Nettleton Collection hotels launch scheme to reallocate cancelled bookings 

Two Nettleton Collection sites are offering staff from hotels in Tier 3 and 4 the chance to enjoy a hotel break by offering a free stay in return for reallocated bookings.

Boringdon Hall in Devon and Fistral Beach in Newquay, which are in Tier 2 and Tier 1, respectively, are proposing that hotels which have had to close and cancel bookings instead reallocate bookings to them, offering an alternative option for guests.

For every reallocated booking, the hotels have pledged to offer a staff member at one of the closed hotels a free bed and breakfast stay in return. 

The closed hotel will then be able to offer the stay to specific staff members as a reward or in recognition of their work throughout the pandemic. 

The sites added that the reallocations can only apply to those who are currently in a Tier 1 or 2 area and travelling as one household, but who had booked a stay at a hotel that has now moved into Tier 3 or 4. Those living in these Tiers are unable to be reallocated.

Both sites are looking to offer the cancellation initiative across the 23 -27 December, as well as the 30 to 1 January. With availability across all of these dates, any reallocated booking from another hotel will qualify for a free night’s stay. 

Emily Andov, from the Nettleton Collection, said: “The hospitality industry is facing tremendous difficulties at the current time, with hoteliers and others awaiting the latest government pronouncements with dread. A change in tier status can lead to mass cancellations, disappointed guests and crestfallen staff who are concerned by what the future holds.

“We’re aiming to, one, offer an alternative option to help ease guests’ disappointment and, two, add an extra layer of positivity by trying to give staff who have been suffering under the stresses and strains of the last few months the opportunity to enjoy a much-needed break.”

She added: “Ideally, we would love this to become a widespread initiative. We’re hoping that other hotels will follow suit and offer similar proposals, to help make this a national endeavour, thereby creating a much-needed morale booster for the industry.

“If there’s one thing we’ve learnt in recent times, it’s that pulling together in the face of adversity is essential. We really hope that other hotels get behind us with this endeavour, as we look to offer the prospect of a little joy to hotel staff during what’s set to be a very difficult festive period for many.”

Samantha Williams, UK market owner at Profitroom, which is supporting the hotels in their initiative, said: “Boringdon Hall and Fistral Beach’s suggestion is a wonderful idea, which seeks to put a positive spin on a very difficult time. 

“Offering struggling staff an opportunity to get away and enjoy themselves in recognition of their loyalty and hard work throughout the pandemic allows hotels to present a gesture of thanks and appreciation, at no cost to themselves. Our system offers a seamless way of doing this, and we’re happy to accommodate other hotels who are keen to join the scheme.”