Award winning hotel manager set to further cement Nairn as world-class travel hotspot

An award winning General Manager has been appointed to head up Newton Hotel in Nairn, part of the leading hotel group, Oxford Hotels & Inns to help position it as the best hotel in the area and a quality place to stay for business and leisure breaks, as well as the ideal place to celebrate special occasions such as weddings, whilst further establishing Nairn as a world-class travel hotspot.

New General Manager Don McGregor has over 20 year’s managerial experience in the hotel industry. He joins Newton Hotel from the largest banqueting property in Scotland, the Thistle Hotel in Glasgow where he achieved three awards during his three years as General manager – he scooped Best Banqueting Venue, Best Bedroom Design and the Managers Gold Medal award for Service Excellence at the 2009 Scottish Hoteliers dinner.

Mr McGregor said: “I was attracted to Newton Hotel as it is in a first class location - Nairn is perfect for exploring the highlands, and the travel website, Trip Advisor recently put Nairn in second place, behind Troncones in Mexico on the list of the world’s top emerging travel hotspots. So my plan is to further cement this prestigious title by establishing the Newton as the best hotel in the area.”

Built as a family home in 1872, and standing in 21 acres of mature parkland and picturesque gardens, yet close to the highland town of Nairn, Newton Hotel is known for its enchanting location and was frequented by Charlie Chaplin. Overlooking Nairn Golf Course and beyond to Moray Firth, the hotel is the ideal spot for guests in search of peace and tranquillity to relax and unwind.

Mr McGregor’s previous roles also include managing the Carlton Highland Hotel in Edinburgh, where his speciality was organising and delivering high profile events. He was also part of the management team which took Cameron House Hotel in Loch Lomond from a four star hotel to a five star hotel, looking after famous guests such as Clint Eastwood and Robbie Williams.

He commented: “I’m really enjoying my new role. We already have a considerable number of loyal, regulars but I’m looking forward to building on this and establishing a really strong customer base which also includes high profile guests, especially now that Nairn is gaining recognition as a world-class travel destination.

“It’s always a challenge looking after high-profile guests as they can be slightly more demanding, but we can cater for all guests and every kind of celebration as well as private dinners and all business related events.

“Every guest is special and important to us and I have a dedicated team in place that will deliver a first-class service to ensure they all enjoy their visit or stay with us. So I have every confidence that my team and I will be able to propel Newton Hotel to the number one hotel in the area and a great place to stay for business and leisure - not to mention a popular place for locals to enjoy.”

Newton Hotel boasts 56 luxury en-suite bedrooms, all elegantly furnished and individually designed. It also holds a civil wedding license so couples can get married at the hotel, in its own chapel, as well as enjoy their wedding reception at the beautiful venue, no matter how large or small the wedding party is. All wedding clients will also benefit from an expert wedding co-ordinator and complimentary overnight accommodation on their wedding night, including breakfast.

Make Yourself Sparkle This Festive Season

As the festive season fast approaches, looking every inch the party goddess has never been more important. But as the stresses and stains of endless soirees take their toll, it’s vital to invest in a little more ‘me time’ to ensure you can maintain flawless party sparkle that lasts well into the New Year.

Melanie Knock, Spa Manager at the Best Western St Mellons Hotel in Cardiff offers top tips on surviving the festivities:

“In addition to maintaining a good skin care regime, including the three most important steps – cleanse, tone and moisturise, a facial is a great way to treat your skin and bring it back to life. The run up to Christmas and the New Year can be a stressful period, preparing for the family to visit and elbowing your way through the high street for those last minute presents, with your skin usually showing the telltale signs of stress.

“A treatment, such as Elemis Oxygen Skin Calm Facial, is perfect for this time of year. Incorporating a combination of gentle massaging techniques with calming actives help rebalance delicate, fragile and sensitive complexions. Packed full of superior properties, the treatment offers immediate comfort to stressed and irritated skin encouraging radiance – I swear by it!

“For skin that is more prone to breakouts, the overindulgence in rich food, one too many glasses of bubbly or forgetting to remove your make-up after a heavy night makes regular treatments a necessity. For this type of skin the Elemis Herbal Lavender Repair treatment works to restore skin balance, whilst cleansing and drawing out skin impurities. It will also reduce unwanted shine, making your party make-up look fresher for longer.”

You can also give your skin a bit of a rest from heavy party make-up as this season its all about looking effortless and glowing, Melanie says: “Traditionally dark colours are the seminal pallet for winter make-up but this year things couldn’t be different. Instead of a heavy matt finish, a sheer, rosy glow now forms the basis of any party look, leaving your skin a chance to breathe and the chance to experiment with subtle colour.”

