Hotel Scotland

This month has certainly thrown up some challenges, not least the increase in the minimum wage, the introduction of the Carers week, and the news that employees can ask for flexible working arrangements from day one - not to mention the new Scottish Hate Crime Legislation. There is a roundup of the new legislation on page 12.

I joined Marcello Ventisei for a coffee at the Kimpton Blythswood. Hospitality flows through his veins. Read what he has to say on pages 18 onwards.

I am familiar with The Brisbane House Hotel in Largs - my father got married there last year. It was the perfect setting. Now Manorview have totally refreshed the hotel and made the very best of its amazing views. See our Design feature from page 23.

Mhairi Wilson also takes a look at hotel trends on page 14. It is an interesting read.

Our sister magazine DRAM Scotland is on the lookout for Scotland’s Best Hotel Bar - sponsored by Molinari Extra. I f you would like to put yours forward head over to www.scottishbarandpubawards.com

Until next month.

ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE CORLETT AND NICHOL SHARE TOP ROLE

Virgin Hotels Edinburgh has launched an Artist in Residence initiative, which provides artists within the Edinburgh art scene the opportunity to apply for the use of free studio and gallery space within the Old Town Hotel.

During the three-month artist vacancy, the successful artist will have access to the Hotel’s Unicorn Room – a purpose built creative studio within the old India Buildings turret of Virgin Hotels Edinburgh, while the gallery will be within the Oculus, home to the Hotel’s new Afternoon Tea experience.

First to be awarded the Artist in Residence is current Virgin Hotels Edinburgh employee, Charlie Yates (pictured), a local artist who graduated from The Glasgow School of Art in 2019. Since graduation he has received acclaim for various projects, including his solo exhibition at the Watermill Gallery. He said, “My first experience of working as the Artist in Residence has been incredible. I’ve had the opportunity to work from one of the best locations in Edinburgh and now have my first round of work on display for guests to see within the Hotel.”

Mafalda Albuquerque, General Manager at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh, said, “The Virgin brand was developed from the desire to give a platform to incredible artists, and this is something we want to echo at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh.

“Our Artist in Residence initiative is something new that we’re bringing to the city, and we’re so pleased to welcome Charlie Yates to our incredible Unicorn Room and see the artistic process first hand from the studio upstairs. This partnership will also offer something new for our guests as they get the chance to not only browse his incredible artwork but talk to him personally about the inspiration behind it.”

De Vere, one of the UK’s leading independent hotel groups, has appointed Laurie Nicol and Alan Corlett to the positions of Co-Chief Executive Officer.

Laurie and Alan have each been with De Vere (previously The Principal Hotel Company) for more than a decade, latterly as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Commercial Officer respectively.

De Vere’s current CEO, James Burrell, is taking on a new role as Executive Chairman of De Vere and will continue to support the group and its shareholder Starwood Capital. James commented “We are delighted to promote Laurie and Alan to their new roles as Co-CEO. This is a well-deserved internal succession appointment for Laurie and Alan, recognising their significant contributions to the success of De Vere and Principal Hotel Company across many years of service. We are confident that under their leadership, De Vere will continue to flourish and based on our current trading, we are optimistic about business momentum in 2024.”

Laurie Nicol said “My time as COO of De Vere has been incredibly rewarding and I am delighted to take on this new challenge as Co-CEO. I will continue to

support the hotels and focus particularly on driving the ESG strategy, creative food and beverage, people & culture development and strategic capex investment growth initiatives planned for 2024 and beyond to ultimately drive operational excellence. We have a wonderful team across De Vere and I am grateful to my colleagues for their hard work to achieve these successes. I look forward to leading the group alongside Alan.”

Alan Corlett added,“Having been the CCO for De Vere, now stepping up to the Co-CEO role is a fantastic opportunity. I am very excited about the times ahead at De Vere as we continue to grow the business with our existing loyal customers as well as new clients and relationships. It remains a key focus that I continue to drive De Vere’s revenue through our excellent sales & marketing platforms, improving the financial and commercial performance of the hotels, as well as ensuring best-in-class IT and systems for our guests. Laurie and I have worked together successfully for many years supporting the shareholder in creating value and we are confident De Vere will continue its strong growth trajectory under our ongoing partnership as Co-CEOs.”

ROLE AT DE VERE

Leonardo’s Hotel completes £6.8m royal refurbishment

Leonardo Hotel on Jamaica Street in Glasgow’s city centre which was formerly Jury’s Inn has announced that, following a £6.8m refurbishment project, it has been upgraded to the premium brand 4-star Leonardo Royal Hotel Glasgow.

The renovation covered the refurbishment of all 321 guestrooms, which include deluxe rooms, executive rooms and junior suites, and each now includes White Company toiletries, 49-inch televisions with access to Chromecast, as well as Leonardo Hotels’ exclusive DREAM beds.

As well as a brand new lobby area, which has been expanded to create a lounge area for guests, Leonardo Royal Hotel Glasgow is now home to Leo’s Bar and Restaurant. Open to both guests and non-guests.

The hotel has also added new facilities for guests, including a new state-of-the-art gym with new high-tech fitness equipment, including Peloton bikes.

Claire Butterfield, General Manager of Leonardo Royal Hotel Glasgow, said, “We’re incredibly excited to rebrand from a Leonardo Hotel to a Leonardo Royal Hotel. This strategic move will enable us to offer a more premium product and service and in turn, attract both the corporate and transient leisure market, as well as the local market thanks to our brand new Leo’s Bar and Restaurant. Whether travelling for business or leisure, guests can expect an exceptional stay at this fantastic Glasgow destination.”

£35m investment and re-brand for The Caledonian

The Caledonian Hotel in Edinburgh is set to receive a multi-million-pound transformation as it gets ready to rebrand, becoming part of Curio Collection by Hilton this summer, joining a global portfolio of prestigious lifestyle hotels.

Having acquired the 120-year old Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh, known as ‘The Caley’, in July 2023, private real estate investment fund manager Henderson Park and asset manager Klarent Hospitality have announced plans to invest over £35 million.

The plans include extending the hotel to expand its capacity to over 300 rooms by early 2026, making The Caley one of Edinburgh’s largest leading hotels. The refurbishment will see improvements in the infrastructure, bedroom refurbishment as well as upgrading and restoring the public areas.

Christophe Kuhbier, Managing Director at Henderson Park, said, “Our continued investment in The Caledonian is testament to our stewardship of this iconic hotel, which has been a bastion of Edinburgh hospitality over a century. We look forward to working with Hilton and Klarent, our specialist hospitality operator and asset manager, to unlock The Caledonian’s full value potential on behalf of our investors and ensure it continues to

enchant guests for many years to come.”

Peter Stack, Chief Executive of Klarent Hospitality, added, “As custodians of this landmark hotel, we have committed to the significant investment and transformation that will see The Caledonian as a world-renowned, leading hotel at the heart of Edinburgh. We are delighted to celebrate the hotel’s 120th anniversary and look forward to working with the hotel team creating the next chapter for The Caley”.

Stephen Cassidy, SVP and managing director, UK&I, Hilton, said, “The Caledonian has long been one of the top destination hotels in Scotland – loved by guests from all over the world and Edinburgh residents alike. The hotel is a hugely important member of the Hilton portfolio, and this exciting rebrand empowers its exceptional team to elevate the rich storytelling opportunities and continue to celebrate the hotel’s heritage.”

Klarent Hospitality, led by Chairman John Brennan and Chief Executive Peter Stack, employs over 60 people at its head office in Glasgow and manages a portfolio of Henderson Park-owned hotels across the UK and Europe, including five Hilton Hotels across the Central Belt of Scotland.

Virgin Hotel Glasgow goes on the market following Lloyd Developments administration

Savills, has been appointed to market the heritable (freehold) interest of the Virgin Hotel Glasgow on the instruction of the joint administrators of Lloyds Developments Ltd., who formerly owned the property.

The 17 storey hotel overlooking the River Clyde, shut suddenly in December, and although Virgin boss Richard Branson offered to buy the hotel, the decision was taken to put it on the open market instead.

The hotel currently has 165 completed bedrooms, with capacity for up to 242, a ground floor restaurant and bar, a mezzanine bar and lounge, a terrace area and conference and meeting space for up to 60 delegates. However Savills say that the the hotel also provides the potential for further development, with the opportunity to complete the remaining 77 bedrooms, along with public spaces such as a proposed gym, function suite, whisky bar and coffee shop.

Steven Fyfe, director in the hotel capital markets team at Savills Scotland, said, “This is a rare chance for a purchaser to secure a prime asset that has been fitted out to an excellent standard in line with a luxury lifestyle hotel with the possibility of being in an income producing position from day one.”

