Today’s news in brief – 2/4/25
Martin Carabott has been appointed as the new executive chef at Gravetye Manor in West Sussex, starting in April. Originally from Malta, Carabott won the Roux Scholarship in 2018 while working at Hide in London and later trained at Eleven Madison Park in New York. He was previously head of development at Luca in London. At Gravetye Manor, he will collaborate with head gardener Tom Coward to create seasonal dishes using ingredients grown on the estate. He replaces George Blogg, who left in December 2024. Carabott expressed excitement about joining the esteemed hotel, while general manager Paul Skinner highlighted his extensive experience and commitment to fine dining.
The Hoxton, Edinburgh, is set to open in June 2025 in Haymarket. The hotel consists of 11 Georgian townhouses, redesigned by AIME Studios, with 214 rooms spanning nine categories, including Snug Single, Bunk, Cosy, Roomy, and Biggy. A new “House” category will introduce three self-contained, three-bedroom homes. The hotel will also feature a cinema, ballroom, The Apartment meeting space, and the all-day Italian restaurant Patatino. The Hoxton, part of a global chain of open-house hotels, has expanded across the UK, Europe, and North America since its first opening in Shoreditch in 2006.
The Inveraray Inn Ltd, which operates the historic George Hotel in Inveraray, has entered administration in an effort to protect up to 60 jobs. The 24-room boutique hotel, situated on Loch Fyne, has won numerous awards, including an AA Rosette. Begbies Traynor administrators, Kenneth Craig and Kevin Mapstone, are overseeing operations while searching for a buyer. Despite financial struggles due to historic debts, the hotel continues to trade, honoring bookings and seeking community support. The Clark family, who have owned the hotel for seven generations, prioritized securing the future of its employees. Administrators are confident that the hotel’s strong reputation and prime location will attract a buyer.
Global travel technology company OYO has reported a 15% increase in UK revenue for 2024 compared to 2023. While the broader market saw a decline, OYO’s Average Daily Rate rose by 2%, and per-room revenue increased by 4%. The Summer Bank Holiday Weekend in August was the most booked period, with July being the busiest month overall. CEO Gautam Swaroop credited the company’s AI-driven pricing strategies for its success. OYO, which operates over 200 budget hotels across 65 UK cities, plans to expand its premium self-operated hotels, adding 40 new properties in key cities like London, Manchester, and Glasgow.
