Members News
Hempstead House Hotel & Spa Make the most achieves 4-Star Accreditation from AA of your Christmas sales by asking for reviews Hempstead House, a 19th-century mansion in Hempstead, has undergone a remarkable transformation, thanks to Amanda (Mandy) Holdstock and her husband Henry. What began as a family home in 1990 has evolved into a thriving luxury hotel with various offerings.
Before you part with your money, whether that be for a holiday, restaurant, car, clothes, nail varnish or something else, many people read a review first.
They want to know that other people had a good experience, rated the product or service and feel more confident before they buy – so they don’t waste their money. What could be a more trusted source of information than the experience of a customer who has actually tried your product or service and has taken the time to review it? Reviews are powerful – they really do instil buyer confidence…even though they have been written by complete strangers! It doesn’t matter – we believe what they say and it influences our decision to buy there too. Christmas – or any other time of year when your sales peak – is a great time to ask your customers for a review. Really make the most of this increased pool of purchasers – if you don’t ask, you won’t get!
Initially, Amanda and Henry purchased the property with the intention of using it as an extended family home. However, their journey took an unexpected turn when they hosted a garden party for a friend. Amanda’s culinary skills shone as she cooked for the event, even using old crockery and cleaning up afterward. This event marked the beginning of Hempstead House’s hospitality venture. The Lakes Restaurant, established in 1998, brought fine dining to the property, earning an AA Rosette for its exceptional cuisine. This venture highlighted the rich history of Hempstead House, dating back to the 1800s. Between 1995 and 1998, 12 additional bedrooms were added to the hotel, bringing the total to 35, each meticulously designed by Mandy Holdstock.
In 2003, the addition of a substantial extension created the Heritage Suite, a wedding, conference, and events space with 14 bedrooms above. It became a sought-after venue for special occasions.
The year 2023 marked the opening of a new reception area, enhancing the guest experience and underscoring Hempstead House’s commitment to excellence.
In 2008, despite the economic recession, Hempstead House unveiled the AquaManda Spa & Brasserie, offering affordable luxury to guests and earning accolades for its beauty spa.
Amanda Holdstock’s vision and dedication have transformed Hempstead House from a family home into a thriving and multifaceted luxury hotel, ensuring that it continues to provide unforgettable experiences for all who visit.
In 2021, the brasserie expanded, creating a stunning atrium dining area with an authentic Thai menu.
How Building Information Modelling is revolutionising build projects It’s invaluable for improving clients’ design and build experience. Enhanced Design Accuracy
Follow-up after the sale by asking for a review on Google, Facebook, or TripAdvisor etc. Pop the details in the postal package to find when they open it.
Clients can visualise their dream home and make changes in real time on screen, helping them understand time and cost implications before work begins.
Ask on your socials.
Improved Collaboration
Send them an email.
Give them a link and make it easy. You could always offer an incentive – a little gift or discount code for their next purchase. Once you have their review, it helps others who read them to make the decision to buy with you too. You can also use them in marketing in the months after – to share all that positivity! Sarah Hawes Izzy PR – marketing specialists izzypr.co.uk
30 Thinking Business
www.hempsteadhouse.co.uk
If you’re dreaming of building a new home in the New Year, Vernacular Homes Director Trevor Weeks explains how the software they use, Building Information Modelling (BIM), can help you visualise that dream. It creates a 3D model meaning you can virtually ‘walk through’ your future home.
Our experts can easily visualise a design but a client might not find it so easy. Referring to the same digital model helps to ensure everyone is ‘on the same page’. Smoother Planning
The easier it is for a client to understand their design, the quicker we can reach the planning stage. Higher quality design is likely to give planners greater confidence in the proposals, giving the best chance of approval.
Accurate Timeline
We can present a realistic timeline, incorporating every stage from preparing the site, through to the final touches. Cost Efficiency
As a design is amended, BIM takes into account material and quantity changes. Costs are therefore easily updated and realistic estimates can be provided before work begins. Effortless Modifications
Presenting a realistic model of a client’s future home which they can tweak at design stage means they are more likely to start the build with a final design that changes very little. Data-Driven Decisions
BIM operates using facts and figures - invaluable for transparency and instilling confidence in clients. trevor.weeks@vernacularhomes.com vernacularhomes.com