NEW RESTAURANT CONCEPT FOR CROSSBASKET CASTLE AS MICHEL ROUX JNR TAKES THE REINS

Trocadero’s is to be the name of the new restaurant concept at Crossbasket Castle which will open in August with Michelin star chef Michel Roux Jr overseeing the restaurant and cocktail bar.

The name is a nod to the celebrated 1950s dance hall in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, of the same name.

Owners Steve and Alison Timoney, who describe Crossbasket Castle as a no-expense-spared passion project, said Trocadero’s will bring a unique offering to Scotland, with live music and entertainment every night of the week.

Steve Timoney said, “We took inspiration from Glasgow’s legendary live music scene and the enthusiasm and energy of its audiences. Scotland has a long history of excellent live music and talented performers, and we want to showcase that to allow our guests to kick up their heels and have fun whilst enjoying exceptional food in a sensational venue. Every city offers great quality restaurants but what we’re creating at Trocadero’s is truly unique.”

Highland Hotel sold to Singapore’s Buxani Group

The Highland Hotel in Inverness, part of the Coast & Country Collection has been sold to Singapore’s Buxani Group. The sale was managed by Christie & Co’s Hotel team, who acted for the seller.

The hotel, which sits on a 2.2-acre site in Strathpeffer, gateway to the NC500 touring route, and which features 134 bedrooms and a bar and restaurant, will be managed by Bangkok-and UK based hotel company, Compass Hospitality.

Harmil Singh, President and CEO of Compass Hospitality, said, “The Highland Hotel is another significant addition to our fast-growing portfolio, showcasing the Scottish highland’s unique charm and heritage. We look forward to continue our growth and commitment to the UK hospitality market.”

Gary Witham, Director in Christie & Co’s Hotel team, said, “We are delighted to announce the Highland Hotel is joining the Compass Hospitality managed portfolio. The Scottish Highlands remain a key tourist market with strong buyer demand and the hotel is ideally positioned to capture the steady leisure and coach business.

“The hotel is one of the 33-assets put to market as part of the Coast & Country Portfolio. The properties have received very strong interest to date, and a very limited number of these assets remain available, so we invite any interested parties to get in touch.”

Alison Timoney said, “We want Trocadero’s to be somewhere our guests experience the finer things, where they can truly indulge and get lost in the nostalgia of a golden era. We have worked hard to develop this unique concept, which complements the luxury and romance of the beautiful surroundings whilst bringing a vibrant and tantalising new experience.”

Speaking on his appointment, Michel Roux Jr said, “Trocadero’s is going to be the talk of the town and the most iconic venue in Scotland. Fabulous, delicious food, great entertainment, and somewhere people will want to keep coming back to time and time again.”

Managed by Inverlochy Castle Management International (ICMI), Crossbasket Castle has a long-lasting relationship with Michel Roux Jr, a former judge on Masterchef the Professionals, where he has been overseeing the five-star kitchen at the original Crossbasket Castle hotel since 2016.

SCOTTISH VETERANS BENEFIT AS MARRIOT DONATES FURNITURE

The recent redevelopment of the former Holyrood Hotel to the new Edinburgh Marriott Hotel Holyrood saw the property donate more than £11,000 worth of quality furniture, from armchairs and artwork to televisions and desks to Edinburgh-based charity Scottish Veterans Residences (SVR), following the completion of its extensive refurbishment.

The charity - a registered housing support service based at Whitefoord House, within the City’s UNESCO site in the Old Town - provides supported housing for former members of the UK Armed Forces and their services are available to anyone who has served in HM Forces, Reserve Forces or

Merchant Marine, regardless of age or length of service, who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Kirsty Smeaton Brown, SVR’s Residence Manager at Whitefoord House, said:, “The donation is a welcome surprise and addition to the Whitefoord House site, which will enhance our communal and living areas.”

Michael Falla, General Manager of Edinburgh Marriott Hotel Holyrood, commented, ““We are very proud to be able to play our part in the incredibly worthwhile mission Scottish Veterans Residences fulfil daily and the support they offer to former members of the UK Armed Forces by donating the furniture we replaced during the refurbishment.”.

LOCHARDIL HOUSE - THE LATEST ACQUISITION

BY HIGHLAND COAST HOTELS

Lochardil House is the newest addition to the Highland Coast Hotels Collection. The 4-star hotel, a 30 minute walk from Inverness city centre is a Victorian mansion with 28 guest rooms, a dedicated wedding and meeting space and gardens.

Guy Crawford, CEO of Highland Coast Hotels, said, “This is a really exciting milestone for Highland Coast Hotels. Lochardil House is our first hotel in Inverness and is also part of our ongoing investment and commitment to community-led hospitality in the north Highlands.

“We carefully selected this traditional and imposing Highland house to complement our existing hotel collection. It offers exactly the right kind of special charm, authenticity and proximity to the city centre that we were looking for. It’s also conveniently located at the gateway to the north Highlands and the starting point for the world-famous North Coast 500.

“We look forward to welcoming overnight guests to Lochardil House Hotel, as well as establishing the venue as a local community hub with a warm welcome for everyone to enjoy great food, drink and hospitality.”

He added, “Our latest investment in Inverness is testament to our confidence in the potential of the Highland tourism and hospitality industry, which has faced a number of unprecedented economic challenges over the last few years. As well as helping to grow the city’s tourism economy, we also hope to create lasting careers in hospitality that will benefit the wider local

community.”

The Lochardil House development has also set clear objectives to foster and support local talent with the creation of over 40 hospitality jobs in the Highland capital.

Robert Ratcliffe from the Highland Coast Hotels’ Dornoch property, The Royal Golf, has been appointed as the new general manager of Lochardil House.

LECKIE TAKES ON ROLE AS CHAIR OF VISIT SCOTLAND

Stephen Leckie, chief executive of the Crieff Hydro Group of Hotels and who for 12 years has been Chairman of the Scottish Tourism Alliance, has been appointed as Chair of Visit Scotland. He has relinquished his role at the STA with Rebecca Brooks, Managing Director of Abbey UK, and a Director/Owner of the Abbey Group taking on the role of Chair of the STA.

Marc Crothall, CEO Scottish Tourism Alliance said, “The STA Board and team are delighted that Stephen Leckie has been appointed as the new Chairman of Visit Scotland.

“Stephen brings with him not only a profound passion for Scotland’s tourism industry and a deep understanding of the businesses that operate within it across all sectors, but an inspiring strength of vision which will guide Scotland to unlock its potential to become the global leader in 21st century tourism.

“The STA has been extremely fortunate to have had Stephen’s passion and expertise in stewarding the organisation in his role as Chairman for more than 12 years. On behalf of the Board and team, I thank him for his dedication and commitment to elevating the STA to become what is now the foremost body representing tourism and hospitality businesses in Scotland.

“This marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Scotland’s tourism industry and we must look to continue to strengthen and deepen understanding and collaboration between our private sector, public bodies and governments to ensure that Scotland remains a top global destination.”

THE WEEM INN HITS THE MARKET

The Weem Inn, located just outside Aberfeldy, has been put on the market. The 500 year-old Inn which is listed, has undergone a refurbishment, and now has 18 bedrooms with restaurant and bar facilities as well as an outdoor terrace and car parking.

Although the refurbishment will have to be completed by the new owners. The Inn, which has not traded since 2019, is on the market for offers over £425,000.

Alistair Letham, of Graham + Sibbald, who are selling the property comments, “The Weem Inn, historically, has enjoyed excellent patronage as a popular destination for visitors, passing trade and locals which will only be enhanced on completion of the remaining works. A great opportunity for new owners to bring The Weem Inn back to its former glory.”

JD WETHERSPOON PLAN

GEORGE STREET HOTEL

JD Wetherspoons has submitted plans to Edinburgh City Council, to turn the the first, second and third floors of The Standing Order on George Street into a 25-bed hotel.

MELVILLE HOTELS ADDS TO ESTATE

Melville Hotels have added the Garth Hotel Grantown to its portfolio. The group also owns the Royal Thurso Hotel in Thurso, The Royal Dunkeld Hotel, Dunkeld, Loch Long Hotel Arrochar, and MacDonald Hotel, Kinlochleven.

GLENMORANGIE CLOSE ISLAY HOTEL

The Islay Hotel on Islay has now closed but will reopen next year with a new name and a refreshed look.

The hotel, which was bought by The Glenmorangie Company in 2022 will be called Ardbeg House when it relaunches - after the Islay-based Ardbeg Distillery, which is also owned by the company.

