Today’s news in brief – 16/11/23
Yotel plans to launch its Yotelpad aparthotel brand in Europe with a new property in Stratford, London, scheduled for 2024. The aparthotel will feature 62 rooms with versatile live, work, and sleep areas, complete with bathrooms and kitchenettes. Additional amenities include the Mission Control check-in area, Grab and Go snack station, and retail space. Bookings will be available for stays ranging from one night to monthly, starting at £119. Yotelpad Stratford will be the brand’s seventh property in the UK, part of a larger expansion that includes openings in Geneva, Tokyo, and Bangkok in 2024. Currently, Yotel operates 14 city centre hotels across the United States, Asia, and the UK.
Travelodge has achieved a construction milestone at its new hotel development in Abbey Wood Retail Park, Bristol. The 85-room Bristol Abbey Wood Travelodge, scheduled to open in 2024, marks the group’s seventh hotel in Bristol. Positioned near the Bristol Ministry of Defence offices, the hotel is strategically located with easy access to major highways. The development follows Travelodge’s premium design and will include The Bar Cafe, offering breakfast, dinner, and a bar menu. Bristol is a focal point for Travelodge’s growth, with plans for four additional hotel sites, representing a significant investment and job creation opportunity.
Mallory Court Hotel and Spa in Leamington has appointed Keiron Stevens as its new executive head chef. Stevens, formerly head chef at Whatley Manor Hotel and Spa, brings an impressive culinary background, having maintained a Michelin star at Adams in Birmingham. He succeeds the retired Simon Haigh, overseeing the culinary offerings at the hotel’s flagship 3 AA Rosette restaurant, The Dining Room, and the Orchard House Café. Stevens plans to revamp menus with a focus on seasonal and local produce, utilising the hotel’s own kitchen gardens. Mallory Court Country House Hotel and Spa is set within 10 acres of grounds and is owned by The Eden Hotel Collection.
The Stirling Highland Hotel, part of the Cairn Hotel group, has introduced Project Search, an internship programme in collaboration with Forth Valley College, Stirling Council, and other employability organisations. Seven interns are participating in three rotations across various hotel departments, gaining skills in customer service, technical proficiency, and other competencies. The Project Search initiative aims to equip young individuals with both employability skills and essential life competencies. The nine-month programme provides real-life context for interns to thrive, fostering confidence and independence. The goal is for participants to gain practical hotel industry experience and a solid foundation for sustained employment. The hotel management expresses enthusiasm for contributing to the development of young adults as they enter the workforce.