But it isn’t just your face that can show the signs of excess partying and late nights, Melanie continues: “Alcohol can cause your skin to be dehydrated, leaving it in desperate need for replenishment. The Elemis Exotic Frangipani Body Nourish Wrap drenches your skin with moisture and provides ultimate radiance and vitality to the skin. It also smells absolutely gorgeous and levels an immediate softness that you can’t help but notice.”

Pale and interesting is the hot look this season according to Melanie: “It’s really easy to continue your summer skin routine into winter, but it’s not the most flattering. Instead why not give your skin a chance to show its natural radiance and give the bronzer and fake tan a miss in favor of luxurious shimmer lotions and leave it glowing with regular exfoliation - you’ll be a natural beauty before you know it.”

In the winter months our nails can also lack a little luster, but will a little tender loving care they can be revived and looking party fresh in no time at all.

“Beautifully manicured hands can really make an outfit. So often you see celebrities on the red carpet in an outfit that costs thousands, but it’s always the chewed, unkempt nails that hit the headlines in the glossy pages – and it’s something that takes a matter of minutes to put right.”

Like many things, to achieve the end result you want its all about the preparation you put into it, “It’s really important to get the basics of good nails right before you even think about colour. Make sure your nails are in tip-top condition, your cuticles are kept under control and nails moisturised, that way you’ll have a fantastic, long lasting finish.

Hotel Hero: Donna Hardie

Donna Hardie, Revenue Manager at the Columba Hotel in Inverness

What’s your job title and role/department, and how long have you worked there?
I’ve been with Oxford Hotels & Inns, and The Columba Hotel in Inverness, for just over four years after. I joined the hotel as a Receptionist and my current role is the Revenue Manager, but I’ve held several interesting roles since being with the company. Previous to this I worked as waitress in Fort William.

Can you give me a brief overview of your career?
After joining in August 2006 as the Receptionist at the Columba Hotel, I’ve worked my way up. My first promotion was from Receptionist to Reservations Manager, taking on the day-to-day running of bookings. I then took on the title of Accounts Manager and I’m now a Revenue Manager, responsible for keeping new and repeat business happy, managing the reception and finances, while making sure the website is up to date.

My progression as Revenue Manager was a strategic decision taken by my General Manger to progress my skills set in my previous role. The accuracy, planning, tenacity and determination to succeed in the accounts role have set me in good stead to move forward and progress further in the Revenue Manager role.. Within this role I need to meet with all areas of my customer base, travel agents, corporate and leisure guests to ensure we are delivering what is expected.

I really enjoy my job - I find it fascinating looking at the trends of bookings and working on the strategic forecasting of revenue and sales.

Describe your usual day?
My day starts by analysing the hotel’s accounts and figures, normally in this time I could be called away for a customer meeting or to help with check-outs, reservations or to just have a coffee with the GM to go through the next few day’s figures. The rest of my day is taken up with Group enquiring, replying to e-mail enquiries and yielding of rates and bedroom stock on our very busy websites.

The part of my job that I enjoy the most is that no day is like the last, there is never a dull moment and each day has its own challenges. We’ve just had a new THS front of house system installed, which makes things a little easier.

Why did you decide to move to the hotel group?
The Columba Hotel has a brilliant reputation and the company really encourages professional development.

What marks your hotel or hotel group out?
The hotel is beautiful in its own right, but I think it’s the people that really make the place and set it apart from the competition. We’re a really close team and we all enjoy our jobs and working together – creating a welcoming and fun atmosphere I think the guests can feel too.

What do you enjoy about working at the hotel or hotel group?
I’m ambitious and I like exceeding expectations. Oxford Hotels & Inns support and reward you for this. With them you get back what you put in and I think that’s a great motivation to be the best I can be.

What do you enjoy about your job and what gives you the most satisfaction?
Again it’s the people. We have a variety of guests staying with us, from corporate visits to tourists and no one person is alike, so making their stay enjoyable is extremely satisfying.

We do get a lot of repeat guests to the hotel which is exactly what we want, every year there is a guest who calls and books direct with me and he always comments on how he really enjoyed his stay and how relaxing he found, and he always buys me a big box of chocolates when he leaves. The little things are important, for example, if a guest calls to book a room for a wedding anniversary or a special birthday treat, I like to offer a complimentary upgrade - this is always greatly appreciated.

