted to be able to confirm the UK debut locations for Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants and our new upscale brand, Woco Hotels. The expansion of our global footprint in high-growth luxury and upscale segments is gaining momentum, with IHG now the leading luxury operator in the UK.” Budget hotel chain Travelodge has opened a new flagship Travelodge Plus hotel in London in celebration of 30 years of trading in the capital. The 395-room property located on Middlesex Street is the company’s largest new-build hotel to date, represents an investment of £95m for third party investors and has created 100 jobs. In addition to this latest opening, the chain has also recently opened three peroperties in Acton, Bromley and Dagenham. Collectively these three hotels represent an investment of £82m for third party investors and have created 80 new jobs. Paul Harvey, Travelodge MD of property said: “As London’s first budget hotel chain, we are delighted to mark our 30th anniversary of trading in the capital by opening our new flagship Travelodge Plus hotel in the city of London. “This opening which is our 75th London hotel, celebrates how far the brand has grown and become symbolic in London for offering unbeatable value and making it affordable for business and leisure travellers to visit our capital.” The Trump Turnberry hotel has made two key appointments, promoting team members who have a combined 17 years’ experience at the hotel. Scott Anderson has been promoted to director of operations at Trump Turnberry, with Caroline Kennedy lounge and bar manager. Anderson will oversee all of the hotel’s operational departments which incorporates room management, front office and concierge, housekeeping, food and beverage as well as service and stewarding. Since joining the hotel as head waiter in 2005, Anderson has become an integral part of the Trump Turnberry’s £200m refurbishment - he was responsible for the concept development of the resort’s F&B outlets and banqueting facilities including the launch of the 600-capacity ballroom. Kennedy will manage the hotel’s bar and lounge, she has previous experience at Turnberry having first worked with the hotel in 2012. She has also had roles in the leisure sector in St. Andrews and Dubai. Ralph Porciani, general manager at Trump Turnberry, said: “Both Scott and Caroline are very much part of the family here...with a combined track record that speaks for itself. Scott has played a huge part in shaping the renowned food and beverage offering we have here at the hotel and we are delighted to have him leading the way. “Caroline’s new role will draw on her years of experience in F&B operations and her talent for seamlessly managing the hub of the hotel, The grand tea lounge and bar, offering guests a truly memorable experience each time they visit.” IHG unveils debut UK locations for new luxury brands Travelodge opens £95m London flagship hotel BITESIZE ROUNDUP The Mandarin Oriental hotel by Hyde Park is anticipating a partial re-opening of the property in the fourth quarter of the year, following a fire which broke out on 6 June 2018. The hotel currently remains closed, but the group said the fire damage had mainly been confined to the exterior courtyard of the property. In other news Airbnb listings now equal roughly a third (32%) of the size of the hotel sector in London, with 64,000 Airbnb listed properties in the capital competing with 197,970 hotel rooms. Finally, a man has been arrested by Welsh police on suspicion of arson over a fire that broke out at Ty Belgrave House hotel in Aberystwyth, Wales. Trump Turnberry makes two senior appointments END: THAT’S ALL. YOU ARE NOW UP TO DATE August 2018 www.hotelowner.co.uk 17