Glenmorangie have said that they are planning “bold enhancements” which will “honour the spirit of Islay and share the stories in which the brand is steeped, we aim to offer exceptional

accommodation, food and drink to local residents, tourists and whisky enthusiasts long into the future. “

Led by interior designers Russell Sage Studio, changes will be made to the hotel, bar and restaurant, designed as a hub to bring local residents and visitors together.

Quirky and luxurious bedrooms and suites will each tell unqiue stories of Islay, Ardbeg and its legends, complete with numerous playful details and hidden surprises.

HOTEL INDUSTRY MOST RESILIENT

Demand in the Scottish hotels sector started to pick up in February, boosted by half-term holiday staycations, according to the RSM Hotels Tracker.

The data, which is compiled and produced by Hotstats and analysed by RSM UK, shows occupancy jumped to 68.8% in Scotland last month; up from 64.2% in February 2022, 58% in January 2024, and exceeding pre-pandemic levels of 64.3%.

Average daily rates (ADR) of occupied rooms increased to £102.68 last month, up from £89.39 in January 2024, £92.17 in February 2023, and pre-pandemic rates of £80.77 in February 2020. Revenue per available room (RevPAR) of Scottish hotels increased to £70.61 in February 2024, up from £51.88 in January 202, £59.22 in February 2023 and £51.92 in February 2020.

Gross operating profits (GOP) saw a sharp monthly jump from 2.4% in January 2024 to 18.3% in February 2024, with further increases in comparison to February 2023 (12.8%) and February 2020 (15.2%).

Stuart McCallum, partner and head of consumer markets in Scotland at RSM UK, said: “February was a relatively strong month for the Scottish hotel sector, boosted by households opting for UK staycations during the half-term holiday and romantic Valentine’s Day getaways. The latest uptick does not come as a surprise,

as it’s a very seasonal business, however hoteliers will be relieved to see activity pick up in February, after a slow start to the year.

“While the wider leisure and hospitality industry achieved only a modest increase in sales last month according to the CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker, and growth was flat for retail sales, it seems the hotel industry continues to be the most resilient when facing current headwinds. Encouragingly, the outlook also remains positive, helped by the UK’ economic recovery and improving consumer confidence as households start to feel like they have more money in their pocket.

“In Scotland this is even more significant, as hotel owners have not received access to the same level of support as businesses south of the border have experienced, namely business rates relief. There are also ongoing challenges for Scotland’s night-time economy which will impact the hotel sector, including staffing issues and the Glasglow Low Emission Zone initiative, which is weakening footfall for local businesses and demand for taxis.

“But, there is reason for cautious optimism, as Glasgow city council has postponed plans to extend parking charges after receiving resistance from the night-time economy. This shows that, although on a local level, government is responding to concerns raised by businesses. “

Canny Man’s hotel gets the go ahead

Plans to build a new four-storey 12-bedroom hotel and two short-term rental flats in the car park of the Canny Man’s Morningside pub have been given the go-ahead by the City of Edinburgh Council.

The car park on Canaan Lane lies between the pub, its beer garden, and the Lane Hotel- which is already owned by the Canny Man’s owners, Kerr Pubs and Hotels.

According to the design statement, this space is “sacrificial in relation to current use and deemed the best location to consider a new building” because the pub customers don’t travel to the Canny Man’s by car.

The new hotel is expected to have four rooms with en-suite bathrooms on each of the first, second and third floors while the ground floor will have two apartments with their own front door as well as a small rear garden.

Trump Turnberry signs up to Armed Forces Covenant

Trump Turnberry has signed the Armed Forces Covenant, along with 17 other organisations in the Scottish Lowlands.

The Armed Forces Covenant represents a pledge to acknowledge and understand that those who serve or who have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy and society they serve with their lives.

By signing this covenant, Trump Turnberry and its fellow signatories reaffirm their dedication to upholding these values within their organisations.

Organisations participating in the covenant signing gathered for networking, shared insights and celebrations to mark the occasion at the hotel with the day’s celebrations continuing with a golf tournament on Turnberry’s Ailsa Course. The tournament saw service

personnel from The Royal Navy, The British Army, The Royal Air Force and Veterans vying for top place, reinforcing the military’s longstanding tradition of promoting golf within its ranks.

Lieutenant Colonel Lee Curson, Commanding Officer of 6 SCOTS within The Royal Regiment of Scotland, who presented each organisation with their Armed Forces Covenant is pictured right with Ralph Porciani, General Manager of Trump Turnberry.

Trump Turnberry’s commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, coupled with the day’s celebrations, not only highlights a profound respect for military personnel, veterans and their families but also highlights the strong bond and relationship between the Armed Forces and civilian sectors. The resort also offers preferential rates for all armed service personnel and veterans.

MAR HALL HOTEL STAFFS UP WITH RAFT OF NEW APPOINTMENTS

Mar Halls new owners are powering ahead with a mutlimillion pound refurbishment and have now strengthened their team.

Align Partners, on behalf of Dutco, in its bid to reposition the hotel into a luxury five-star Scottish destination has made five new appointments across the resort.

Executive Head Chef Tony Tapia joins the hotel with a wealth of experience having worked in several 3 AA Rosette restaurants, and alongside industry icons, Rick Stein and Michel Roux Jr.

Tony is joined by new Head Pastry Chef, Louise Campbell. Originally from Manchester, Louise has worked in Scotland for 30 years refining her skills in collaboration with industry experts, including executive chef Michael Mizzen at Hilton Glasgow.

The hotel has a new Head Concierge in the shape of awardwinning Alan McDougall. He holds the current role of Chairman of the Society of The Golden Keys of Great Britain & The Commonwealth and brings his renowned passion for meeting and

exceeding guests’ expectations to Mar Hall.

Mar Hall is also investing in the grounds across the estate, including its championship 18-hole golf course, and has appointed Andrew Eckford as Head Greenkeeper. He brings his 13 years of experience in greenkeeping at Cameron House, and professional golfer, Christopher McQueen, joins as Head of Golf. He formerly worked at Gleddoch Resort and Spa and Trump Turnberry Resort.

On the meeting and events side, a new dedicated wedding and events team has been created that will be led by Commercial Manager, Fiona Gallagher, who has been promoted from within.

David Webster, operations director at Align Partners, the investment and asset management team leading the transformation at the hotel, said, “ “From culinary and events to golf and activities, we have appointed some of the most renowned names within their respective fields to help us deliver our vision for Mar Hall as a worldclass destination resort, and we are incredibly excited for guests to experience the new proposition.”

ALAN MCDOUGALL

LOUISE CAMPBELL

TONY TAPIA

ANDREW ECKFORD

CHRISTOPHER MCQUEEN

£600K INVESTMENT IN GREEN INITIATIVES AT RADISSON BLU

“It is my hope that by inspiring behavioural changes within the staff, pursuing further projects, and communicating our efforts to our guests, that we will continue to do our part in reshaping the industry’s approach to sustainability.”

Hina Rubbani-Mills,

Radisson Blu Glasgow is embarking on an ambitious plan to phase out gas usage within its 247-room hotel as a participant in a wider green climate transition project, by owners Pandox AB, worth around £25m.

The three-year programme aims to help reduce the venue’s impact on the environment by cutting out gas usage using science-based targets.

A new heat pump system is being installed to regulate temperature within the Glasgow city centre venue, designed to be 1.5x more efficient than using gas and is estimated to result in at least a 32% reduction in CO2 emissions.

Alongside seven other hotel venues spanning the UK and Europe owned by Sweden-headquartered Pandox, the total investment to future-proof Radisson Blu Glasgow and its sister properties totals around £25m – with the Glasgow venue receiving over £600,000.

Further to the new heat pump system, the hotel is also introducing motion sensor and energy efficient lighting, an AI-powered food waste analytics system, and market-leading software ‘Go Green PMI’ designed to provide tailored recommendations on resource management. The hotel is also implementing Klimato, an analytics system to calculate the carbon footprint of each menu item and provide recommendations for improvement.

The team has created a significant reduction in the use of environmentally damaging chemicals after switching to Enozo’s aqueous ozone cleaning products, with an aim to replace the remaining chemicals with Eco-labelled alternatives by the end of Q1.

Additional measures underway from the hotel include specialised Nespresso capsule recycling; replacing plastic water bottles with glass, staff sustainability training sessions, GreenKey and renewed BREEAM certification.

It is estimated that these new initiatives will save around £2.5m per year, equivalent to an average ROI of 11%, and reducing CO2 emissions by at least 42%.

Radisson Blu Glasgow is reaching these goals through the support of an in-house Sustainability Coach.

