The Cateys Awards 2014

4 - 10 July 2014

The

Winners

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Hotel of the Year – Independent Sponsored by BSkyB

Shortlisted Congham Hall hotel Grimston, Norfolk The Atlantic hotel St Brelade, Jersey Great Northern hotel London

The judges David Bailey Senior director, CBRE Hotels John Cunliffe Chairman, Gilpin Hotel and Lake House Melvin Gold Managing director, Melvin Gold Consulting Robin Hutson Chairman and chief executive, Lime Wood Group and Home Grown Hotels Andrew McKenzie Managing director, The Vineyard Group David Morgan-Hewitt Managing director, The Goring Simon Numphud Hotel services manager, AA Hotel Services Claire Randall Managing director, Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa Jeremy Rata Managing director, Bovey Castle Simon Rhatigan Managing director, Devonshire Hotels & Restaurants

2014 Winner

The Atlantic hotel, Jersey Ever since Patrick Burke took over the familyowned Atlantic hotel (built by his father Henry in 1970) the improvements have been continuous and consistent. As result, the four-AA-redstar, 50-bedroom hotel, which has boasted a Michelin star since 2007 for its Ocean restaurant, is today deservedly regarded as one of Jersey’s leading luxury hotels.

Typical of Patrick and his wife Treena’s determination to progress the business, they ploughed ahead with their plans to reinvest, despite a challenging 2012.

They completed the refurbishment of the exterior of the property, including the dismantling and renovation of all the balconies, at a cost of £155,000, bought Sky In Room technology for all bedrooms, and undertook the hotel’s annual winter maintenance programme for £125,000.

Other recent investments have included a new website, a digital marketing campaign (resulting in an increase in subscribers to the hotel’s monthly newsletter from 2,800 to 6,000) and extensive PR activity. In particular, the hotel secured valuable editorial coverage in a host of European publications, resulting in a growth in bookings across European markets with Switzerland up by 27%, France by 47% and Germany by an impressive 53%.

Targeting the challenging autumn and winter months – so often tricky for an island location – has also had positive results. A series of wine dinners with Champagne houses Krug and Dom Perignon appealed to local diners, while a Christmas by the Sea three-night gourmet break ensured 100% occupancy.

Constantly aware that the key to the Atlantic’s success is the promotion of Jersey as a destination, Patrick has worked tirelessly to increase the profile of the island by generating a new type of visitor lured by the grow-

ing reputation for luxury accommodation and gastronomic excellence, alongside its natural beauty. He founded the Luxury Jersey Hotels consortium in 2009, sits on the marketing panel of Jersey Tourism and last year spearheaded the Michelin Experience, a gourmet break offering guests the opportunity to enjoy three Michelin-starred restaurants during their stay. This last initiative boosted bar and wine by 22% in 2013, compared with 2012.

The judges agreed that the ongoing activity and investment – evidenced by the hotel’s financial results for the year ending 31 January 2014, which recorded a 17% increase in turnover to £2.76m – made the Atlantic a deserved winner of this year’s Catey for Hotel of the Year – Independent.

What the judges said “The Atlantic is a great example of a family-run hotel that has taken a long term and strategic approach to improving its appeal every year.

Patrick Burke has shown great vision to position the Atlantic among the very highest rated hotels not only in Jersey, but in the UK as well.”

Andrew McKenzie “The Atlantic is a true family hotel, which has passed to the next generation but does not stand still. Excellent guest service and good quality product ensure wonderful stays for all of its guests.”

David Morgan-Hewitt “The hotel is a great example of an independent business that has evolved its market to great commercial effect, by continually improving the asset, the people and the customer experience, while simultaneously fulfilling a leadership role within the Jersey tourism market.”

Simon Rhatigan 29

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