Cynera Rodricks - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers - Page 4

1 min

The Lensbury announces £10m refurbishment programme

🏨 The Lensbury, a Teddington-based resort, will undergo a £10 million refurbishment starting February 2026. The project involves upgrading its 155-room facilities, including the Club House restaurant, reception, and guestrooms, aiming for completion by late summer 2026. The 25-acre property will remain operational, with meals served in the Dunbar lounge during restaurant closure. Managed by L+R Hotels, The Lensbury was established in 1920 and operates as a four-star resort.

2 min

Gilpin Hotel and Lake House appoints Chris Cooper as GM

🏨 Chris Cooper, a 15-year luxury hospitality veteran, becomes general manager of Gilpin Hotel and Lake House after Thomas Ferrante's departure. Previously at The Grand, York, Cooper was 'Leader of the Year 2025' and led the hotel to win VisitEngland’s 'Large Hotel of the Year 2024'. He will manage operations, including the Michelin-starred Source and Gilpin Spice. The owners emphasize Cooper's alignment with their family-run values and thank Ferrante for his impactful leadership.

1 min

Airbnb appoints Jesse Stein as head of hotels

🏨 Airbnb appoints Jesse Stein as head of hotels to expand its boutique hospitality offerings. Stein, with Airbnb since 2020, will integrate independent hotels into the platform and optimize the hotel experience, identified as a growth lever for 2026. With previous roles at KHP Capital Partners, Kimpton Hotels, Wyndham, and Starwood, Stein aims to forge partnerships and improve hotel listings. His focus is on bringing boutique and independent hospitality globally.

1 min

The Malone to open in February following multi-million pound rebrand

🏨 Belfast, February 2026: The Malone hotel reopens after an 18-month, multi-million-pound renovation, transforming the former Malone Lodge Hotel into a 103-bedroom, four-star luxury boutique hotel. The project includes redesigned rooms, the new Gallery restaurant, and Greyhound bar, creating 20 jobs. The hotel, owned by the Macklin family, dates back to 1945 as The Bowness Hotel. It earned recognition as one of the "24 best new hotels in the UK" by The Times.

2 min

Novotel launches global longevity strategy for hotel estate

🏨 Novotel launched the "Longevity Everyday" strategy to promote health and wellness across 67 countries. By 2030, the wellness travel sector is expected to be worth $4.6 trillion. Starting April 2026, Novotel will offer new menus with 25% plant-forward options. They partnered with Alfie Steiner for recipe development, joined the Seafood Task Force, and committed to ocean preservation with WWF, aiming to remove 350 endangered species from menus by 2027. Eco-certified beds will be installed globally by 2030.

1 min

The Horseshoe Inn sold to new hospitality operators

🏠 Mitali and Anil Bhardwaj acquired The Horseshoe Inn in Eddleston, near Peebles, on December 18, 2025. The inn, located four miles north of Peebles and 30 minutes from Edinburgh, features a restaurant with an AA Rosette Award, a bar with a selection of whiskies, and eight en suite bedrooms in a restored Victorian schoolhouse. The property holds a 4-Gold Star AA rating, and the new owners plan to maintain the existing staff and traditional decor.

1 min

Valor Hospitality doubles UK portfolio to 40 sites

🏨 Valor Hospitality expanded its UK operations from 17 hotels in 2021 to 40 by 2026. In January 2026, they added four hotels: Crowne Plaza Aberdeen Airport, Holiday Inn Express Aberdeen Airport, Holiday Inn Express Trafford City, and Hampton by Hilton Liverpool John Lennon Airport, totaling 700 bedrooms and 17 meeting rooms. Established in 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia, Valor now oversees over 100 global properties, with the UK accounting for 7,000 bedrooms.

1 min

Steve Rockey joins The Zetter as head of people and culture

🏨 The Zetter has appointed Steve Rockey as head of people and culture for Europe. He joins as the group plans expansions, including a new opening in Bloomsbury. Rockey was previously people director at The Pig Hotels (2017-April 2025) and held senior roles at Byron, Pizza Express, and Compass Group. He has also consulted through Esoteric HR. This leadership strengthening comes amidst The Zetter's portfolio growth in the UK and Europe.

2 min

Bristol Hoteliers look to new arena to support local business growth

🎭 Bristol Hoteliers Association announced that the YTL Arena Bristol, a 20,000-capacity venue in North Bristol, will open in 2028 at the Brabazon Hangars. Initially set for 2022, its completion is now anticipated to boost local businesses. The venue will be in the top five largest in Europe and includes a train station with an 11-minute journey to central Bristol. The hospitality sector anticipates economic growth, with past events in Cardiff already benefiting Bristol hotels.

1 min

Peak District’s The Chequers Inn brought to market for £750k

🏠 The Chequers Inn, a 16th Century inn in the Peak District, is for sale at £750,000 plus VAT. Jonathan and Joanne Tindall have owned and operated it for nearly 25 years. The property features a bar, 80-cover restaurant, woodland garden, and seven en-suite rooms. An AA Rosette recognizes its cuisine. Christie and Co is handling the sale. The inn has operated since the 1700s and remains a thriving business.

Input your search keywords and press Enter.