And what aspect of your personality suits you to the job?
Everyone always tells me I’m a positive person, and I think you have to be in this industry. Negativity is counter productive and not good for business or the people you work with. I would much prefer to be friendly and approachable, even through the toughest of circumstances. For example, we recently had lots of VIP’s booked in for a music festival, and with events like these, the challenge of keeping the client totally satisfied and maintaining a full hotel to ensure maximmum revenue is very hard work. However I received some really nice e-mails from the VIP’s saying what a great job I had done & how they appreciated that nothing was to much trouble and that we could accommodate all of their requirements - this makes it all worth while.

What’s the most demanding aspect of your job?
Looking after a team can be a challenge, but one that’s rewarding also. Everyone is different and you have to be able to understand each point of view, rather than just your own.

How would you describe your approach to your work?
In a word, enthusiastic - I can’t see the point of being any other way. I enjoy my job and I hope I always have the same approach to everything I do.

I believe in treating people the way you would like to be treated yourself. We all have feelings and the reception desk can be a very stressful place with the demands of our guests and the constant ringing of phones.

I believe in leading by example and I would not ask someone to do something I would not do myself. If the reception desk gets really busy the team know that they can just call me and I will come through and help. I feel its important to show a positive attitude to all members of staff that you work with and I feel this in turn rubs of on other people.

What drives you and what’s your philosophy?
I always want to be seen as a hard worker and someone that always gives more than is expected, so that’s my philosophy.

What are your ambitions (personal and professional)?
To get better and better at my job. I would like to exceed expectations in the yield management field. My next milestone is to get married to my long term boyfriend Lee.

What work achievement are you most proud of?
Since being with the hotel I’d like to think that I’ve played an important part in making it the success it is today and I’m proud of what we’ve achieved.

Anything else you'd like readers to know about you/ your hotel or hotel group?
The Columba Hotel speaks for itself, so people should come and see it and the Oxford Hotels’ teams for themselves.

Couldson Manor Experiences Significant Increase In Weddings

The beautiful Couldson Manor Hotel in Surrey is experiencing a 39% increase in weddings this year compared with 2008, thanks to a refurbishment in excess of £100,000.

The refurbishment has seen the hotel gain a new romantic honeymoon room complete with a lavish four poster bed, elegant furniture and luxury bedding. Couldson Manor’s main terrace bar and dining area have also been re-decorated with contemporary furniture and new carpets, whilst its 35 en-suite bedrooms have all undergone a mini-makeover with high quality curtains, TVs and stylish furniture. Many of the bedrooms also have impressive views across the hotel’s highly regarded 18-hole golf course.

Couldson Manor was rebuilt in the 18th century and offers all the charm and character that you would expect from a luxury country house hotel, so it has always been a popular wedding venue however large or small a ceremony or reception. But its recent refurbishment has really established it as one of the best and prime wedding venues in the area.

Andrew Oxby, General Manager at Couldson Manor said: “We’re delighted with our new refurbishment and so are our guests, we’ve had some wonderful compliments.

“The refurbishment, and in particular our opulent new Honeymoon room has really enabled us to offer guests an exceptional stay. This, combined with the expertise of our in-house wedding planner, and the bespoke services that we offer mean couples can create their dream wedding and they can celebrate with their guests in luxury and comfort.”

He added: “All wedding couples benefit from complimentary overnight accommodation on their wedding night, followed by a delicious champagne breakfast and we also offer exclusive rates to family and guests of the wedding party wishing to stay. We’re only 15 minutes from London Gatwick so newly married couples are in the perfect location to be well on the way to their honeymoon before they know it.”

Local Riverside Hotel Under New Management

The Riverside Hotel in Mildenhall, Suffolk, part of the leading hotel group, Oxford Hotels & Inns has appointed a new general manager to help re-establish it within the local community and position it as a quality place to stay for business and leisure breaks, as well as the ideal place to celebrate special occasions such as weddings.

Originally from Newport, Wales, new General Manager, Andrew Woodcock joins the Riverside Hotel from Couldson Manor in Surrey where he was the Operations Manager for three years. With over 13 years managerial experience in the industry, Andrew brings an extensive wealth of knowledge and experience to the position. His previous roles include Conference and Banqueting Manager at Nottingham Belfry Hotel, and Deputy Manager of the Holiday Inn, in Leeds.

Built in 1720, and located alongside the banks of the River Lark, between the home of British Horse Racing at Newmarket and the Historic town of Bury St Edmunds, the Riverside Hotel is known for its enchanting location.

Andrew hopes to enhance the Riverside’s reputation as a prime three star hotel and wedding venue in the Suffolk area by offering quality food and facilities, a warm and friendly service and comfortable yet attractive furnishings, with well maintained gardens, overlooking the river.