Hina Rubbani-Mills, General Manager of Radisson Blu Glasgow, said, “In an industry where indulgence is often perceived as the hallmark of excellence, finding the perfect harmony between a premier guest experience and a commitment to environmental responsibility can be challenging. This is why it is great that Pandox have enabled their hotels to have dedicated in-house sustainability coaches, who can focus solely on driving environmental progress within the hotel.

“While the implementation of new green initiatives will significantly reduce our carbon footprint, it is my hope that by inspiring behavioural changes within the staff, pursuing further projects, and communicating our efforts to our guests, that we will continue to do our part in reshaping the industry’s approach to sustainability.

“This substantial investment is a testament to our dedication to the issue, positioning us well to meet our group’s target emissions in alignment with the Paris Accords by the year 2030.

“The challenges facing us as an industry are well documented and we’re aware of how key our role is, as a large-scale hospitality operation, to reduce our environmental impact.

“According to the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, tourism contributes about 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with some of the worst offenders being chemical usage, inefficient energy systems and poor waste management.

“Importantly, this sustainability project allows us to play our part in looking after the wider world, whilst also making our business more economically efficient. Guests are more aware than ever about where they choose to stay based on eco-friendly policies, which is something we continue to address through implementing those smaller day-to-day changes, like switching our cleaning products to chemical-free formulas.

“We look forward to taking the next steps in our green journey.”

WHAT’S NEW

CAFE SOLO MAKES ITS DEBUT

CAFÉ SOLO has announced the launch of its debut expression, CAFÉ SOLO ORIGINAL - the first in a range of full-bodied super premium cold brew coffee liqueurs made in the UK. There will also be a selection of cask-finished coffee liqueurs, which offer interest and complexity for mixologists making cocktails in bars.CAFÉ SOLO is made with espresso-strength coffee from specialty cold brew coffee makers SOLO Coffee and premium British Vodka. The coffee used is a blend of freshly ground, sustainably sourced Brazilian and Colombian beans. CAFÉ SOLO Original has an ABV of 25%..

CAFÉ SOLO Brand Manager, Holly Harwood comments:, “There continues to be phenomenal popularity for coffee-based cocktails, such as the Espresso Martini. We recognised the need for a premium coffee liqueur when speaking to bartenders across the UK. Many simply felt that the coffee liqueurs on offer were far too sweet or were not exciting enough. CAFÉ SOLO Original is the perfect sipping liqueur or base for your favourite coffee cocktail.”

BERRY BROS & RUDD SPRING 2024 RELEASE

Berry Bros. & Rudd, has revealed its 2024 Spring Release. The latest spirits lineup showcases a selection of whiskies and rum from both emerging and iconic regions, including Sweden, South America, Speyside and the Scottish highlands. Single malt Scotch whiskies hailing from Speyside take centre stage with releases from Knockdhu, Craigellachie, Glenlossie sitting alongside a Benrinnes distilled in 1979 from Berry Bros. & Rudd’s highly coveted Exceptional Cask Collection. Accompanying the Speyside single malts is a peated Madeira cask finish from highland distillery Ardmore.

The Swedish representative is a High Coast Peated 2012, a bottling with unmistakable nordic character that delivers an exceptional sensory experience. The final spirit within the seasonal release is a Guyanese rum.

LOCH LOMOND LAUNCH TWO LIMITED EDITION SINGLE MALTS TO CELEBRATE THE OPEN AT TROON

Loch Lomond Whiskies, the official Spirit of The Open, has unveiled two limitededition single malt whiskies to mark The 152nd Open at Royal Troon this summer.

The Open Special Edition 2024 (RRP £45; 46% ABV) and The Open Course Collection 2024 (RRP £290; 47.1% ABV) have been released to commemorate the prestigious golf tournament, and will pay tribute to the people, players and courses throughout the history of The Open.

The Open Special Edition 2024 has been crafted by Loch Lomond Group’s Master Blender, Michael Henry, in collaboration with Loch Lomond Whiskies ambassador Colin Montgomerie.

The 152nd Open will be held from 1421 July 2024 at Royal Troon

LEGISLATIVE CHANGES 2024

A raft of new legislation has come into force. From the new minimum wage to changes in employment law. These laws affect every employer not just in hospitality. Here is an outline of the changes.

The new Minimum Wage and National Living Wage came into force on the 1st April, but it was no April Fool. Additionaly the National Living Wage will now also apply to those aged 21 and over.

The new rates are as follows:

Holiday Entitlement

For leave years beginning on or after 1 April 2024, there is a new accrual method for irregular hour workers and part-year workers in the first year of employment and beyond. Holiday entitlement for these workers will be calculated as 12.07% of actual hours worked in a pay period.

Flexible Working

Employees now have right to make a flexible working request from day one of employment. Previously employees needed at least 26 weeks employment before making a formal request. This is now effective.

The Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2023 introduces several procedural changes to flexible working requests. Employees will be able to make two flexible working requests in any one year and will no longer be required to set out how their request may affect their employer’s business. These changes will come into effect following the issuance of Regulations by the Secretary of State.

Atypical Working

The Workers (Predictable Terms and Conditions) Act 2023 establishes a new statutory right for workers who have atypical contracts to request more predictable terms and conditions of work. Workers under these contracts which encompasses fixedterm workers, agency workers, and those engaged under zero-hour contracts.

This Act has received Royal Assent but it is expected that it will not come into force until around September 2024.

The right to make a request extends to all workers and employees, who can make a maximum of two applications in any 12-month period. However, the right to make a request will be subject to a minimum service requirement. The length of this minimum service requirement has not been established yet, but there has been indication that it will likely be 26 weeks.

Workers may make a request under the Act where there is a lack of predictability in any part of their work pattern.

This includes:

- the number of days they work;

- days of the week and times during the day they work;

- period for which they are contracted to work.

Harassment

The Workers Protection (Amendments of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023 places a responsibility on employers to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of their employees in the workplace.

This Act will come into force in October 2024.

A further Act (now law) - the Protection from Sex-Based Harassment in Public Act 2023 introduces amendments to the Public Order Act 1986 and establishes a new offence of intentional harassment, alarm or distress on account of sex. This offence applies when someone engages in threatening, abusive or intentional behaviour in public, specifically targeting the victim due to their sex or perceived sex.

A workplace could be considered to be a public place, which could mean that employers may be criminally liable for sexual harassment at work.

Hate Crime In Scotland

The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act is now law. It introduces new offences for threatening or abusive behaviour which is intended to stir up hatred based on prejudice towards characteristics including age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, transgender identity and variations in sex characteristics. These extra provisions will add to the long-standing stirring up racial hatred offences, which have been in place UK-wide since 1986.

Carer’s Leave Act 2023

This leave is a day-one right, available to all employees without any qualifying period. It applies to anyone caring for a spouse, civil partner, child, parent or other dependant who needs care because of a disability, old age or any illness or injury likely to require at least three months’ care. This leave is unpaid. The maximum duration of the leave is one week per year. While employers can’t deny an employee’s request for carer’s leave, they can postpone it if they reasonably consider that the operation of the business would be unduly disrupted if it were approved.

Redundancy

Previously employees on maternity leave, shared parental leave or adoption had special protection in a redundancy situation. Now the legislation has been extended to pregnant employees and those who have recently returned from maternity or adoption leave and shared parental leave.

Contact your Employment Lawyer for the full low down.

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MHAIRI WILSON, Travel Writer and Founder of tourism and hospitality PR agency, Shine PR, gives us her lowdown on what is trending internationally.

THE TIPPING POINT

When I’m travelling, I’m looking at every aspect of a hotel stay – the welcome, ambience, vibe, efficiency, design, sustainability, comfort, ease of the delivery of expectations, the hotel team, service, authenticity and how that hotel positions itself within the destination.

I’m also always looking at what trends are being adopted by hotels, and why. Little changes in consumer behaviour I see which aggregate over months and years and point to something bigger. Themes I read about which become a ‘thing’.

During and post pandemic, the focus for human behaviour was on health and technology. Technology gave us new tools to work, live and look after ourselves. We found new and better ways of living and our wishes and demands as consumers have rapidly changed, including our expectations of the hotel industry.

In Malcolm Gladwell’s ‘Tipping Point’, he refers to ‘that magic moment when an idea, trend, or social behaviour crosses a threshold, tips and spreads like wildfire.’

The exciting part of a trend, for me, is the journey to that tipping point; examining what the drivers are, how ‘sticky’ a trend might be and the impact of that. There are of course trends within trends, from the extreme to the easily adoptable, the ‘totally out there’ to the more mainstay.

