EXCEPTIONAL STANDARDS

Renowned for their beautifully unique collection of independent hotels, the PoB group set high standards for their venues whilst maintaining their grasp on the human element. We caught up with the collective’s first female CEO, Kalindi Juneja, to find out what makes a PoB hotel and the developments since their rebrand.

What inspired you to pursue a career in the hospitality industry?

We travelled extensively as a family and some of my happiest memories are from times with friends and family in a hospitality setting. The industry always intrigued me and growing up in Singapore, service and hospitality was always of such a high standard. This is perhaps where my love affair with the industry began, and when I knew I wanted to be a part of this world.

Can you tell us about PoB Hotels?

We are a marketing consortium for the best independent hotels in the UK and Channel Islands. We were founded in 1982, by a group of passionate hoteliers led by then industry Titan, Gerald Milsom. These hoteliers were driven by all things hospitality, quality and creating happy moments for guests. The beauty of the collection, then and now, remains the celebration of individuality and championing the independent spirit. We continue to support our member hotels with extensive marketing support to amplify their own brand through our reach and the community spirit remains of integral value to hoteliers.

What makes a venue a ‘PoB’ hotel?

Our properties reflect an ambition to offer the best hospitality experiences in some of the most inspiring locations, driven by respect for our teams, our guests and the environment in which we operate. We look for the independent nature of our hotels which in turn offers our guests varied adventures. To ensure the highest standards of quality and comfort, we inspect every one of our hotels annually.

Our hotels have not only been invited into the collection as a result of being beautifully appointed, but also for being operated by some of the finest hoteliers and most caring families. We only invite the very best independent hotels to join our collection, where they go through a meticulous process before they can join the membership, and the steps include an inspection and review by me, then a board member visit before all existing members participate in a ballot.

What aspects of a venue stand out when you carry out a PoB inspection?

The human element! The passion, dedication, and art of delivering authentic experiences for guests. A PoB Hotel should be of a luxury standard and style, often small in size and run in an independent manner. However, the delivery of service and the passion for creating memories for every guest is what stands out.

What benefits can a hotel receive in terms of business when joining the PoB collection?

Being a member of this esteemed community is a great way for an independent hotel to amplify its brand and benefit from our multitude of marketing services to ensure commercial returns. Our members can draw from the expertise of fellow members, and we organise forums on any topic that is relevant to them.

Why has PoB Hotels rebranded from Pride of Britain Hotels?

The rebrand from ‘Pride of Britain Hotels’ reflects a refreshing and repositioning of the brand that is centred around the guest experience, inspiring them to discover new hotel experiences that are crucially Pampering, Outstanding, and British. This ranges from ensuring our website and the methods of booking a stay at PoB Hotels is more user-friendly, to facilitating a look of the brand that is reflective of the diverse luxury of our members across the British Isles. We have made the shift to a lifestyle, luxury, consumer-facing brand that is reflective of what guests look for today.

What steps are PoB Hotels taking towards becoming more sustainable?

We partnered with EarthCheck, the world’s leading scientific benchmarking, certification and advisory group for travel and tourism – to develop environmental good practice and certification for hotel members, and company-wide regenerative practices. The partnership with Earthcheck has been twofold; for the PoB Hotels entity and office and then to guide member hotels to also aim for certification.Whilst the independent hotels are on their individual journey to create positive impact within theirrespective communities, PoB Hotels will continue to ramp up the focus on sustainability.

What’s next for PoB Hotels?

2023 has already been a huge year for us, following our transformation into a new brand, representing an entirely new era for PoB Hotels, but we have more to come through the year and beyond.

This spring we will launch further features on our website to help guests plan their next break, whilst also hoping to further our sustainability goals. We’re currently concentrating on the launch of our ‘Coronation Concierge’, a dedicated service that invites guests to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III with a stay at one – or more – of our beautiful hotels. The Concierge will craft an itinerary based on guests’ needs and desires to visit a hotel that has strong links with King Charles III or the Royal family. We are excited for what 2023 holds and are prepared for the busy year ahead.

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