Today’s news in brief – 19/6/24
HS Hotels has acquired three hotels from the Coast and Country Collection: the Beresford Hotel in Newquay, Cornwall, the Valley of Rocks Hotel in Lynton, North Devon, and the Carlton Hotel in Yarmouth, Norfolk. The Beresford Hotel offers 103 bedrooms with views over Tolcarne Beach and the Atlantic Ocean, featuring an all-day restaurant, a ballroom, and a conservatory. The Valley of Rocks Hotel, a 68-bedroom Grade II listed property, is located on a clifftop and allows guests to access the town and its beaches via the historic Cliff Railway. The Carlton Hotel in Great Yarmouth boasts 97 bedrooms and is close to Pleasure Beach, known for its entertainment program and proximity to local attractions. The deal was facilitated by Christie and Co’s regional hotel experts Stephen Champion and Simon Jackaman, who highlighted the robust demand for coastal hotels despite economic challenges. The sale is part of a larger portfolio with a limited number of assets still available.
Stratford Park Hotel and Golf Club in Stratford-upon-Avon has launched a new outdoor dining and drinking area following an £80k investment. The project, executed in collaboration with Lucy Bravington Design, has resulted in one of the largest beer gardens in the area. The 32-bedroom hotel’s new space features private pods connected by stone paths, designed for groups ranging from four to twenty people. Over 1,500 plants will enhance the garden’s aesthetic as they mature. Lucy Bravington, who recently won a Gold award at BBC Gardeners’ World Live 2023, expressed pride in her involvement. General manager Beverley Haynes highlighted the project’s success in increasing the hotel’s outdoor seating capacity and thanked the partners who contributed to its completion.
Choice Hotels has appointed David Beers as the new CEO for the EMEA region. With a career spanning 25 years at Choice, Beers has held various leadership roles, most recently as head of international operations, where he drove efficiencies and value propositions for franchisees. In his new role, Beers will focus on strategic growth and financial performance for the nearly 400 hotels in the EMEA region. Ricardo Losada Revol, senior vice president and general manager international, endorsed Beers’ leadership and vision for expanding Choice’s market presence and enhancing customer experiences.
Foxhills has appointed Kelly Elton as the new group director of sales, aiming to expand its meetings and events business. Elton brings extensive experience from her tenure at Hand Picked Hotels and other hospitality roles. At Foxhills, she will enhance conference and team-building initiatives and oversee corporate business at Farleigh in Warlingham. Her focus will include promoting Foxhills’ wellbeing activities, engaging with nearby film studios, and strengthening ties with the automotive industry. Elton is enthusiastic about growing both domestic and international business, leveraging Foxhills’ reputation and facilities, which have benefited from substantial investments over the years.