Here’s where I’m seeing a big focus; themes which I think are on their way to or have reached tipping point.

Sleep

According to research by Hilton, the top travel trend for 2024 is sleep tourism. I’ve become intrigued as to how different hotels are tapping into this trend, so recently took a five day ‘sleepcation’ at the Equinox Hotel New York.

Named one of the two hotels in the United States on the 2024 list of The World’s 50 Best Hotels, The Equinox promises ‘your best sleep’, thanks to its Art + Science of Sleep programme.

With a touch of the ‘Dark. Quiet. Cool’ option on the in-room iPad, my room shuts down to the optimal sleep setting, functioning as a ‘sleep chamber’, blocking out both sound and light pollution.

The bed is layered with temperatureregulating natural fibres and get this, not one duvet. Not a sharing duvet. A duvet each. There’s even a movement, meditation and breathwork programme that will optimise your circadian rhythms to help you unwind at night and energise in the morning.

The RoomBar is stocked with all manner of pouches and patches to induce slumber and revive. Herbal teas, tinctures, wellness patches, high-performance eye masks, collagen face masks, superfoods, snacks to support natural melatonin production, revivers, restorers and relaxers.

London’s first hotel dedicated to sleep and wellbeing, the 750 room Zedwell Hotel opened in early 2020, with three more properties opening since.

The flagship property in Piccadilly is

soundproof, the air purified rooms (or ‘cocoons’) are windowless with soothing colours and cosy lights, all of which promise a whole new level of rest.

Sleep is officially, the new rock n’ roll.

Rooms

Rooms are becoming much smarter.

The Equinox Hotel Hudson Yards in room iPads allow you to control every aspect of your experience such as temperature, lighting, blinds and privacy and you can book in room dining, wellness rituals, fitness classes, restaurants and taxis.

Wireless charging is no longer a hightech luxury, it’s a staple. No more messy cord dangling across your bedside table. Mats are where it’s at. And mobile keys.

In Room Wellness is also a thing. Open a drawer and you’ll find yoga mats and blocks, stretch bands and kettle bells.

Mini-bars have also had a ‘glow up’. The bar in my room in New York came with little bottles of cocktails from Via Carotta in Manhattan’s West Village, a favourite of Taylor Swift.

I stayed at the 1886 Post Hotel in Ghent a few years ago which had the chicest mini-bar; a carefully curated collection of spirits, cocktail making accoutrements and menus, fresh lemon and lime and importantly, crystal glasses to drink your Negroni in style.

Hello, protein bars and shakes, superfoods, ginger shots, matcha tea, herbal remedies and self-care products. Goodbye Toblerone and Pringles.

Also, a high five to mini bars showcasing local provenance, whether it’s, food, drink, local textiles or crafts. Any opportunity to tell stories, connect guests with the destination and showcase authenticity is a win-win.

Wellness

Early on in my recent stay in New York, I found myself gesturing to the spa menu with my ‘Relax’ patch covered wrists, suggesting a conveyor belt of treatments. “Shall we book an IV Nutridrip? Cryotherapy? The wave table that gives you three hours of sleep in 30 minutes? The face lift facial?”

The Global Wellness Institute estimates that the world’s wellness market is projected to reach £800 billion in 2024 and rising. Wellness is no longer a tick box extra or

a 60-minute massage in a hotel spa followed by a G&T (although that does actually sound quite good…). It’s holistic, encompassing nutrition to the aesthetics and ambience of the surroundings, sleep and the ability to offer guests a personalised experience, curated to their needs, lifestyle and goals.

Wellness and self-care has gone next level.

Design

We spend 90% of our time indoors, so it’s no surprise that hotels are adapting how they physically look to create the best possible experiences for guests. I’ve seen a huge growth in hotels which are bringing elements of nature into the design of their interiors and exteriors to create a feeling of wellness, harmony and ultimately, relaxation.

Natural light, soothing design, ‘blue spaces’ (water features), living walls, locally sourced furnishings and muted interiors is the design shift I’m seeing, whether it’s the agritourism finca in Ibiza I visit twice a year (Atzaró Agroturismo Hotel) to the big global brands.

Sustainability

According to the World Tourism & Travel Council, the tourism industry accounts for 11% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

We still want to travel, often long distances. When we get there, we want to know that we’re having as little impact on the environment as possible, so hotels with totally integrated green practices in all aspects of the business are going to come further up the choice list than ones that are box ticking.

A sustainability study by luxury travel advisers, Virtuoso, found that 78% of luxury travellers prefer doing business with companies with strong sustainability policies and 75% of travellers would pay for more eco-friendly options if they knew how those funds were being used.

A focus on sustainability isn’t new of course but today’s traveller is looking for ingrained practices which run through the DNA of a hotel, from its physical infrastructure, energy efficiency, waste management and cleaning products to its menus, with an increasing emphasis on locally sourced food and more vegetarian and vegan options.

Little changes I’ve noticed recently include branded water flasks by the side of your bed which you can fill up at water stations during your stay, no single use plastic toiletry bottles in hotel rooms, upcycled furniture and materials, charity and local partnerships and hyper local sourcing beyond food and drink.

Sustainability’s no longer a tick box. It’s a lifestyle.

Personalisation

Having a forensic approach to collecting customer data and using it creatively to get to the hearts and minds of your audience and bring them closer to you is where it’s at.

Research by McKinsey found that companies that excel at personalisation generate 40% more revenue from those activities than average players. As consumers, we constantly receive information which is customised and targeted to us as individuals, so we expect the same level of personalisation from a hotel stay, both digitally and on property.

Many years ago, I learned about The Ritz-Carlton Mystique – the ‘magic’ behind the brand and the basis for everything that they do. That was such a head turner for me. The idea of creating a service value around “the fascinating aura of mystery, awe, and power surrounding someone or something.” The surprise and delight moments, from big showstoppers to subtle gesture, which leave a guest wondering “How did they know that?”

That’s down to data and how you use it. With brand style, flair, personality and human touch, of course. And remember ‘data’ is a broad term. I prefer to think of that as ‘knowledge’. Not everything comes from a computer report. Some things are right in front of your eyes. I could go deep on this. Another time…

I’ll be interested to see how our hospitality industry in Scotland evolves to embrace trends and changes in behaviours which are working their toward to the tipping point. It’s important that we do and it’s crucial that our governments have a clear understanding of the potential and opportunity for our hospitality and tourism industry within the global marketplace.We can realise the vision of our national tourism strategy, Outlook 2030, that ‘Scotland will be a leader in 21st century tourism’, but our industry needs focussed investment, supportive fiscal levers, and a global mindset to support us in getting us there.

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KNIPOCH HOUSE OFFICIALLY REOPENS

The family-owned Sonas Collection has just relaunched Knipoch House Hotel, a country house hotel near Oban.

The 26-bedroom hotel marks the fourth property for the collection as the largest hotel and its first outside of the Isle of Skye.

Over the past nine months Sonas Collection has invested over £1 million to reinvent the hotel with a complete renovation to the bedrooms, the bathrooms, dining rooms, bar, and lounge .

Anne Gracie-Gunn, Owner and Director of Sonas Collection, said: “I, together with my highly skilled team at Sonas are truly delighted to be relaunching this wonderful property which I have admired from afar for many years. It is a perfect fit for our Skye-based collection and will enable us to offer our guests yet another location to explore under the Sonas brand.

“It has been a great pleasure to have worked alongside each of our skilled tradespeople to develop this well-known venue in Argyll. Our guests, from near and far, can now enjoy our sympathetic designs, our Hebridean hospitality, our freshly prepared locally sourced menus and drinks selection under the close eye of our Group General Manager Andreas Maszczyk.”

Knipoch House Hotel also offers high-end, modern Scottish dining in its onsite restaurants headed by Chef Andrew Engledow, who has joined the Oban venue from his previous position at the group’s Duisdale House Hotel.

Andreas Maszczyk, Group General Manager of Sonas Collection, said: “I am honoured and so delighted having the opportunity to expand with Anne the Sonas Hotel Collection Group from the Isle of Skye to the mainland of Scotland. It’s a real privilege for our whole team at the Sonas Hotel Collection to be welcoming the Knipoch House Hotel into our collection.

“Since we took over, the hotel has been awarded a rising star hotel award and it is wonderful to get to work with the team to relaunch the “sleeping beauty”. The Knipoch House Hotel is an iconic country house hotel. The investment already completed has created the most beautiful new rooms, and the hotel is perfectly located for leisure and business.”

Over 20 years since founding the Sonas Collection with her late husband Ken, Anne continues to lead the hospitality group with an unwavering passion for Highland hospitality.

