Bespoke Hotels takes over Oxford Hotels and Inns portfolio
The hotels will join Bespoke’s existing sub-brands Beloved, a collection of four-star deluxe hotels, and Befriend, the three-star value-for-money options. It takes Bespoke’s collection to 85 hotels in the UK and 97 worldwide.
Haydn Fentum, Bespoke Hotels’ chief executive: “From beautiful country pubs and inns to luxury hotels and character properties throughout England and Scotland, each has its own story to tell and we will build on their individuality to deliver great value for money and service for our guests.”
Flagship hotels that will join the group include the Carnoustie Golf Hotel and Elemis Spa, host to The Open Championship 2007 and The Women’s British Open 2011; and The Lugger Hotel in Port Loe, Cornwall.
Another notable addition is the Craigellachie Hotel with its AA rosette restaurant and Quaich Bar, boasting 700 different Single Malt Scotch Whiskies in the heart of Speyside, Scotland.
Combining strengths
Oxford Hotels & Inns’ managing director Mark Edwards said: "By combining our strengths, we’ll have an unrivalled collection of unique hotels and inns across the UK. There are already a lot of synergies across the two hotel groups; both have an eclectic mix of properties all of which thrive on having their own bespoke style and individual character.”
Since its conception in 2000, Bespoke Hotels has grown primarily through management of hotels, resulting in a collection of 97 hotels across the UK, Europe, Far East and the Caribbean.
Chairman Robin Sheppard, who founded the brand, said: “This expansion of our portfolio comes at a very exciting time and we look forward earnestly to working with the many talented staff who are very busy preparing for the festive season at each of their hotels.”
The news comes on the same day that Bespoke hotels has strengthened its board with two new senior level appointments, each bringing extensive experience from the hospitality industry.
New appointments
The group’s current operations Manager Graham Marskell has been promoted to group operations director and board member, while Duncan Poole has been appointed to the board as non-executive director.
Marskell brings 30 years of hotel experience to the company, having held management positions in Town and Country Houses such as Inverlochy Castle, Ettington Park, Bath Priory and The Feathers at Woodstock.
Poole is a Director at The William Pears Group and leads the group’s investment activity within the hospitality sector. He was previously head of hotels for West Register, the real estate work-out vehicle of The Royal Bank of Scotland.
Bespoke’s chief executive Fentum added: “We are delighted to announce the appointment of Graham Marskell and Duncan Poole. They both bring years of invaluable experience in the hotel and hospitality industry with them and we are looking forward to working with them for many years to come.
Earlier this year, the hotel management company launched a sales and marketing serviceaimed at independent hotels which allows them to take advantage of help in those areas without having to adopt different branding or make big changes to the way in which they operate.
