Independent Hotel Show Awards shortlist announced

Posted in Events, News on 11 September, 2017

A committee of esteemed judges from the independent hotel sector has announced the shortlists for the Independent Hotel Show Awards – Independent Hotelier and Outstanding New Hotel, in association with Sky.

Bronwyn de Cholewa, Director at Sky Business, says: “We are thrilled to once again support the Independent Hotel Show Awards. At Sky we are committed to helping hotels create the best possible experiences for their guests with innovative solutions and services, and so we’re proud to be associated with these awards, which recognise the passion, creativity and innovation that independent hoteliers bring to the sector to ensure their guests have a perfect stay.

Independent Hotelier

The Independent Hotelier award is presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the independent hotel sector. An independently spirited pioneer, recognised for excellence, with a reputation for pushing boundaries and creating exceptional guest experiences. Above all, the winner is someone committed to the development of their team, the success of their establishment and the industry at large.

The shortlist:

Claire Randall

During eighteen years at Lucknam Park as General Manager and Managing Director, Claire has brought change, innovation and improved profitability without compromising her passion for service excellence, along with some great staff development success stories. Claire is a St Julian Scholar committee member, is on the board of Pride of Britain Hotels and a Master Innholder.

Neil & Zoe Kedward

Neil & Zoe run the Seren Collection, a unique collection of quality hotels and restaurants by the sea in South West Wales. Newcomers to the sector, their first venture was a derelict  Grove of Narbeth, purchased just 10 years ago.  A programme of investment has transformed the property so that it can stand shoulder to shoulder with many of the leading luxury country house hotels in the UK.

Justin & Charlotte Salisbury

Justin & Charlotte Salisbury founded Artist Residence in 2008 when they renovated a tired Brighton guesthouse with the help of local artists. The pair have since expanded to Cornwall, London and Oxfordshire, developing creative hubs to suit each location, appealing to locals and guests alike with their eclectic design and unique food and drink offerings. The fifth location is due to open in Bristol in 2018.

Nicholas Dickinson

Chewton Glen’s first ever trainee manager; then managing director of Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons. Nicholas developed ground-breaking Luxury Family Hotels, followed by Alias Hotels with business partner Nigel Chapman and successfully sold both groups in 2006. Since 2012 Nicholas has breathed new life into Congham Hall in Norfolk, acquired from the administrators von Essen.

David & Charlotte Reilly

David and Charlotte Reilly bought Yorebridge House in 2006, renovating the Victorian school buildings into a beautiful boutique hotel/restaurant. A standing start business, the buildings had never been used for hospitality. They achieved AA 5 star/3 rosette status on the first inspection, and have since won numerous awards including Visit England Small Hotel of the Year England 2016.

Paul Bayliss MBE

After a highly successful full career in HM Forces as a world class chef receiving an MBE for his services to people development, Paul’s career in hotels spans just 10 years and includes leading three of the most prestigious large hotels in the North. He chaired and grew Europe’s largest Hoteliers Association The MHA and is presently steering the newly independent Carden Park and a team of 450 towards being the best resort of its kind in the UK. Paul is a Cornell University Graduate, Fellow of ILM and Chartered Member of CIPD.

Last year’s winner of the Independent Hotelier award, Kate Levin, General Manager, The Capital, says: “It is so exciting to see the array of individuals and hotels nominated who have all worked tirelessly to provide truly exceptional guest experiences and innovation within the industry and I was hugely impressed with the calibre of nominees.”

Peter Hancock, Chief Executive, Pride of Britain Hotels says: “It is clear from the quality of the shortlisted nominees that, once again, the Independent Hotel Show is taking very seriously its responsibility to highlight exemplars who we can all look up to. In every case they are individuals with real day to day involvement in their businesses.”

Outstanding New Hotel

The Outstanding New Hotel award celebrates an independently spirited hotel, which, although having been in the industry for a relatively short time, has made a significant impact on the industry through its dynamism and innovation. The winner has demonstrated not only this, but also outstanding service and guest experiences, alongside a unique personality, style and culture.

The shortlist:

The Painswick

Acquired by The Calcot Collection in spring 2015, the former Cotswolds88 hotel was relaunched a year later as a 16-bedroom ‘restaurant with rooms’. Renamed as ‘The Painswick’ the impressive Palladian house now brings into play a refreshing sense of fun and spontaneity with its eclectic, colourful and punchy menus and interiors.

The Pig at Combe

The Pig at Combe, nestled in the Otter Valley near Honiton, Devon, opened in July 2016. Totally secluded, the mellow, honey-coloured Elizabethan gem is set in 3,500 acres of lush Devonshire countryside, yet easily accessible – being 1.5 miles from Honiton, just off the A30 in the village of Gittisham.

Foxhill Manor

Foxhill Manor is a private manor-house hotel in the Cotswolds, overlooking the village of Broadway. An intimate Grade-II listed country home refreshed and revitalised for the 21st century, Foxhill Manor is a new type of stay where everything revolves around you: all the character and charm of a boutique-hotel hideaway, served up with heartfelt personal service and an easy going at-home atmosphere.

No. 15 Great Pulteney

An elegant and vivacious new boutique townhouse hotel on the very grandest street in Bath, No. 15 Great Pulteney is a place where you can indulge in all the best things in life. You’ll discover secrets, curiosities and plenty to delight all your senses throughout.

King Street Townhouse

King Street Townhouse exudes laid back luxury with décor and facilities that provide a stylish yet home from home setting. Featuring Manchester’s only infinity spa pool, with views over the striking Manchester skyline, the 7th floor relaxation space offers a slice of tranquillity atop a bustling city.

Brocco on the Park

Brocco on the Park is an eight-bedroom boutique hotel and neighbourhood kitchen in Sheffield. Opened in November 2014 by Sheffield entrepreneur Tiina Carr, this Scandi-inspired haven and Good Hotel Guide City Hotel of the Year 2017 creates experiences for guests to sleep, eat and live well.

Tracy Lowy, Owner, The Laslett, winner of last year’s Outstanding New Hotel award comments: “The calibre of this year’s nominees goes to show that the market for independent boutique hotels is stronger than ever, with hoteliers recognising the need to provide outstanding service, a guest experience that goes above and beyond, and a unique style.”

The shortlist judging committee members are:

Kate Levin, General Manager, The Capital, Knightsbridge

Tom Bell, Editor of Alastair Sawdays British Hotels & Inns

Peter Hancock, Chief Executive, Pride of Britain Hotels

Charlotte Evans, Group Publishing Director, Condé Nast Johansens

Fiona Duncan, The Telegraph & Sunday Telegraph

Janet Harmer, Hotels Editors, The Caterer

Tracy Lowy, Owner, The Laslett

Andrew Oxley, Head of Hotel & Hospitality Services, AA Hotel & Hospitality Services

Adam Raphael, Editor, Good Hotel Guide

Bronwyn de Cholewa, Director of Hotels, Sky, the Independent Hotel Show Awards partner

David Noble, Director, James Hallam Hospitality & Leisure, Independent Hotel Show partner

The Independent Hotel Show invites you, the industry, to now vote for the final winners of these coveted awards. To do so, visit: www.independenthotelshow.co.uk/awards.

Award winners will be announced on the first day of the show, Tuesday 17th October.

The Independent Hotel Show returns to Olympia on 17 and 18 October 2017 for the sixth time, showcasing the finest of Britain’s independent, luxury and boutique hotel sector. The show will also host an extensive array of seminars, workshops and keynote sessions on its dedicated stages, and will provide great networking opportunities with industry experts.