Menzies Hotels undergoes major brand revamp
The revamp includes £2.2m being pumped into Menzies’ flagship property, the Welcombe hotel, spa & golf club in Stratford-upon-Avon (pictured); and a £1.1m investment into its two Bournemouth properties, the Menzies Carlton and East Cliff Court.
"Menzies Hotels aims to be one of the UK's leading hotel brands, offering an experience that is so consistently good, relaxing and friendly that it feels like home,” said Menzies Hotels’ chairman Niall Geoghegan. “’'You're in a good place' is a really important phrase in delivering this and will sit right at the heart of everything we stand for and in every communication with guests, no matter how big or small."
The group has also undertaken a new brand identity, with the ethos ‘you’re in a good place’ and the introduction of a new-look logo, signage, new brochures and a refreshed website. Menzies Hotels underwent a mangement buyout just over a year agowhen its parent company - Piccadilly Hotels - fell into administration.
Hilton's Caledonian rebrand
Meanwhile, Hilton Worldwide has completed its re-launch of the Caledonian Hilton hotel in Edinburgh, which is now open as the Caledonian, a Waldorf Astoria hotel, after the completion a £24m renovation project. It has become the second Waldorf Astoria property in the UK, alongside the London Syon Park hotel.
Simon Vincent, president, Europe, Hilton Worldwide, said: “Edinburgh is a truly international city and we are delighted to have the opportunity to showcase Waldorf Astoria at a hotel with over 100 years of tradition in Scottish hospitality.
"I would like to congratulate everyone involved in delivering this new luxury vision for the Caledonian, which I am sure will quickly be established as a leading luxury hotel in Scotland and our European portfolio."
The 241-bedroom hotel, which has a view over Edinburgh Castle, is now home to two new restaurants overseen by Chris and Jeff Galvin- the Pompadour by Galvin and Galvin Brasserie de Luxe. The Pompadour by Galvin is a French restaurant headed up by Craig Sandle, who joined from the Number One restaurant at the Balmoral hotel; while Galvin Brasserie de Luxe pays homage to the grand urban bistros of Paris and Lyon.
The property also now features eight meeting rooms including the Scottish Heritage-listed Castle Suite, and the Peacock Alley, which will be a public space for afternoon tea and cocktails. A boutique Guerlain Spa is also set to open at the hotel in November.
