Today’s news in brief – 2/10/24
London Hilton on Park Lane has appointed Julian Catzeflis as its new director of food and drink, venues, and partnerships. With a background managing top London venues like Nobu, Roka, and Zuma, Catzeflis brings nearly 20 years of experience. His role will involve overseeing the hotel’s growing dining offerings, which include the newly launched Mr Porter steakhouse, the forthcoming Shanghai Me on the 28th floor, the British-style Park Corner Brasserie, and the Revery Bar. Catzeflis expressed excitement about joining the iconic hotel as it evolves into a leading culinary destination in Mayfair.
Village Hotel Club has announced an investment plan to upgrade over 50% of its hotel portfolio. The investment includes refurbishing nearly 600 rooms by 2025 and upgrading leisure facilities, such as gyms, Reformer Pilates studios, and outdoor fitness spaces. The plan also extends to new acquisitions and portfolio expansions, with construction soon starting on two locations in Manchester and Solihull. The appointment of Robin Leahy as director of M&A marks a significant step in the company’s ambitious growth, as he leads efforts to develop the portfolio further.
Hyatt has completed the acquisition of Standard International, which owns The Standard and Bunkhouse Hotels brands. This acquisition strengthens Hyatt’s lifestyle portfolio, which has grown significantly since 2017. The addition of 22 open hotels and over 30 future projects, including The Standard in Singapore and Bangkok, enhances Hyatt’s global presence. CEO Mark Hoplamazian highlighted the synergy between Standard’s unique ethos and Hyatt’s global network, positioning the company for future growth while emphasising their successful transformation into an asset-light business model.
Hotel Football, owned by former footballers Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs, reported a loss of £601,030 for the year ending December 2023, despite a 22% rise in turnover to £7.8m. The hotel, located near Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium, saw increased revenue from both accommodation and food and beverage. However, rising interest rates contributed to higher debt costs, negatively impacting profitability. Despite the loss, directors noted that 2023 saw the hotel’s best financial performance since opening in 2015, signalling a successful post-pandemic recovery.
