The Lakes by YOO appoints GM

The Lakes by YOO has expanded its leadership team with the appointment of a new general manager, Andrew Cook. Cook will assume the newly created role ahead of the launch of a new collection of waterside cabins and apartments. 

The Lakes by YOO welcomes Cook from his most recent position as general manager at Chewton Glen in Hampshire, where he had been the hotel’s general manager for the last four years. 

His “extensive” hospitality experience has included over 15 years in managerial roles at Belmond, formerly Orient-Express, at The Westcliff Hotel and The Mount Nelson Hotel in South Africa alongside British Pullman – Venice Simplon Orient-Express. 

He has also held positions with Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain Resort, Manama; Turnberry Hotel and Golf Resort in Scotland as well as the then Royal Abjar Hotel, in Dubai. According to the group, Cook brings a “strong commercial mindset and thrives on taking properties to new levels of excellence and success”. 

Cook said: “I am delighted to join The Lakes by YOO at an exciting time as we further develop the estate and launch a new collection of cabins and apartments, offering a new level of sustainable luxury. We have a pipeline of exciting projects planned over the coming years and I look forward to welcoming guests and working with the incredible team that we have on-site.”

The new luxury cabins and apartments have been designed by YOO Studio, founded by international property entrepreneur John Hitchcox and designer Philippe Starck. Available for shorter bookings, guests can opt for three-night stays, making it an “ideal luxury weekend break from London”. 

With sustainable touches throughout, including the use of natural and local materials such as Cotswold stone and locally woven willow, the aesthetic of these new spaces is said to blend with its rural surroundings.