HOSPITALITY IN HIS DNA

Marcello Ventisei has just been appointed Cluster General Manager for two iconic properties in the IHG portfolio Kimpton Blythswood Square and voco Grand Central. Susan Young joined him for a coffee to find out more.

Icaught up with Marcello Ventisei at the Kimpton Blythswood Square, just weeks after his appointment as Cluster General Manager looking after not only the voco Grand Central which he took over last July, but now the Kimpton Blythswood Square too. Marcello who is a Glaswegian with Italian heritage is looking remarkably relaxed. But then he has been in hospitality for as long as he can remember.

Marcello tells me, “My background is very typically Scottish Italian. My Nonno immigrated to Scotland in the early 1920s and he set up catering businesses here in Glasgow. My grandparents had typical ice cream cafes and chip shops. My dad carried on in hospitality and became a chef to trade. He learned his

skills at the The Berkeley at Charing cross. So hospitality has always been in my DNA in one way or another.”

Growing up Marcello worked in the family businesses including the chip shop and he reckons that the life lessons he learned there have stood him in very good stead in hotels of all sizes.

He studied hotel management at Glasgow Caledonian, formerly the Queens College and affectionately known as the Dough School, and reveals he originally wanted to be a chef. Indeed he is still keen on cooking. “Cooking is my happy place – I even have a pizza oven at home. Mind you that is probably not what the chefs who I have worked with would tell you.”

However, his father persuaded Marcello to study hotel management, with the view if he

wanted to be a chef in the future, he could do so.

Marcello has never regretted the decision. “It’s funny because many of the people I met at Glasgow Caledonian, some 30 years ago, are still really good friends. I think that typifies this industry.”

As part of his placement with Queens College he got the opportunity to go work for De Vere at the Grand Hotel in Brighton. Says Marcello, “The Grand really opened my eyes to what a large hotel could look and feel like. It was the destination hotel on the south coast and hosted events such as the Tory Party Conference, the BBC conference and such like. I was able to experience what a hotel could deliver. I was only supposed to be there 9/10 months but managed to get an exemption and

stay 14 months.

“One of the reasons I wanted to stay was because of the General Manager Richard Baker. He had taken the hotel over only six weeks before it was bombed and he was the youngest General Manager of any 5-star hotel in the UK. He had a great influence on me. He knew his staff, had an entrepreneurial spirit and was the consummate host. He also made a point of thanking you for even small tasks. For instance he would tell me what a great job I had done cleaning the kitchen floor! But the reason I knew how to wash a floor was because my dad had made sure I got this right when I did it in the chip shop!

“After graduating I was inspired to go back to De Vere and went down South and spent eight years with them mainly at Mottram Hall Hotel. It was a magnet for huge events and anything that was happening in the Northwest happened there.

“My GM there was Paul Clayton, who was similar to Richard when it came to entrepreneurial skills. He really engaged with his team and knew everyone in the hotel – he knew them by name. He used to say, “If you are good enough, you are old enough.” Although I was young he gave me a lot of responsibility and exposure to different areas of the hotel including the leisure side of the business. Spas and golf were all new to me.

“Mottram Hall operated and positioned itself as the North West’s leading luxury hotel at the time, and it was a great learning ground. It was a conversion property dating back to 1721 with relatively small rooms and limited public areas. However it ran at a very high occupancy across the year. Guest expectation was high and we had to learn to make the most of the spirit of hospitality. . In addition, we operated a lot of bespoke f marquee events for 450 people. I learned the importance of service, delivery, logistics and planning. I also realised how important it was to be flexible. We all had a ‘can do’ attitude.”

Marcello became a hotel manager at Mottram Hall when he was 26, and he also met his wife to be there. By the time he was 30 he was keen for a General Manager role but, to get that role he had to change company. He explains, “De Vere, at that point, had 24 hotels. It was a large and complex business with many seasoned GM’s, and it seemed unlikely that there would be a GM role anytime soon. By this time I had been there eight years. I then saw an advertisement for an IHG property. To get the role I had to do an assessment day at Heathrow. It was intense. I had never experienced anything like it. We had to do exercises in numeracy, verbal reasoning, role plays and all the time we were being observed. Afterwards my wife asked me how I had got on. I told her that I wasn’t sure, but the

experience had made me want to really work for them.

Luckily, he got the job and joined IHG as GM at The Holiday Inn York, which was beside the Racecourse. Says Marcello, “When I arrived there it was described to me as ‘being on its knees’. It was at the bottom of the IHG league table. But I managed to get some good people on board and within 18 months it was at the top of the IHG leagues. It was a most enjoyable time and then I was promoted to GM at the 300-bedroom Holiday Inn Glasgow Airport in 2004. That’s what brought me back to Scotland.”

He stayed there until 2008 before moving, albeit briefly, to the Westerwood Hotel, operated by Q Hotels. Says Marcello ruefully, “I only stayed three months. I just didn’t fit into the culture there. But everything happens for a reason and by December 2008 I had taken a role at RBH (formerly BDL).

“RBH was culturally a brilliant fit. It was a great company which was expanding and buying independent hotels up and down the country. I took on the project of The Swallow in Dundee. I think it was the saddest hotel I have ever seen in my life, and I was given a budget and a timeline to turn it around.

“I have to say Dundee was a great place. The business people were very welcoming and people had a passion and an affinity with the hotel. They were happy to see it being invested in. They had seen it slide and wanted to see it back on top.”

Fourteen months later it had been changed into a boutique hotel and renamed The Landmark. Marcello smiles, “It was a success story. On back of that I was approached to come back to the central belt by Richard Grime MD of Paragon Hotels and take on the GM role at the then The Roxburgh Hotel in Edinburgh. I had never worked with Richard, but he knew of me because of my time at IHG.

“I was there eight years. It’s now a Kimpton. But over my tenure I had three different owners - I took it from a Management contract at Macdonald Hotels, to a franchised operation with Crowne Plaza. It was then sold to Starwood, then part of the Principal Hayley Group. Over the period, with the three different owners, it was also reinvented – there were three different versions of the hotel. However, the spirit of hospitality was always at the root of everything that we did.”

Marcello then took a role as Cluster Manager with Macdonald Hotels. This was a regional role across the Central belt and his hotels included Houston House, Inchyra Grange and the Holyrood Hotel.

Eighteen months later he rejoined RBH as GM of the Doubletree. Marcello says, “It was a great hotel, and the Sky Bar was the very heartbeat of it. I worked with a lot of great

people.” He was also there when the pandemic broke out. The hotel closed and Marcello learned a few new skills. “I was handling every sales enquiry and l learned so much about our sales processes. Every email and every phone number came to me. Suddenly the owners of meeting and events agencies were having to phone you themselves. It was like going back 30 years talking to people on the phone about their events and finding solutions.” He continues, “As soon as government restrictions allowed us to trade, we got our team back into the work environment as quickly as possible. We didn’t really struggle with resourcing –we had our key people back and we were in a good position and in Edinburgh business increased quickly.”

Certainly there have been no shortage of opportunities for Marcello. He came back to Glasgow and joined voco Grand Central last July and now his remit has expanded to include the Kimpton Blythswood. He has overall responsibility for the management of both city centre properties while working alongside the onsite teams.

Says Marcello, “I am a generalist and in my role that is a strength. I am genuinely passionate about hospitality – that is all I am interested in. I am always asking ‘how can we do it differently and would it be better for guests or better for people that work here – if we can make things better, we are doing a good job.

“I am also quite commercially driven. I attribute that having come from family business background. I understand everything you do has a cost and that you have the opportunity to improve how a business performs. But it is also necessary to have some fun in your culture and not take everything too seriously. For instance, recently it was National Pyjama Day –all the guys at Grand Central were all dressed up that day in their pyjamas. It was great fun.”

However what was not fun was the news that Glasgow City Council was planning to establish evening parking charges, although they have now delayed that, and hopefully it will not reappear.

Marcello comments, “It was a badly thought out policy. I signed the petition. Having worked in Edinburgh and now having come back to Glasgow I can see that Glasgow is behind Edinburgh when it comes to encouraging people into the city centre. When it comes to street cleanliness, making streets feel safe, the amount of shops closed, coupled with the low emission zone – I don’t think Glasgow City Council is sending the right message to either Glaswegians or tourists. Edinburgh is cleaner and more welcoming and so is Dublin. They seem to have a strategy that invites people in, and they manage to keep the city cleaner even although it is hugely busy. Glasgow City Council need to do more.”

