Corina Duma - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers - Page 2

2 min

Samantha Dunion Appointed Vice Chair of Coventry and Warwickshire Hotel Network, Bringing 35 Years of Experience

📍 Samantha Dunion, with 35 years of experience, is the new vice chair of the Coventry and Warwickshire Hotel and Venue Network. Formed by the Convention Bureau in 2025, it promotes regional business collaboration. Faris Thowfeek of Ibis Hotel chairs the group. Hotel Indigo Coventry opened in January 2024. The network's inaugural meeting had over 30 representatives. Paul McMahon emphasizes collective growth amid challenges. Dunion aims to foster regional collaboration and support the hospitality sector.

4 min

UK Hotel Investments Rebound in 2026 with Stronger Transaction Volumes Amid Cost Pressures, JLL Reports

🏨 In 2026, UK hotels are regaining investor interest, driven by improved liquidity and rising transaction volumes. JLL highlights the recovery from the 2023 trough. Cushman and Wakefield report increased Q1 2026 UK hotel transactions, despite cost pressures. Success hinges on innovative placemaking, boosting cash flow with diversified income from F&B and wellness, and maintaining occupancy. Investors must see credible business plans; flexibility in placemaking enhances value. Strong operations and adaptive legal structures are crucial for creating memorable destinations.

3 min

Criterion Capital Appoints Vaqas Farooq as CEO to Lead UK, Portugal, and Abu Dhabi Hotel Expansion

🏨 Criterion Capital appointed Vaqas Farooq as CEO and Steve Silvester as CFO to advance its development pipeline in the UK, Portugal, and Abu Dhabi. Criterion manages over £6bn in assets, with a hotel portfolio of 28 properties, including a 1,000-bed capsule hotel in London’s West End. In September 2024, Criterion secured a £16m refinancing package for Zedwell Greenwich, with a goal to expand to 8,000 rooms by 2029, currently operating over 3,000 rooms.

1 min

Village Hotel Club to Install Padel Courts at Multiple UK Locations, First Major Operator to Do So

🏓 Village Hotel Club is set to become the first major UK operator to introduce on-site padel courts. Starting with five floodlit courts in Wirral, new courts will soon open in Newcastle, Warrington, and Blackpool. In 2025, padel attracted over 860,000 players, up from 400,000 in 2024 and 129,000 in 2023. The group hosts 1.8 million hotel guests and 140,000 health club members annually across 34 UK venues, with facilities like gyms and coworking spaces.

2 min

Chef Dom Chapman and Restaurateur Nigel Sutcliffe to Open The Jack O’Newbury in Berkshire on September 2.

🍴 Chef Dom Chapman and restaurateur Nigel Sutcliffe will open The Jack O’Newbury in Binfield, Berkshire, on 2 September. Situated a few miles from Windsor, this 16th-century village inn underwent two years of renovation. It boasts an 80-cover dining room, 11 bedrooms, a kitchen garden, and a 20-cover terrace. The restaurant will serve Berkshire dishes daily and be led by Sutcliffe, who also co-founded The Crazy Bear and The Oarsman, with Chapman as the culinary head.

3 min

Hotelier Michael Holland Lists Fitzwilliam Hotel Belfast for Sale at £32 Million Through CBRE

🏨 Hotelier Michael Holland has listed the Fitzwilliam Hotel Belfast for £32 million. Acquired in 2015 for €23 million (£19.6 million), the hotel features 146 rooms and amenities like an award-winning bar. Planning approval for 52 new rooms was obtained in June 2023. Belfast saw 5.1 million visitors in 2025, with tourism spending increasing by 9% to £1.2 billion. Investors are interested given Belfast's growing hospitality sector, despite the competitive market with new entrants like The Bedford.

2 min

Conrad Dublin Appoints Aisling Feiritéar as HR Director and Lee Cooper as HR and Training Manager

🏨 Luxury hotel Conrad Dublin appoints Aisling Feiritéar as director of human resources and Lee Cooper as HR and training manager. Feiritéar has over 10 years of experience in luxury hospitality, while Cooper brings a 14-year background in hospitality. Their roles aim to enhance workplace culture and talent development. General manager Lynn McLaughlin emphasizes the commitment to an exceptional workplace culture. Conrad Dublin was recently recognized by Great Place to Work.

3 min

UK Government Launches Review of Business Rates for Pubs and Hotels, Aiming for Reforms by 2027

🏠 Business rates for pubs and hotels in England and Wales may be revised under a new Treasury review led by Jerry Schurder, concluding in March 2027. A 20% rate reduction for pubs and music venues will take effect in April 2027. The BBPA reports 161 pub closures and 2,400 job losses in early 2023. Rising costs from taxes and wages strain operators. The review informs the 2029 revaluation. Chancellor John Healey will detail relief criteria in the autumn Budget.

2 min

Sopwell House Appoints Luigi Villani as Director of Spa for Cottonmill and The Club at Cottonmill

🏠 Luigi Villani has been appointed as director of spa at Sopwell House in Hertfordshire to manage Cottonmill Spa and The Club at Cottonmill. Villani brings over 20 years of international luxury spa experience, including roles at Kempinski Hotels and Ocean View Monaco. His focus will be on operations, member strategy, and service delivery. Previously, the spa management structure was integrated with hotel operations, but now it operates under a two-tier management system with dedicated leadership.

3 min

Travelodge CEO Jo Boydell Resigns After 13 Years; Interim CEO Ray Reidy Appointed as Revenue Rises 4.2%

🏨 Travelodge CEO Jo Boydell resigned after 13 years. As of 30 June 2026, interim CEO Ray Reidy oversees a 4.2% revenue rise to £491.3m. EBITDA reached £47.9m, up from £47.3m in 2025, driven by hotel growth and a 22% revenue increase in Spain. Travelodge opened three hotels, with 75% of rooms refurbished. Costs rose due to wage and insurance hikes. Cash reserves stood at £84.3m, and third-quarter revenue increased by 3%.

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