Further to this, the Riverside holds a civil wedding license so couples can get married at the hotel as well as enjoy their wedding reception at the beautiful venue, no matter how large or small the wedding party is.

A wide variety of wedding menu options are also available to suit all tastes, or guests can create their very own special menu.

All wedding clients will also benefit from an expert wedding co-ordinator and complimentary overnight accommodation on their wedding night, including breakfast.

In addition, Andrew currently has a team of over 20 staff and hopes to add to this once business increases, to help him drive the hotel forward. All staff are also being encouraged to take advantage of bespoke training programmes available to them to help further develop their skills and enable them to deliver an increased level of service.

Andrew Woodock, General Manager of the Riverside Hotel said: "I’m really looking forward to my new role. We already have a good number of loyal, regulars but I’m looking forward to building on this and establishing a really strong local customer base, where guests feel comfortable and at home.

"We can cater for every kind of celebration as well as private dinners and all business related events, and we have a dedicated team in place that will deliver a first-class service to ensure that all our guests enjoy their visit or stay with us.

"So I have every confidence that my team and I will be able to position the Riverside as one of the best wedding venues in Suffolk, and a great place to stay for business and leisure, not to mention a popular place for local folk to enjoy."

Mark Edwards, Managing Director of Oxford Hotels & Inns said:
"We’re delighted to have appointed Andrew as the new General Manager of the Riverside Hotel, his wealth of managerial experience in the hotel industry combined with his friendly, warm manner will prove invaluable to the future success of the Riverside and help further establish it within the local community."

Ainsley Gets A Taste Of The Lake District At Ennerdale Country House Hotel

Cooking up a storm at this year’s Whitehaven Food Festival, celebrity chef Ainsley Harriott decided to retreat to Ennerdale Country House Hotel in Cleator.

Head chef at the Ennerdale Country House Hotel, Trevor Pearson was thrilled to know that the TV chef was staying at the hotel and even more so when Ainsley stepped into his Kitchen.

Trevor says: “When I heard Ainsley was going to be staying at the hotel I was overjoyed at the opportunity to meet him, as were all the staff and guests. However, I never expected he would come and introduce himself personally to me and compliment me on my ‘perfect Yorkshire Puddings’!”

He adds: “I also got the chance to serve him one of our Cumbrian breakfasts, which as a chef, to be able to feed one of your peers, and one of Ainsley’s high calibre, is a very proud moment.”

This year over 100,000 people attended the Whitehaven Food Festival, where using local produce the chefs created mouth watering dishes.

General Manager, Diane Tinnion at the Ennerdale Country House Hotel, a Grade II listed building nestled within five acres of landscaped gardens, comments further: “Ainsley is a larger than life character and it was an absolute pleasure to welcome him to the hotel.”

Oxford Hotels secures its place in Scotland’s rich heritage

Oxford Hotels & Inns is officially Scotland’s largest hotel operator, according to research by national tourism organisation, Visit Scotland.

Visit Scotland’s research, which looked at geographic location and venue offering, identified Oxford Hotel & Inns as the largest provider outside the budget sector - taking third place behind Travelodge and Premier Inn for overall presence in the Scottish market.

The popular hotel group, which has 24 hotels in Scotland and 40 in total across the UK, is a major contributor to the leisure industry and local economy in the areas in which it is based.

Many of the group’s flagship hotels sit within its Scottish portfolio, such as the four star Carnoustie Golf Hotel (venue to the 128th British Open); the historic Argyll landmark, Stonefield Castle and Craigellachie Hotel, which is nestled in the heart of over 52 malt whisky distilleries.

Each of Oxford Hotels & Inns Scottish venues were chosen by the chain for their location and ability to champion all the things that makes Scotland a great place to visit, such as its world famous distilleries, breathtaking countryside and premier golf courses.

Commenting on the findings Colin Houston, Visit Scotland’s Quality Manager said: “Oxford Hotels & Inns presence in the Scottish market is extremely strong, underlining its commitment to building its brand and a commitment to the growth of Scottish tourism.

“In the current economic climate it is crucial the industry works together to benefit tourism and I am therefore delighted we work alongside hotel chains like Oxford Hotel & Inns, which have an exceptional guest offering and also promote the unique experience a visit to the country can offer.”

Mark Edwards, Oxford Hotels & Inns Managing Director, adds: “All the hotels in our portfolio have their own individual identity. Whether it be an historic castle deep in the Scottish countryside or a hotel situated in the heart of a working fishing village, each has a unique attraction. We will continue to promote these things because - along with our excellent facilities and service - they are what allows our guests to enjoy a stay they’ll never forget and a reason for them to return time and time again.”