He continues, “I am still settling in and getting my head around this beautiful hotel. There is great momentum here with a multi-million investment in the newly refurbished Spa and that will be a big part of how we position this hotel going forward. I am lucky that the two hotels I now run, Kimpton Blythswood and voco Grand Central, are owned by a real estate investment trust based in France. They are committed to investing in these properties and hotels like these need that.. But I want to bring some of my personality to the hotel too. I don’t like stuffiness. My ethos is to be as flexible as possible and allow a guest to feel at home. For instance, if a guest is staying here and wants breakfast at 2.30pm – they can have breakfast.”

It is obvious that hospitality runs in Marcello’s veins but what is also obvious is his enthusiasm for promoting hospitality as a career. “I think it’s important that we all try to encourage young people into our industry and help them see the range of careers beyond the front-line operations. It’s often clear that many young people are unaware of the careers we can offer in Sales, Finance, HR and Engineering. And of course, the fact that if you want to travel you can go as far as you want and you get an insight into many other industries. . When you start to tell them about the potential of hospitality and what we offer you can see the lights come on.”

“However it is like anything the more you put in, the more you get out. We also get to work in great buildings. Who wouldn’t want to work in the Blythswood? It’s a fabulous building and it is a privilege to work in hotels like this. There’s no comparison when you compare it to working in an office from 9am – 5pm.”

In January Marcello also got the opportunity to go to Cornell in the USA, on a HIT Scholarship. It was an experience he relished. “Cornell was amazing. It is difficult to fully articulate how good it was. You feel inspired by just being there. We were challenged each day – and encourage to think about how you operate different parts of your business. It forces you to step back and look at what you do strategically.

“There were people there from across the world and from all different types of hotels. One had a 32-bedroom hotel in Montenegro while there were two executives there from The Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas which has 7,000 rooms but everyone had the same challenges and the same things they were trying to achieve.”

He continues, “It made me realise that Hospitality in the UK and particularly Scotland is actually in quite a good place compared to the US and Europe. It makes you step back and appreciate the skill sets we have here – we do have great people.

“We have very few vacancies – we have a combination of people with some good length of service – and people who are relatively new. I certainly think the labour market is improving.

“This industry is all about human connections and building relationships and I think it is important to maintain them. However, that becomes more challenging as we automate things like sales. I suppose on the flip side if you spend more time automating certain things you can spend more time building relationships with your own staff and your own community and being more physically present with guests.

“There are challenges in hospitality, but I think we are going in the right direction and making people realise you can have a good work/life balance in hospitality too.

Unfortunately some people still base their perceptions on what hospitality was like 20 years ago – but the industry has moved on. We look after our people, we don’t put barriers in the way of people progressing, and if you are good enough, and put in enough effort, the opportunities are abundant.”

I asked Marcello who he most admired, first of all from a guest point of view. He didn’t hesitate. “Sir Alex Ferguson. He was a frequent guest at Mottram Hall and I got to know him well. I even played a football match with him with the back of house staff – we lost. He was genuinely very humble and very giving with his time. I liked that.”

As to who he admired most in the industry. He said, “That person is Andrew Mackay the founder of the Caithness Collection. I met Andy on day one of university. He followed a similar path to me working for De Vere and Marriott but took a risk and came away from corporate employment to buy a hotel in Wick – The Norseman Hotel. He has taken all his professionalism, everything he has learned, and has taken it and rewritten it in the north. He now runs three hotels and is so professional with a really structured approach to his hotel. He engages with the community and is a big supporter of apprenticeships. Andy is always working to bring on youth and he has done it on his own. He has achieved all this with no head office and no management team. He has passion and vision. I take my hat off to him. He is a great source of inspiration.”

When Marcello put up the post on LinkedIn regarding his new role a lot of people congratulated him. Marcello says, “It was overwhelming and some of them I had not seen for 20 years, but I have been fortunate enough to work with them and get to know them.”

I am sure they would agree Marcello, is also inspirational.

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BRISBANE HOUSE

PROUD SUPPLIER TO THE MANORVIEW GROUP

risbane House in Largs, owned by Manorview, has opened with a brand-new look that includes some wow-factor areas and special touches. The unveil follows an extensive refurbishment that was completed over

All areas of the boutique hotel have been refurbished, but the extra special touches include a stunning wow-factor duplex honeymoon suite with private balcony, a dedicated wedding prep room, and an upgraded glass-front function suite with doors that slide open to an extended terrace – all boasting

The 17 guest bedrooms throughout the property have been refurbished to create modern and relaxing spaces that are perfect for a short break to the seaside. An exciting new edition is The Caledonian Suite, an impressive two floor suite with luxurious finishes and a

The suite provides guests with a spa bath, private bar with complimentary cocktails and steam room shower, as wll as an exlusive-use balcony which overlooks Largs

In addition to being included in all wedding packages, the suite will be available to book up to three months in advance for special occasions.

Locals celebrating milestones of every kind will be able to host events in the hotel’s Brisbane Suite, which has also been upgraded. The space has beautiful new lighting provided by North Star Electric and décor that’s suitable for any occasion, and to make the most of the spectacular setting, the terrace to the front has been extended, and the glass front changed to large sliding doors so that it can open to the outside.

David Tracey, Managing Director at Manorview said, “Largs has such stunning scenery, and Brisbane House has a great location on the front. We took every possible opportunity during the refurbishment to make the most of those views – as we know our guests will absolutely love them too!”

Last year, Manorview confirmed that couples who book weddings at Brisbane House will now get full run of the venue, as it will be exclusive-use on their wedding day. But new guest rooms, a brand-new honeymoon suite and upgraded function suite aren’t the only new things couples will enjoy!

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The former restaurant in the hotel building has been turned into The Cochrane Suite - a dedicated drinks reception space for weddings. With a bar, outdoor terrace which makes the most of the views, and mixed seating, the space is perfect for couples to mingle and greet guests immediately after their vows. The room will also be used for the newlyweds and their guests to enjoy breakfast the morning after their wedding.

The Wallace Suite is also brand new. With an ensuite shower room, sofa, smart tv, bar area and three dedicated dressing tables with large mirrors, the suite has been designed especially as a wedding prep room. Hair, makeup, dressing and celebrating can all take place in that suite on the morning of the wedding! The room benefits from natural light with two large windows overlooking the Clyde and is sure to be a hit with brides to be.

Outside, locals using the Brisbane for celebrations, hotel guests and wedding guests will all enjoy a larger terrace and a newly landscaped front garden - featuring wooden pergolas and lined with palm trees, all looking on to the Clyde.

Landscaper Keith Robertson said, “This was a another fantastic project to work in conjunction with our

E:

friends at the Manorview Group. I think the design brief and concept that came together has created a beautiful garden for people to get married in, with the back drop of the Clyde to finish it off.”

Susan Spence, Group Wedding & Events Manager at Manorview said, “We are so excited to finally unveil the upgrades to our existing couples, and those who come to view the venue. A great amount of detail and effort has gone into creating a space that works for every aspect of the day – from wedding prep to ceremony, drinks, meal and reception. Brisbane House is a fantastic choice for those looking for a waterside wedding, and we can’t wait to host special days here.”

The entire Brisbane House building has been upgraded throughout the renovations, unveiling a new look for the Largs hotel. David commented, “We can’t wait for guests from near and far to come and see the new space for themselves. We are proud to be a part of the Largs tourism landscape, and alongside our neighbouring businesses, remain committed to showcasing what a great place Largs is to both live in and visit.”

The team at Brisbane House enjoyed an extended rest or worked at another Manorview property during the renovations. The team are now back in the venue, and are looking for teammates too. Those interested can find out more about careers and job openings on the venue’s website.

Bringing the Best of Scottish Seas to Your Table

At the heart of David Lowrie Fish Merchants Ltd lies a profound dedication to Scotland’s rich seafood tradition, a commitment that has been nurtured and expanded over 30 years by the father, uncle and son team of David, Edward and Lewis Lowrie. With David and Edward’s unparalleled experience and Lewis’s innovative vision, they have propelled the family business to the forefront of the seafood industry, ensuring every piece of seafood we supply embodies the essence of Scottish heritage.

Our passion for seafood extends beyond the catch; it’s about building great partnerships with boats and buyers from around the coast and supplying some of the best restaurants and food establishments in the country. These efforts are driven by our dedication to quality, our deep-rooted family values, and our ambition to bring the finest Scottish seafood from tide to table.

In collaboration with Hotel Indigo in Dundee, we celebrate our shared commitment to exceptional dining experiences, offering guests a taste of luxury and tradition through our extensive selection of the highest quality seafood. This partnership, like our seafood, is chosen with care, ensuring that we continue to set the standard for excellence in the industry.

