Lewis Catchpole - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers - Page 6

1 min

Skye’s Coruisk House celebrates AA 4-star rating

📚 Coruisk House on the Isle of Skye received a four-star Restaurant with Rooms rating from the AA near Elgol. Inspectors praised its attention to detail, refined dining, and characterful accommodation. Clare Winskill, the owner, developed it into a destination known for local ingredients over a decade. It features four bedrooms and two holiday cottages. The AA also awarded it a rosette for high culinary standards, celebrating its commitment to local produce and suppliers.

1 min

Claridges posts £5.4m loss amid refurb costs

📈 Five-star hotel Claridges, during the year ending 31 December 2024, reported a £5.4m loss, down from a £7.2m profit the previous year, due to major refurbishment. Revenues increased to £136.9m from £119.3m. Operating profit fell to £26.4m from £35.1m, with finance costs rising to £31.3m. After a deferred tax credit, the net profit was £2m. Average staff numbers were 824, with wage costs totaling £28.2m.

1 min

BLS UK Hotels acquires the Trefeddian Hotel in Aberdyfi

💵 BLS UK Hotels Ltd acquired the Trefeddian Hotel in Aberdyfi for £6.55 million, ending over 100 years of family ownership by the Cave-Browne-Cave family. The Birmingham-based law firm Wilkes, with Cooper Parry and Skye Corporate Finance, advised on the transaction. The sale reflects increasing confidence in the UK hospitality sector, with rising single-asset hotel transactions. Caroline Cave-Browne-Cave praised the legal team's support during the process.

1 min

Macdonald Hotels reports 10% rise in coffee sales

☕ Macdonald Hotels and Resorts saw a 10% rise in coffee sales across 32 UK sites over the past year, preparing over 737,000 cups by September. Founded in 1990, the group operates in the UK and Spain, investing in food and beverage services. Partnering with Suffolk-based Paddy and Scott’s, they funded 8,100 meals in Meru, Kenya, with a goal of 12,160 by year-end. The initiative supports coffee-growing communities through direct trade.

2 min

Clarion Hotel Charlecote Pheasant appoints Lee Goodman as GM

🏨 Lee Goodman has been appointed as the general manager of the Clarion Charlecote Pheasant Hotel in Warwickshire. With 20 years in hospitality, he previously managed locations in Kenilworth, Knowle, and Birmingham. The hotel, dating back to the 16th century, recently refurbished 40 guest rooms with a Shakespeare theme, enhancing its 70-room offering. Now under the Choice Hotels EMEA brand, it aims to attract both UK and international guests with its historic charm and modern amenities.

2 min

Amano to open its second London site with Waterman acquisition

🏠 Amano Group acquired Waterman House, 41 Kingsway, on September 29, 2023, to convert it into a 70-room boutique hotel. Located near Covent Garden, the 25,000 sq ft building has been vacant for nearly 10 years. This acquisition, part of a partnership with Excellion Capital, brings Amano’s London investment to approximately £150 million. The project will feature guest accommodation and a ground-floor food retail unit. The building was formerly owned by Regal Hotels International Holdings.

2 min

Q3 UK hotel investment volumes rise 28% YoY to over £1bn

💰 UK hotel investment reached £1.04bn in Q3 2025, a 28% year-on-year increase, led by London with £697m in transactions. Single asset transactions made up 92% of deals. Domestic owner-operators bought £1.2bn, up 77% on the 10-year average, while international asset managers purchased £734m, a 1,000% increase from 2024. Regional markets saw significant growth: Scotland at £316m (up 85%), South West at £180m (up 360%), and West Midlands at £256m (up 310%).

2 min

The Balmoral names Matthew O’Donnell as head sommelier at Number One

🍷 Matthew O’Donnell, a seasoned sommelier from Airdrie, has been appointed head sommelier at The Balmoral's Number One restaurant in Edinburgh. With over ten years of experience, including positions at Ashford Castle, Grantley Hall, and Gleneagles, he is known for his expertise in world-class wines. O’Donnell, holding multiple WSET qualifications, aims to enhance sustainable wine offerings, especially from Austria. Number One, established in 1997, boasts four AA Rosettes and is Michelin Guide recommended.

2 min

The Francis Hotel Bath unveils £14m refurb

🏨 The Francis Hotel in Bath will reveal its refurbished 98 rooms in November, following a £14 million redesign by 3DReid, who previously worked on Gleneagles and Cameron House. Originally Georgian townhouses, the hotel was transformed in 1884. Updates include modern amenities and a new restaurant, Emberwood, which opened in May. By 2026, a thermal spa will be added. The project repositions the hotel as a townhouse destination, blending heritage with contemporary hospitality.

2 min

The Newman and Saira Hospitality celebrate first cohort of graduates

🏨 The Newman Hotel, by Kinsfolk and Co, hired its first graduate group in July via a month-long training scheme with Saira Hospitality. Located in London, the hotel recruited 40% more graduates than planned, including guest service agents, room attendants, bartenders, and chefs. Charities like Breaking Barriers and local career services in Camden and Westminster referred candidates. The program aimed to foster industry diversity and progress, benefiting participants like Seynabou, now a front desk agent.

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