DESIGN THE TORRANCE

BY SUSAN YOUNG TORRANCE HOTEL EAST KILBRIDE

Love is most certainly in the air at Manorview’s Torrance Hotel in East Kilbride as a completely refurbished honeymoon suite, at the popular hotel and wedding venue., is now on offer to brides and for special occasions.

Manorview Group, which is renowned for its wedding venues and wow factor honeymoon suites, have completed a luxurious makeover on the duplex suite which has always been a popular destination for newlyweds and romantic couples looking to propose or couples who are celebrating a special occasion.

The new-look suite has been designed with ultimate luxury in mind and features romantic and fully adjustable mood lighting, high quality fixtures and fittings and plush fabrics throughout.

One of the highlights of the room is the upstairs spa bathroom which features a sunken spa bath as well as a lounge area, bespoke bar area and blossom tree, perfect for all those must capture ‘instagrammable’ moments and is accessed by a spiral staircase.

The downstairs bedroom area comes complete with a sumptuous bed, dressing

room and statement chandelier.

To ensure the interiors were elevated and as luxurious as possible Manorview worked with longstanding design partner Space ID to design the new space which has an elegant and neutral colour palette with touches of gold, panelled walls, textured wall coverings and bespoke designed tiles and lighting fixtures that all work together perfectly to create a calming and romantic space that will instantly make guests feel special..

Lara Brown, GM at the Torrance Hotel said: “We are delighted to bring this new-look honeymoon suite to our wedding couples and hotel guests. Our former Stuart Suite has always been a popular destination but its renovation is going to make it even more desirable and we are already inundated with booking enquiries. As a group we pride ourselves on attention to detail and this suite has that in abundance. With the wedding industry very much being back to business as usual we are confident our latest addition will help set us apart from the competition and give prospective guests even more reason to choose the Torrance for their big day.

Crerar Hotels appoint MacCormick

Crerar Hotels has welcomed a new member to its leadership team in time for a duo of new spas launching.

Kirsty MacCormick, who has over 30 years experience in the spa industry, will be supporting the spa operations in the role of Group Spa Manager at the hotel group. Kirsty has a wealth of experience having previously worked at the Mandarin Oriental and Amari Hotels and Resorts. She has also overseen an impressive number of projects within the UK, including the Kohler Waters Spa expansion at St. Andrews as Director of the Spa as well as running her own spa consultancy business.

The new appointment cements Crerar Hotels’ commitment to driving the spa area of the business, following significant investment in two of its hotels’ offerings this year - the newly refurbished and rebranded Shore Spa at Loch Fyne Hotel & Spa and Coast Spa Golf View Hotel & Spa.

Kirsty said, “With the launches of the newly refurbished spas imminent, it’s an exciting time to become a member of the Crerar Hotels family. “

Chris Wayne-Wills, Chief Executive of Crerar Hotels, said: “I’m thrilled Kirsty is joining the team, especially at what can only be described as a pivotal moment for our spa offering. Her experience in the spa industry is second to none, and I’m confident it will help us drive forward this area of the business in line with our ambitious aim of ensuring our hotels and inns become some of Scotland’s most wellknown spa destinations.”

DRAPER & STOTT JOIN APEX HOTELS MANAGEMENT TEAM

Scottish-based Apex Hotels has announced two new senior appointments – Michael Stott and Kerry Draper. Both join the business at a crucial time as the hotel group stands poised to capitalise on the investments in back-office infrastructure and guest-facing technology made during the coronavirus-induced slowdown.

Hospitality expert Michael Stott (above right) joins as Commercial Director, from Hoar Cross Hotel & Spa having also held notable roles within Macdonald Hotels and Resorts, Whittlebury Hall & Spa and Center Parcs during his three decades within the industry.

While Kerry Draper has been appointed as the hotels’s new HR Director. She boasts a wealth of experience in HR and people management gained during a career spanning over 20 years, including key roles with household names like Virgin, British Gas and Carlsberg.

