MONTH IN REVIEW
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CELEBRITIES
Andy Murray’s
luxury hotel gets
top rating from
VisitScotland
Andy Murray’s Victorian mansion
has become one of only two five-star
gold country house hotels in Scotland
following a grading by VisitScotland.
Cromlix, just three miles from
Murray’s hometown of Dunblane,
received the highest award possible
from the national tourism organisation’s
Quality Assurance (QA) Scheme in
recognition of its exceptional standards
and outstanding customer service.
In order to achieve five-star gold
a business must excel in all aspects
of service and exceeding guest
expectations. The property must also
be at the very top end of quality.
The 19th century house became a
hotel in 1981 and was purchased by
Murray at the start of 2013.
Following extensive refurbishment,
the US Open, Olympic and Wimbledon
champion has transformed the
property into a luxury 15-bedroom and
gate lodge hotel.
Set in 34-acres woodland and
garden grounds that offers tennis
courts, fishing on the loch and in room
spa treatments.
The hotel also boasts a Chez Roux
restaurant, owner of Le Gavroche in
London, the first UK restaurant to be
awarded three Michelin Stars.
Graeme Green, general manager at
Cromlix House Hotel, said: “Everyone at
Cromlix is over the moon to receive this
grading from VisitScotland. Reinventing
the glorious era of grand country house
living, we strive to give our guests the
very best experience so it’s wonderful
to receive this recognition.”
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REGULATION
Interstate Europe
rolls out plastic
straw ban across
UK portfolio
Interstate Europe
Hotels and Resorts
has become the
latest organisation
to remove plastic
drinking straws
from its UK portfolio of around 70
hotels.
The third-party management
company is rolling out the new policy
to all of its operational UK properties,
meaning all plastic drinking straws
will be removed and replaced with
a biodegradable option to minimise
environmental impact.
Additionally, the new more eco-
friendly straws will be available on
request only in the hotels’ bars and
restaurants, in order to cut back on
usage and minimise waste.
Stephen Roach, Interstate Europe’s
vice president of food and beverage,
said: “As a responsible business it
made perfect sense to take action
and do what we can to reduce the
negative impact plastic is having on our
environment and our oceans.
“We estimate that within our
portfolio, our hotels get through
approximately 12,500 straws a week,
so by introducing these measures
we’re confident we can help make
a real difference and better support
the ongoing work that’s taking place
globally to protect the world we live in.”
He added: “We know that green
initiatives and working to lessen the
impact on our environment means a
lot to both our owners and our guests,
so we’re rolling this new policy out
immediately.
“We’ll also be continuing to review
other disposable plastic items we use,
such as drink stirrers, and seeking
greener alternatives wherever we can.”
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NEWS ANALYSIS
AccorHotels announced that it
signed agreements with a group of
international investors with a view
to sell ing a majority of the capital of
AccorInvest. AccorHotels will initially
sell 55% of AccorInvest to sovereign
funds such as Public Investment
Fund (PIF) and GIC, and institutional
investors Colony NorthStar and
Amundi. Ufi Ibrahim will step down
from her role as chief executive of
the BHA after it was agreed that the
proposed merger between the trade
organisation and the ALMR will go
forward. Across the pond Disney
World announced that their planned
Star Wars themed hotel will actually
be a part of the actually be a part of
the Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge theme
park itself.
INVESTMENT
AccorHotels
initiates sale of
majority stake in
AccorInvest
AccorHotels has announced that it
has signed agreements with a group
of international investors with a view
to selling a majority of the capital of
AccorInvest.
Under the terms of the agreements,
AccorHotels would initially sell 55% of
AccorInvest to sovereign funds such as
Public Investment Fund (PIF) and GIC,
and institutional investors like Credit
Agricole Assurances, Colony NorthStar
and Amundi.
The AccorInvest hotels would be
operated by AccorHotels under very-
long-term contracts, around 50 years
(including a 15-year renewal option)
for luxury and upscale hotels, and 30
years on average (including a 10-
year renewal option) for hotels in the
midscale and economy segments. The
management contract terms that have
been negotiated between the parties
are in line with market practices.
END: THAT’S ALL. YOU ARE NOW UP TO DATE
March 2018
www.hotelowner.co.uk
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