Dunkeld House Hotel appoints new general manager

Dunkeld House Hotel has appointed renowned hotelier Hervé Bernier as its general manager marking a welcome return for him to the hotel, where he spent a long period of his early career. Dunkeld House in Perthshire is a 100-bed four-star, luxury, country house hotel on the banks of the River Tay. It is the eighth hotel in Crerar Hotels collection which also includes the Isle of Mull Hotel and Spa, Oban Bay Hotel, Balmoral Arms in Ballater, Glencoe Inn, Thainstone House in Inverurie, Loch Fyne Hotel & Spa in Inveraray and Golf View Hotel and Spa in Nairn. Bernier takes the helm from hospitality veteran Paul Leitch who has been acting as interim general manager at the hotel since it joined the Crerar Hotels collection in November 2023. He joins the group from Hotel du Vin in St Andrews where he was general manager for the past seven years, leading the hotel to some of the “best results for profit and guest satisfaction”. Bernier has a “rich” history with Dunkeld House Hotel having worked there for a long period of his early career, starting as chef de rang and working his way up to deputy general manager. He met his wife, Jacqueline at the hotel, and they were also married at Dunkeld House Hotel. The hotel which recently had a major £800k refurbishment, creating three new guest rooms and renovating the flagship suites, plans to add eight high-end woodland lodges in the Woodland Dell, expand the leisure and spa facilities and the current restaurant and create a new food and beverage offering. Chris Wayne Wills, CEO of Crerar Hotels, said: “Having a team that is truly impassioned by hospitality, location and all that a venue has to offer is vital and Hervé has this in abundance for Dunkeld House Hotel, which makes him perfect to take the reins. “His passion and personal links to the hotel, along with his unrivalled experience in some of the best jobs in Scotland, will serve him well here and I am confident he will lead Dunkeld House Hotel to great success.” Bernier added: “As I embark on this journey at Dunkeld House Hotel, I am excited to showcase the rich history and natural beauty that surrounds us. I look forward to leading our exceptional team in elevating the guest experience, embracing the heritage of this iconic destination, and creating moments that resonate for a lifetime.”