Commercial Director Michael’s priority will be building on the existing brand foundations to create an even more successful future.

He said, “I’m thrilled to join such a wellestablished, successful brand as Apex Hotels. Hospitality has come through a challenging period, and our focus is now firmly on the future.

“Apex has prepared for a strong business return with significant investment in new technologies during the pandemic – such as enhanced property and guest management systems and embracing ‘big data’ to arm ourselves with valuable insights, to improve customer responsiveness and drive business improvements – we’re ready to embrace any changes the future might bring.

“It’s a very exciting time to be undertaking a new role within an exceptionally experienced and close-knit team.”

New HR Director, Kerry, is set to transform Apex Hotels’ people experience as the brand faces a post-Covid and post-Brexit world, which brings with it a separate set of challenges.

Kerry said, “I’m always drawn to brands with an exceptional people focus, and a strong responsible business strategy never fails to impress me – and that’s exactly why I have taken up this role with Apex Hotels.

“There’s no denying that the industry as a whole is still facing challenges in recruitment and retention as a result of Covid and Brexit, and one of my key focus areas will be to cement Apex’s position as an outstanding employer of choice within the hospitality industry. Like Michael, I’m fortunate to be able to build on a solid foundation, with a focus on enhancing the ‘people experience’ from an internal and external perspective – bringing our internal culture of supporting and developing our employees in line with our external guest messaging and ethos.”

Syme is back on the menu at Fairmont St Andrews

Fairmont St Andrews is welcoming back Chef Ian Syme, who re-joins the team from a three-year stint as Executive Sous Chef at Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire.

Originally from Anstruther, Fife, Chef Syme previously spent almost three years at Fairmont St Andrews as Executive Sous Chef, as well as a stint as Head Chef at the Seafood Ristorante in St Andrews around its rebrand in 2016.

Chef Syme joins at an exciting time for the luxury resort with the return of international tourism and the 150th Open coming to St Andrews this summer. From breakfast to dinner, he plans to be heavily involved in all the hotel kitchens, offering support and guidance and dedicating time daily to mentoring and development of the kitchen team.

Commenting on his appointment, he said:, “It is a fantastic time to be coming back to

Fairmont St Andrews, ahead of what may be our busiest summer on record.

“I am so looking forward to seeing some familiar faces, and meeting some new ones, as we further develop our staff team and our fantastic food offering. I completely share Fairmont’s values in the training and developing of people making a start in the industry and look forward to bringing on some new culinary apprentices over time.

“Being back in St Andrews means I am that bit closer to our excellent local suppliers, too, such as our lobster fisherman who work in St Andrews Bay, which is right on our doorstep. My fondness for my home in Fife finds a way into all my cooking and the seafood we have here on the East Neuk, like lobster and turbot, is always a prominent feature.”

Splendid Hospitality Group has appointed Barry Makin as General Manager for the four-star, 60-bedroom Hotel Indigo Edinburgh York Place.

Barry, who brings with him a depth of industry knowledge and understanding of the local Scottish hotel market, started his career in 2003 at St Andrews Bay Golf Resort and Spa and joins Hotel Indigo from The Scotsman Hotel Edinburgh, where he was General Manager for four years. Barry has previously held senior positions at Principal Edinburgh George Street, The Roxburghe Hotel Edinburgh and the Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow to name a few.

This new appointment at Hotel Indigo Edinburgh York Place will mean overseeing 35 staff and 60- bedrooms. Barry will also continue to develop the hotel’s partnerships with local businesses,.

Speaking of his new role, Barry said: “I am so thrilled to be continuing my experience as General Manager for such a great hotel and to work alongside the wonderful team to guarantee every guest gets the greatest possible experience. This appointment offers many opportunities for me to collaborate with local businesses, reconnect with my many contacts and be part of the Splendid Hospitality family.”

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