Welcome to
Omar Meziane, Head Chef at BB. Omar has come to Beales Hotels from Intercontinental Hotels, after spells working with Michael Caines and John Burton-Race. His home is in Aylesbury and his claim to fame is that Adam Faith is his 2nd cousin! Welcome Omar, everyone is delighted to have you on board at BB.
Sharon Blackgrove moves from BH to a similar role as C&B Co-ordinator at WLP.
Congratulations to…
…Val Campbell on her distinction grade for the Southgate College course in Desktop Publishing. Val is in charge of all things web-related at Beales Hotels
…Beryl Hobdell on reaching five years service at WLP – pictured right receiving her certificate from Andrew and Tony.
,,,Theresa Power (Reception BB) seen right on her wedding day at BB with husband Steve and all the BB team.
…Callum Kennedy and the team at BH who have now equalled the AA rating at WLP, both hotels now sharing a Four Star 77% rating.
…WLP retains 2 rosettes for fine cuisine, and BH is yet to receive a rosette. Sadly our position as the two highest rated Four star hotels in Hertfordshire has just been pipped by the Marriott at Waltham Abbey with a Four Star 78% rating, but we are ahead of rivals Sopwell House, Down Hall, Pendley Manor and Ponsbourne Park. Our goal at both BH and WLP is to put clear water between us and the four star competition and will continue to work on delivering excellent customer care and great food to achieve this aim.
…Congratulations to Dave Seward and the BB team who have seen an increase in Best Western Sales for the first six months of 2006 from £106’098 in Jan-Jun 05 to £240,518 in Jan-Jun 06 – a true success story.
…Right is a picture of Tony King starting off the latest work of art at BB “Back on track and reaching our goals”. This work of art is now proudly mounted on the wall next to Reception at BB
Marketing News
Brochure updates being worked on at present included BH Together/Celebrate/Meeting of Minds, and WLP inserts for Weddings/Celebrate/Business naturally.
Website www.bealeshotels.co.uk now has a full history of the Beale family from the 15th Century, written by Trevor Beale, and an abbreviated history of West Lodge Park as well as the detailed version.
WLP and BH have both gone live on the worldwide GDS system via HotelRez, following the cessation of our agreement with Pegasus/Utell as a result of the collapse of Distinguished Hotels. A key feature of the new system is that guests can book online through our own website and take advantage of special rates that are also offered on HotelRez, meaning a partial move towards a best rate guarantee through our own site.
Beales Hotels has become a member of the Hotel Booking Agents Association (HBAA), giving good access into the key bookers across the UK.
Peter Dyer (photographer) has taken stunning images of the new Buckland Suite at BH including this photo of a car launch within the room.
The company staff party is being held in the Buckland Suite on 23rd July in order to show it off to teams from all the hotels!
And finally…
…the youngest students we have had on work experience spent a day at WLP and BH – Ashley Beale and Bryn Edwards spent time with the C&B porters and in the Cedar Restaurant at WLP, and assembling brochure packs at BH, but the best thing by far was taking pot shots at a flower pot with Grant Cook’s air rifle! Welcome to the world of work boys, Estates Department-style.
Andrew Beale
Managing Director
