The team at De Vere Tortworth Court Hotel near Bristol has exceeded its fundraising target of £5k for the Brain Tumour Support Charity during a gala dinner ball, raising a total of £7,900.   More than 150 guests attended the event, which featured a three-course meal and entertainment including fireworks, live music and a raffle and auction.  The event was organised by eight members of staff on De Vere’s Emerging Leader Programme, who were challenged to plan and host a charity event. They were tasked with keeping costs as low as possible in order to “maximise the benefits for the ..read more

Valor Hospitality is preparing to unveil two new five-star hotels in Northern Ireland and Scotland later this year. In Northern Ireland, Dunluce Lodge, situated on the picturesque Causeway Coast, boasts thirty-five luxury suites overlooking the Royal Portrush Golf Club’s fourth fairway, a renowned site for the Open Championship. Guests can expect top-notch service, intimate dining options, and curated experiences including country sports and visits to iconic attractions like the Giant’s Causeway. Meanwhile, in Scotland, Seaton House at the Home of Golf offers forty-two luxury bedrooms with sea ..read more

Hyatt has announced that it has added 700 sites to its portfolio after its £35m buyout of Mr and Mrs Smith in 2023. The integration of the new hotels means the company expands its reach to places such as Namibia, Fiji and the British Virgin Islands. Hyatt stated that every property chosen under the Mr and Mrs Smith banner was ‘handpicked for its distinctive design, personalised service, and meticulous attention to detail.’ The addition of the hotels and villas Mr and Mrs Smith complements the recently announced pipeline of more than 35 new luxury properties across Hyatt’s Timeless, Boundless ..read more

Valor Hospitality is set to open two new five-star hotels later this year in Northern Ireland along the Causeway Coast and in Scotland.  Northern Ireland’s newest five-star hospitality venue, Dunluce Lodge, sits on the edge of Royal Portrush Golf Club’s fourth fairway – the home of the 153rd Open Championship in 2025 and the links course that helped forge the careers of Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell, Shane Lowry and Darren Clarke.  With thirty-five luxury suites, Dunluce Lodge will provide guests with the opportunity to experience “impeccable service” and relaxation surrounded by the ..read more

Travelodge has opened its 600th hotel, which is located at London Oval Cricket Ground. The new site is a 95-room hotel, developed in partnership with Surrey County Cricket Club. As well as being Travelodge’s 600th hotel, it’s also the group’s 81st hotel in London and has created over 30 new jobs. The milestone was celebrated at a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Travelodge chairman, Martin Robinson, CEO Jo Boydell, ex-England cricket captain and Surrey County Cricket Club director, Alec Stewart OBE, and Surrey County Cricket Club CEO, Steve Elworthy. London Oval Cricket Ground Travelodge features ..read more

The Castle Inn Hotel in Bassenthwaite has been sold to an undisclosed buyer off a guide price of £3.75m.The 45-bedroom hotel, which was originally a traditional lakeland residence, has been extended, converted and connected together to provide the bedrooms which includes seven suites, as well as a self-contained leisure club with indoor heated pool and gym.  The hotel also has several conference facilities including the 200-cover Budworth Hall, which has its own bar, stage and a fully sprung dance floor. The hotel said it welcomes a mix of business trade as well as leisure guests “looking ..read more

The Gate Lodge Guest House in Hunstanton, Norfolk, has been brought to market for an undisclosed amount.  This popular guest house is located a short walk from the seaside town’s sandy beaches, main shopping areas and the Princess Theatre.  The Gate Lodge has been extensively refurbished throughout, featuring seven ensuite letting rooms, a breakfast room and a lounge with a mini bar. There is also a two-bedroom owner’s accommodation on the first and second floors. Stephen Perry and Archie Stirling have owned and operated the business since 2008, and have made the decision to sell as ..read more

Whitbread, the parent company of Premier Inn, has partnered with the Zero Carbon Forum to achieve net-zero emissions in the hospitality sector. Through its “Force for Good” program, Whitbread is committed to reducing operational emissions by 2040 and aims to cut Scope 3 emissions by 90% by 2050. Initiatives include sourcing renewable energy, installing heat pumps and solar panels, and reducing waste. Collaboration with Zero Carbon Forum will aid in achieving these goals, particularly in addressing Scope 3 emissions. Warner Hotels has been recognized by Good Housekeeping for its outstanding ent ..read more

PPHE has seen revenues rise by 11.9% to £77m in Q1, with sales driven by a growth in occupancy as room rates continued to normalise across both leisure, corporate and meetings and events. Over the period, demand in the UK and the Netherlands was “solid”, while trading in Germany was “encouraging” as recovery continued. Trading in Croatia also showed positive early signs into the peak summer period.  RevPAR in Q1 was £98.1, rising 1.9% to £96.2 against the prior year, while like-for-like RevPAR rose by 3.3% to £99.4, up from £96.2.  The group saw a continued strengthening in occupancy ..read more

Dukes London has announced the appointment of Dusko Babic as its new director of operations. Babic worked in operational roles within established hotels for many years, including in an EMEA Franchise Services Team overseeing a portfolio of more than 470 hotels across the regions. His two decades in the industry have also seen him work closely with stakeholders, providing operational support and training, and coordinating processes and programmes for hotel portfolios. Babic has already set the wheels in motion by announcing a new classic comfort menu in the Dukes Great British Restaurant. In ad ..read more