Olivia Watts - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers - Page 10

Woman in a yellow dress stands on a rocky jetty, looking out over calm turquoise water with distant hills and boats. It’s a sunny coastal scene.

1 min

SeaSpace Appoints Andrew Kitching as General Manager to Drive Guest Experience and Business Growth in Cornwall Hotel

🏖️ Cornwall's SeaSpace coastal hotel appointed Andrew Kitching as general manager to enhance guest experience and business growth. With 20+ years in hospitality, Kitching has led at Peckforton Castle, Cheshire, and Parkdean Resorts. His role focuses on operations and positioning SeaSpace as a leading UK hospitality destination. CEO Ben Harper praised Kitching's team development skills and guest focus, aligning with SeaSpace's innovative vision for redefining coastal hospitality.

3 min

Luxury Family Hotels Reopens The Ickworth in Suffolk After Extensive Renovation by StudioJill, Enhancing Family Experiences

🏨 Luxury Family Hotels reopened The Ickworth in Suffolk after a complete renovation by StudioJill, focusing on a family-friendly approach. The estate now features updated guest rooms, public areas, a spa with an Elemis retreat, and an upgraded fitness facility. Dining includes Italianate and British classics, and partnerships with Bugaboo and Scandiborn enhance family services. StudioJill, led by Jill Higgins, completed its fifth refurbishment for the hotel group, blending heritage architecture with modern design.

The Nici Group Expands with Openings of Two New Hotels in New Forest and Newquay in 2024

🏨 Luxury hotel group, the Nici, expanded in 2024, opening two new locations in the New Forest and Newquay. The Nici New Forest, occupying 23 acres by the Lymington River, features 118 rooms, a spa, café, restaurant, and outdoor pool. The Nici Newquay, with 82 rooms, offers an Amalfi-inspired restaurant, NICI spa, and gym. Both openings mark significant growth for the brand, with further expansion plans in Southampton underway.

1 min

Crossbasket Castle Hotel Appoints Zoe Douglas as Director of Spa for £24m Expansion Including New Four Angels Spa

🏨 Crossbasket Castle Hotel appoints Zoe Douglas as Director of Spa and Wellness, leveraging her decade-long experience, including roles at Archerfield and Farncombe Estate. This move precedes the autumn opening of the Four Angels Spa. The spa is part of the hotel's £24 million expansion, featuring bespoke treatments and enhanced facilities like saunas and steam rooms. The project also introduces Crossbasket Cabins for accommodation. Recruitment for therapists and reception roles is ongoing.

Neil Butler Leaves Chester Grosvenor Ahead of Hotel's Indefinite Closure Due to Structural Concerns

📍 Neil Butler, hotel manager at The Chester Grosvenor, exits the hospitality industry after 35 years. The Chester Grosvenor closes indefinitely this September due to RAAC issues. Bespoke Hotels ceases operations at the location, prioritizing the hotel's long-term future in Chester. Paul Mannion expressed regret over the closure's impact. Butler, with past roles at Macdonald Hotels, Hotel Gotham, and Hotel Brooklyn, cherishes his journey and contributions in mentoring and supporting colleagues.

2 min

Dominus Sells Courtyard by Marriott Oxford City Centre to Millemont Capital Partners in £74M Deal, 2026's Largest Urban Sale Outside London

🏨 Dominus sold the Courtyard by Marriott Oxford City Centre to Millemont Capital Partners for £74 million, marking 2026's largest urban single-asset sale outside London. Dominus acquired the property in 2014, transforming it into a 160-room hotel with occupancy rates above 90% since 2019. Preet Ahluwalia, Dominus CEO, highlighted successful development and 12-year ownership. Millemont's Ashley Shaw noted over £150 million in transactions during the first half of 2026, emphasizing Oxford's strong market.

Ibis Styles Hotel Bournemouth Sold Out of Administration to Switch Management, Securing 30 Local Jobs

🏨 Ibis Styles Hotel Bournemouth, a 78-bedroom establishment, was sold out of administration on January 8, 2025, by RSM UK and Switch Management. Located in East Cliff, Bournemouth, the deal preserved approximately 30 jobs. This marks Switch Management's second acquisition in the area, following a £2m investment in Queen’s Hotel and Spa. This strategic move aims to maintain high hospitality standards and create long-term value.

2 min

Chris Whitmore Appointed Head Chef at Scarlet Hotel, Cornwall, Bringing Experience from Gordon Ramsay’s Maze and More

🍳 Chris Whitmore has been appointed as the head chef at the Scarlet Hotel in Mawgan Porth, Cornwall, replacing Jack Clayton. Whitmore, with extensive fine dining experience in London, Hong Kong, and Qatar, joins to collaborate with Tom Hunter, head of food, to revamp menus. The focus will be on using local, seasonal ingredients with minimal waste, featuring dishes like lamb with broad beans. Whitmore's sustainable approach aligns with the hotel's ethos.

1 min

The Nici Appoints Charmaine Harbour as Head of Spa for New Hotels in Cornwall and New Forest

🏨 The Nici appoints Charmaine Harbour as head of spa for new hotels in Newquay and New Forest, set to open this summer. Harbour brings experience from roles at Beaverbrook, Champneys, and more. The Nici Newquay will feature 82 rooms, a spa, gym, and cinema, while the New Forest site will include 118 rooms, a spa, and tennis courts. Located in Cornwall and New Forest, these are designed as wellness destinations.

2 min

Castlebridge Hospitality Expands Leadership: Joe Davidovitz Promoted to GM, James Watson Joins as Operations Manager

🏨 Castlebridge Hospitality has expanded its leadership, promoting Joe Davidovitz to general manager at voco Winchester Hotel and Spa and appointing James Watson as hotel operations manager in February 2026. Davidovitz, with 15 years at IHG, advanced to hotel manager in January 2025. Watson brings 12 years at Marriott. Both aim to enhance market positioning and guest experience. Craig Patterson, managing director, believes their expertise will drive company growth and enhance hospitality services.

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