Cynera Rodricks - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers

1 min

The Balmoral retains Forbes five-star rating

🏨 The Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh, part of Rocco Forte Hotels, retains its five-star Forbes Travel Guide rating. Situated at 1 Princes Street, this luxury property has 187 rooms and suites and first opened in 1902. It features the 4AA Rosette restaurant Number One, Brasserie Prince, and Palm Court for afternoon tea. The Scotch bar offers over 500 single malt whiskies. The hotel also boasts the Irene Forte Spa for wellness treatments, reaffirming its luxury standing in Scotland.

2 min

McKeever Hotels marks 40 years in hospitality

🏨 McKeever Hotels celebrates 40 years in hospitality in 2026, marking its founding in 1986 with Corr’s Corner in Newtownabbey, Ireland. The group now runs seven hotels with 600 employees. A five-year plan focuses on investment, expansion, and sustainability through 2031. Celebrations include a gala dinner, staff volunteering, and promotions. Robin Swann, MP for South Antrim, acknowledged the milestone in the House of Commons. The business, founded by Eugene and Catherine McKeever, is led by their children, Eddie and Bridgene.

2 min

Ox Pasture Hall hotel sold out of liquidation

🏠 Ox Pasture Hall, a 39-bedroom hotel near Scarborough, was bought by Wesley and Chloe Nunns in 2025 after liquidation. The property spans 17 acres on the edge of North York Moors National Park, featuring a restaurant, wedding barn, and spa. With a background in accountancy, the Nunns aim to reopen it as a wedding venue. Legal support was by John Morgan and John Cooper, and Christie and Co managed the sale, noting healthy demand despite its closure.

2 min

Brandshatch Place Hotel and Spa appoints Matthew Selch as GM

🏨 Hand Picked Hotels appointed Matthew Selch as general manager of Brandshatch Place Hotel and Spa in Kent. With 10+ years of leadership experience, including roles at Village Hotels and De Vere Hotels, Selch will enhance the hotel’s bespoke events and private hire offerings. The hotel collaborates with local venues like Mount Vineyard and London Golf Club. Hand Picked Hotels runs 21 hotels across the UK and Channel Islands, aiming to strengthen their presence in the Kent event market.

2 min

Radisson and Manchester City unveil Medlock branding

🏨 Radisson Hotel Group and Manchester City are launching The Medlock, a 401-room hotel located on the Etihad Campus, Manchester, opening bookings from October 2026. This site will feature a penthouse, brasserie, wine bar, fitness studio, and Pitch View meeting rooms. Operated by Valor Hospitality, it will serve visitors to nearby stadiums and arenas. Inspired by Manchester's industrial heritage, it aims to be a flagship property for business, leisure, and events.

2 min

Mad Swans secures £10m funding for two leisure sites

🎵 Mad Swans, a Longshot venture founded by Joel Cadbury and Oliver Vigors, secured a £10m loan from OakNorth to develop leisure sites in Mendips and South Downs. These sites will feature repurposed 12-hole golf courses, padel and pickleball courts, driving ranges, eco-cabins, and dining facilities. This marks their third deal with OakNorth, following previous collaborations on Beaverbrook and Bel and the Dragon. The project transforms underperforming golf clubs into wellness venues, enhancing the UK’s leisure landscape.

1 min

Kimpton Hotels appoints Garreth Walsh as area general manager

📈 Garreth Walsh, appointed as area general manager for Kimpton Hotels in central England, will lead Kimpton Fitzroy London and support Kimpton Clocktower Hotel and Manchester Deansgate Hotel. Walsh, with IHG since October 2019, brings a 15-year experience from The Doyle Collection, managing The Marylebone and Kensington Hotels. His hospitality career started at Jurys Doyle Hotel Group, where he held management roles, including deputy GM at Jurys Inn Islington.

1 min

Travelodge completes upgrade of Manchester Central Riverside site

🏨 Travelodge completed a refit of its Manchester Central Riverside hotel on 12 January 2026. Part of a UK-wide investment, the redesign includes a revamped reception with leather seating and LED lighting. Rooms feature a navy and neutral palette, king-size beds, USB points, blackout curtains, and low-energy lighting. Complimentary hand and body wash is provided. Wi-Fi is free for 30 minutes, with 24-hour access costing £3. The investment is yielding commercial benefits.

2 min

Aimbridge appoints Latin America and all-inclusive divisions president

📈 Aimbridge Hospitality appoints Alex Fiz as president of its Latin America and all-inclusive divisions starting March 2, 2026. He replaces Leandro Castillo, who retires on February 28, 2026, but will stay in an advisory role. Fiz, with 34 years at Marriott, will focus on international growth, capitalizing on leisure segments in the Caribbean and Latin America. Aimbridge emphasizes disciplined execution for expanding its portfolio in these regions.

1 min

Meininger Hotels secures first Dublin site

🏨 Meininger Hotels plans to open a 232-room property in Dublin's Liberties district, next to Vicar Street and the National College of Art and Design, by April 2028. The 8,163-square-metre building will offer 811 beds to address Dublin's accommodation undersupply, where hotel occupancy rates exceed 80%. This is part of Meininger's growth strategy, aiming for 50 locations from their current 36. Other projects are underway in Barcelona, Madrid, and Tel Aviv.

Input your search keywords and press Enter.