Cynera Rodricks - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers - Page 5

1 min

The NICI appoints John Willcock as general manager

🏨 John Willcock, a third-generation hotelier, was appointed as the new general manager of The NICI in Bournemouth. Having held senior roles at Hotel du Vin, Accor, Harbour Hotels, and Macdonald Hotels, Willcock brings extensive experience as he returns to the Dorset coast and the Nicolas James Group. The NICI, launched in 2022, aims to expand its brand with Willcock's leadership. Managing Director Lukasz Dwornik praised Willcock's regional expertise.

2 min

PPHE launches strategic review and begins formal sale process

💰 PPHE Hotel Group initiated a strategic review considering new capital or selling part/all of the company. Major shareholders Eli Papouchado and Boris Ivesha, holding 44% voting rights, support the review. PPHE's £2.2 billion portfolio spans Europe, including upscale hotels and campsites. Rothschild advises, and a formal UK Takeover Code sale process has begun. No active bidder discussions or approaches yet. The board may alter or terminate the process.

2 min

IoH Cymru (Wales) appoints new regional chair

📖 Jacqui Jones, programme director at University of Wales Trinity Saint David, was appointed chair of the Institute of Hospitality’s Cymru region in Wales in November 2025. As chair, Jones will oversee member engagement and professional development. Her appointment is designed to enhance collaboration between education and the hospitality sector. Robert Richardson, IoH chief executive, praised her dedication to education and hospitality. Recent regional developments include Inn Collection Group's £125m expansion, announced on October 30, 2025.

2 min

The Highfield brought to market for £2.25m in East Yorkshire

🏨 The Highfield hotel in Driffield, East Yorkshire, is on the market for £2.25m by Christie and Co after 10 years with current owners Andy and Lindsey Lampard. This Victorian-era, Grade II listed property features 12 bedrooms and sits on seven acres of land. It includes two AA Rosettes and is in the Michelin Hotel Guide. Originally built in the late 19th century, the property was transformed from a private residence to a hotel by the Lampards in 2015.

1 min

The Pig Hotels appoints new general manager

🏨 Ashley Ely has been appointed hotel director at The Pig near Bath in 2025. Previously, Ely served as general manager at The Newt in Somerset from 2023 to 2025. His extensive two-decade career includes roles at The Bird in Bath, Locke Hotels, Kaleidoscope Collection, Chewton Glen, and The Zetter Group. Ely expressed excitement about his new position, praising the team and setting.

3 min

ASA rules against major hotel brands over misleading ‘from’ price claims

📈 Major hotel brands Travelodge, Hilton, Accor, and Booking.com faced ASA rulings for misleading "from" price claims. Travelodge's Nottingham and Swansea ads misled due to limited date availability. Hilton's ads, claiming prices of £68 and £59 for Hampton by Hilton, lacked substantial availability data. Booking.com's EasyHotel Sheffield ad was misleading, with limited bookings at £28 in May 2025. Accor's Birmingham ad, at £27, failed due to limited date clarity, while Sheffield's ad was cleared with supporting data. ASA mandates future ad compliance.

1 min

Firmdale appoints new GM at Number Sixteen Hotel

🏨 Firmdale Hotels has appointed Charlotte Crampton Smith as general manager of Number Sixteen Hotel, South Kensington, London. Crampton Smith joined the group in 2011, initially as an intern at Crosby Street Hotel, New York, and held several roles, including deputy general manager at Haymarket Hotel. Number Sixteen features 41 unique bedrooms with Wi-Fi, TVs, and mini-bars. The hotel offers The Orangery restaurant, a Drawing Room, Library, and private garden.

2 min

UKH warns holiday tax U-turn would cost Brits £518m

💸 The Government is considering a holiday tax in England ahead of the 26 November Budget. Local leaders could apply a levy on accommodation, raising effective consumer rates to 27% with VAT. A 5% levy could cost consumers £518m. Over 89 million overnight trips were made in 2024, totaling 255 million nights. This proposal follows official assurances against a tourism tax, raising concerns about consumer spending and inflation. UKHospitality urges the government to maintain its previous stance.

2 min

Safestay agrees £5.35m Edinburgh hostel sale

🏠 Safestay will sell its Edinburgh Cowgate hostel freehold for £5.35m with a 10-year franchise agreement starting December 1, 2025. Originally purchased in October 2023 for £4.3m, Safestay invested £1.2m in refurbishment. It reported £0.95m in revenue and £0.125m profit before tax by December 2024. The franchise will bring £75,000 annually plus fees. Safestay aims to reduce debt and improve financial stability amidst pricing pressures affecting 2025 revenue.

1 min

Broadway Park Hotel on Isle of Wight sold to Caledonian Leisure

🏨 Broadway Park Hotel in Sandown, built in 1870 and featuring 106 bedrooms, is now part of Caledonian Leisure's portfolio as the Caledonian Island Hotel. Originally a family home, it has operated as a hotel since the early 1960s. This acquisition is part of a larger sale by Christie and Co, involving 33 Coast and Country Hotels with 2,664 bedrooms. David McDonald, Caledonian's finance director, expressed gratitude for acquiring their sixth hotel.

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