Hotel News & Gossip

[DaveR]

Topic for all things Hotel related in the Three Towns area.

[DaveR]

I was interested to see a couple of articles about Llandudno's hotels in the NWWN last week.

The common thread, as I saw it, was how successful Hoteliers are the ones that go the extra mile to provide the experience for their visitors that they don't get at home.

Trevor Mitchell of Chatsworth House, Loretta & Bay Tree Hotels: “I have been in this business a long time and there’s no doubt that people’s expectations have changed, and hotel businesses have to move with the times and try to meet those expectations if they’re to be successful.”

“There is opportunity for hotel businesses to continue to thrive here, but people have to reinvest and give guests what they are looking for.

“It’s a very competitive market and sitting back and resting on our laurels isn’t an option. People’s expectations are high these days and they want to feel they are getting good value,” he added.

Carol-Lynn and Ian Robbins, of the Lauriston Court Hotel in Llandudno:
“We have been very successful, and the future looks good, but we have put a lot of time and effort into achieving that.

“No one in the hotel industry can afford to sit back and take money out of the business without reinvesting in upgrading.

“People’s requirements are higher than they used to be. They want to experience standards better than those they experience at home.

This is something I've always believed in - too often, hotels can be competent but uninspiring - it doesn't take that much extra effort to make them great. Attention to detail is the key. 

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[DaveR]

A shame to see this hotel closing, it occupies a great position in Llanrwst overlooking the river:

Eagles Hotel in Llanrwst closes

Mar 7 2013 by Samantha Castle, North Wales Weekly News

THE Eagles Hotel, Ancaster Square, Llanrwst closed its doors on Friday and was boarded up this week as the sale fell through.
The historic hotel, a main-stay in the market town with parts of the building dating from the 18th century, was owned for over 35 years by the Wainwright family. Owner Alan Wainwright said he was unable to discuss the reasons when asked about the closure earlier this week.

Customers in Llanrwst were horrified to see the 14 bedroomed hotel boarded up on Tuesday.

Defining characteristics of the hotel’s frontage, including the Italianate tower, date from the mid-Victorian era when tourism was a major growth industry in the Conwy Valley. The building is named after the three eagles displayed in the coat of arms of the Wynn family, the principal local landowner in the Tudor age.

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[hollins]

That is a shame.
It seems though, that even the highest rated places cannot escape. The Crown at Whitebrook also closed its doors this week.
I remember going there years ago in my working days and long before the Michelin star but it was good then also.

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[Bellringer]

The Wainwright family run/used to run, a hotel in Betws y Coed and one in Capel Curig also.

[DaveR]

That is a shame.
It seems though, that even the highest rated places cannot escape. The Crown at Whitebrook also closed its doors this week.
I remember going there years ago in my working days and long before the Michelin star but it was good then also.

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I think this quote 'a Michelin star can in some cases be a “kiss of death” for restaurants' in respect of the Crown at Whitebrook is very true. People can be deterred by both perceived cost and the 'fanciness' of the food. How they managed to lose £1.2m in just one year is beyond me though.

[hollins]

An accountant has left this comment below the article which explains that it was a cumulative loss.

 jenkers

7:47 PM on 6/3/2013

Sorry to be a boring accountant, but the figures in the piece by Brendan for the company's loss are cumulative, so the £1.23m loss at March 2012 is the loss since the company started. The cumulative loss at March 2011 was £1.19m which means that the company lost £40,000 in the one year to March 2012. There was a loss of £35,000 in the previous year to March 2011. Still a bloody shame, great place. Hope Chef Sommerin stays in Wales.

[DaveR]

That makes a lot more sense. A shame that the business couldn't have been brought into profit.

[DaveR]

The now closed and boarded up Eagles Hotel in Llanrwst:

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[DaveR]

Whilst in Llanrwst, I also noted that the Pen Y Bont pub was up for sale at £180k:

[DaveR]

The Royal Hotel in Church Walks has been placed in the hands of Administrators and has ceased trading.

[DaveR]

Administrators brought in at Llandudno hotel
Mar 28 2013

ADMINISTRATORS have been appointed to look after one of Llandudno’s best known hotels.

Corporate recovery specialists Begbies Traynor took on the family-run Royal Hotel on Church Walks on March 25 . The hotel has been closed while its future is considered.

John Kelly and Nigel Price of Begbies Traynor were appointed joint administrators to the Royal Hotel after it fell behind with loan payments and obligations to other creditors. Everyone who has booked accommodation at the hotel has been advised of the closure.

Mr Kelly said: “Like many hotels, The Royal has struggled during the longest recession period in living memory and has sought to survive by subscribing to a variety of ‘voucher schemes’.

“As a result, from an administration perspective it made sense to close the hotel as future residents using vouchers would not pay for their accommodation and as a result there would be no funds to cover the costs of trading.

“Everyone who has booked is being advised of the closure and anyone who has paid for vouchers should approach the voucher company they have used direct.”

[Michael]

I don't understand the word "vouchers" in this context, but do I guess correct that a lot of potential visitors have purchased discounted holidays at some time in the future at the Royal and have now got a piece of paper with doubtful value and no holiday? Also, gobsmaked about the Eagles in Llanrwst, I cannot believe it. The Pen y Bont which I know very,very well. No surprise here. Excellent pub with outstanding management managed to sell it in the nick of time, around four years ago, since then goodness knows how many owners, many of them terrible.

[DaveR]

I don't understand the word "vouchers" in this context, but do I guess correct that a lot of potential visitors have purchased discounted holidays at some time in the future at the Royal and have now got a piece of paper with doubtful value and no holiday? Also, gobsmaked about the Eagles in Llanrwst, I cannot believe it. The Pen y Bont which I know very,very well. No surprise here. Excellent pub with outstanding management managed to sell it in the nick of time, around four years ago, since then goodness knows how many owners, many of them terrible.

Struggling hotels often do a deal with websites such as 'KGB deals', whereby they undertake to offer a reduced price for bookings in return for the cashflow generated from the extra business. Kills the profit margins, of course. 

[Michael]

  Obviously hasn't worked with the Royal.
  However there may be other factors. I spotted a comment from someone, I'm not sure if it was on the forum or maybe Facebook. The gist was they were not surprised it has gone under and hinted at the management.
  My own experience, if it was run by the same people, which I dont know.
   I had a right up and down did dong battle back around 5/6 years ago with a lady in some position of authority from the Royal. It became so vocal during the middle of the day in Church Walks for all to hear and see, that I couldn't stop laughing. As did a man who was with this lady. Incase you wonder, it was all to do with parking, and my saying to myself --- but it must have been a fraction too loud and the lady must have had damn good hearing --- its not my fault if you cannot drive.
  But not good for any potential visitors hearing this.