Info@lowriefish.co.uk

David Lowrie Fish Merchants , Unit 2a , Netherton Industrial Estate, St Monans KY10 2DW

Thomas Johnstone Ltd is a Specialist Fit-out Contractor with a well-earned reputation for Delivering Excellence.

Established in 1868, the company has grown to include extensive in-house capabilities, including Building, Manufactured Joinery, FF&E, Small Works, and Decorating.

TJL is delighted to have been the Main Contractor for the creation of the Hotel Indigo Dundee’s new Eighteen22 bar.

Specialist Fit-out Contractor with Support Divisions

T: 0141 812 7000 | E: enquiries@tjl.com

DUNDEE

EIGHTEEN22 HOTEL INDIGO

BY SUSAN YOUNG

Percor Capital, owners of Hotel Indigo and Staybridge Suites Dundee, have revealed their newly opened, state-of-the-art bar, Eighteen22 following a one-million-pound refurbishment. The refurbishment also showcases a stylish new look hotel lobby and additional guest parking.

The brand-new bar, Eighteen22 celebrates Hotel Indigo Dundee’s history, marking the date the building first opened as Dundee’s oldest, and at the time, the world’s largest linen mill.

Design touches from hotel design company Ica, nod to the building’s industrial past with bespoke jute wallpaper and artwork showcasing the building throughout the centuries.

The work was expertly carried out by main contractor Thomas Johnstone.

Jean-Pierre Permutt, Director at Percor Capital, said:, “We’ve enjoyed an incredible five years since opening Hotel Indigo and Staybridge Suites in Dundee and are now delighted to

unveil our £1 million investment to elevate our offering even further with the newly opened bar, Eighteen22. Eighteen22 showcases our commitment to offering guests a journey through Dundee’s rich culture and history, with every detail from the carefully curated drinks offering to the warm ambience designed to allow guests to experience local culture and spirit and our hotel’s incredible history and heritage.”

Manny Baber, General Manager at Cycas Hospitality managed, Hotel Indigo and Staybridge Suites Dundee said:, “I am thrilled to showcase our brand-new bar, Eighteen22 and welcome guests and locals to experience the space. We will be serving a rich mix of incredible local brands alongside international favourites plus homemade specials and house favourites to tuck into, all within a beautifully designed interior. Our walls are steeped in history with so many incredible stories to tell, so we are excited to welcome more people into the fold!”

Hervé B ernier returns to Dunkeld House Hotel

Dunkeld House Hotel has appointed Hervé Bernier as its new General Manager. This marks a welcome return for him to the hotel, where he spent a long period of his early career.

Hervé takes the helm from hospitality veteran Paul Leitch who has been acting as Interim General Manager at the hotel since it joined the Crerar Hotels collection in November 2023.

He joins from Hotel du Vin in St Andrews where he was General Manager for the past seven years, leading the hotel to some of the best results for profit and guest satisfaction.

Hervé has a rich history with Dunkeld House Hotel having worked there for a long period of his early career, starting as Chef

de Rang and working his way up to Deputy General Manager. He met his wife, Jacqueline at the Hotel, and they were also married at Dunkeld House Hotel, so the venue is very special to him.

Following his first stint at Dunkeld, Hervé has enjoyed a prosperous career in some of the country’s most prestigious roles and Crerar Hotels Group CEO Chris Wayne Wills - who also worked with him throughout his career - was thrilled to secure him back to Dunkeld House Hotel when the time was right.

Chris Wayne Wills, CEO of Crerar Hotels, said, “Having a team that is truly impassioned by hospitality, location and all that a venue has to offer is vital and Hervé has this in abundance for Dunkeld House Hotel, which makes him

RBH APPOINTS BEATRIZ ORTA AS OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

RBH Hospitality Management has appointed Beatriz Orta as Operations Director.

Beatriz rejoins RBH from her role as General Manager at the Canopy by Hilton London City, having held a previous General Manager position within the RBH portfolio for four years.

With her upper upscale experience, Beatriz is well-placed to be managing a division of high-end and upscale fullservice properties, alongside a variety of branded and independent hotels, including The Gantry London, Principal York, The Met Hotel Leeds and the newly opened AC Hotel by Marriott Glasgow.

Beatriz takes over from Louisa Green, who stepped into the role of Managing Director in January, following the departure of Susan Bland.

RBH CEO, David Hart, said, “Beatriz

is perfectly placed to take on this role, nurturing the relationships of key stakeholders and profitably driving turnover in the hotels to ensure they maintain a strong position in their competitive markets. Her luxury experience as well as her prior understanding of RBH’s culture and corporate objectives will provide a great foundation for her to excel in our team of Operations Directors.”

Beatriz said, “I’m thrilled to be back working with the dynamic RBH senior team and embrace the opportunity to build upon the company’s excellent reputation with owners, staff and the wider industry. I am looking forward to harnessing its strategic vision and taking our hotels to the next level of excellence in operational delivery and performance.”

perfect to take the reins.

“His passion and personal links to the hotel, along with his unrivalled experience in some of the best jobs in Scotland, will serve him well here and I am confident he will lead Dunkeld House Hotel to great success.”

Hervé says:, “I look forward to leading our exceptional team in elevating the guest experience, embracing the heritage of this iconic destination, and creating moments that resonate for a lifetime.”

Senior team appointments at Crerar

Crerar Hotels Group has created two new senior positions within its team welcoming a new People Director and Director of Learning and Development. Claire Johnston, who has decades of experience in the hospitality sector, has been appointed People Director delivering all aspects of a human resources remit, driving recruitment and bolstering employee relations.

Claire was was previously Regional Human Resources Manager with Cairn Hotel Group looking after a number of multi-branded properties in both Scotland and the North of England.

Laura Dunphy has taken on the role of Director of Learning and Development, a brand-new role within the company.

For the past three years, Laura has worked at the Cameron House as Head of Learning and Development, playing an instrumental part in the resort achieving a five-star status from the AA. In 2022, Laura achieved The Caterer Acorn Award which recognised the top 30 most talented hospitality leaders under the age of 30.

Laura will oversee and expand the Crerar Hotels Academy apprenticeship programmes, graduate management programme and redefine induction and training throughout all properties. .

The Torridon adds to leadership team

The Torridon has announced two key promotions into leadership roles at its five star resort.

Ross Aitchison has been promoted to take the helm as General Manager, after ten years at the resort heading up the operational team. With a background working within operational roles at Lucknam Park and Bath Priory Hotel, Ross moved back to the Scottish Highlands in 2013 and has been an integral part of the Torridon leadership team ever since.

Allan Paterson, the resort’s Marketing Manager, has also been promoted to Commercial Manager, becoming part of the wider Torridon Leadership Team. Allan has held several positions at The Torridon over the years, originally joining as a graduate trainee in marketing and returning in 2022 to take over the marketing function. His role will now also include marketing, revenue, sustainability, and business development and growth.

Dan Rose-Bristow, owner of The Torridon, said, “Allan and Ross are both extremely deserving of these promotions, and we are looking forward to moving into the next period of growth for our resort with a strong leadership team in place. This is an exciting time for The Torridon, cementing the resort as one of Britain’s leading retreats – both to visit and work.”

Head Chef, Steve Scott takes over as GM at Lamlash Bay Hotel

Lamlash Bay Hotel on the Isle of Arran, which featured on Channel 4’s Four in a Bed programme in 2022, has promoted Head Chef Steve Scott to the position of General Manager. This appointment comes following the recent acquisition of the hotel by new owners in January this year.

Steve Scott, with a decade-long tenure at Lamlash Bay Hotel, brings a wealth of experience and passion for excellence to his new role, he said, “After a decade in the kitchen at the Bay hotel, I am really excited to take on a new challenge. I am passionate about cooking and will continue to oversee the kitchen to ensure food quality is as high as it’s ever been. We have a great team, and we are all looking forward to welcoming our guests old and new for another great summer season on Arran.”

His appointment marks a strategic move to strengthen the management team from

the existing talent within the hotel coupled with a focus on nurturing local talent to create job opportunities and career progression for the entire team. It means that Steve’s promotion has created the opportunity for Wojciech Kozyra to step up into the Head Chef role, having worked alongside Steve & the bay team for many years.

New owner Stephanie Wade said, “We are delighted to announce Steve Scott’s promotion to General Manager. His experience, standards, and values embody true hospitality, and we are confident that under his leadership, Lamlash Bay Hotel will continue to thrive.

“We believe in training, supporting and empowering our team to ensure they always have varied responsibilities and career progression opportunities, whether that’s here at the Lamlash Bay Hotel, or in the future wherever their career takes them.”.