Today’s news in brief – 8/2/24
The Lamlash Bay Hotel, located in Lamlash on the Isle of Arran, Scotland, has been sold for an undisclosed sum. The 11-bedroom hotel, which offers stunning views of the bay and the Holy Isle, features a restaurant and a pet-friendly bar and lounge. Previous owners Serge and Margaret El Adm, who fulfilled a lifelong dream by owning and operating the hotel, plan to take time off before their next venture. The hotel was sold to a private, first-time buyer with experience in hospitality. Simon Watson, the business agent at Christie and Co, facilitated the sale.
UKHospitality has welcomed proposals from the government and energy regulator Ofgem to expand access to the Energy Ombudsman and Ofgem’s Complaints Handling Standards. However, the hospitality body insists that these protections should apply to all businesses, not just those meeting the “Small Business Consumer” criteria. CEO Kate Nicholls urges Ofgem and the government to revise the measures to include all businesses or at least those falling under the broader definition of SMEs.
Hilton reported a profit before tax of $1.69bn (£1.34bn) for the full year ended December 31, 2023, down slightly from the previous year. Despite this, full-year revenues increased, and the company’s system-wide comparable RevPAR saw growth. Hilton approved new room developments and added a record number of rooms to its system in the fourth quarter. The company projects an increase in system-wide RevPAR and provides estimates for net income and adjusted EBITDA for the full year 2024.
Clare Winskill has been appointed as the new chair of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC), bringing extensive experience in Scottish tourism and hospitality. Winskill, owner of Coruisk House Michelin Guide Restaurant and Hotel, aims to support the self-catering community and drive positive change in the industry. ASSC CEO Fiona Campbell expresses confidence in Winskill’s leadership to navigate evolving landscapes and ensure continued success for the association.
