Grand Heritage Hotels, which claims 60% of its bookings are through agents, will have a portfolio of over 100 historic hotels next year following major expansion in the southwest of England and Europe.
The consortia has introduced around 15 new members over the last couple of months, bringing the total to around 91 properties – most of which are featured in its 2000 Global Directory launched at the World Travel Market earlier this month.
Operations director Daniel Simmons said:”This time next year we hope to have around 120 members in the UK, US and Europe.”
He emphasised that some additions would be located in areas such as southwest England as a disproportionate number are currently situated in the southeast.
“We are very concentrated in the southeast so it will be good to move into Devon and Cornwall,” said Simmons. “At present we have two in Somerset, one in Devon and one in Cornwall – three of which are new members. We are also looking to expand overseas as well.”
Indeed, the 2000 directory features a property in Estonia for the first time and joint managing director David Owen hinted Eastern Europe could be an area for expansion, as could France due to the ease of access for UK clients on weekend breaks using Eurostar.
Hotels interested in joining Grand Heritage must meet certain criteria. These include being of four to five-star standard, having historic significance and typically featuring a good restaurant due to increasing interest in food and wine.
Simmons added: “Another trend is that everyone wants leisure facilities, such as a pool or golf course, and new member Budock Vean in Cornwall has amazing golf facilities.”
The consortia is also expanding its range of themed packages which are bookable through agents and visible on their screens.
These include golfing breaks at hotels such as The Manor House Hotel, Castle Coombe in the Cotswolds; horse-riding breaks at the Spread Eagle, Midhurst, Sussex; malt whisky breaks at Culloden House, Inverness; and more recently badger-watching weekends staying at The Bear of Rodborough, Stroud.
In addition, demand for multi-stays at two or three member hotels is on the increase, according to Simmons.
For those wanting to hire a car, the company has forged an alliance with the Executive Club Car Rental Company to offer Grand Heritage clients a 10% discount.
Three years ago, the hotel operator introduced driving routes to its Web site – www.grandheritage.com
Although the initiative was primarily geared towards Americans wanting to visit some historic sights and stay at character properties, UK clients have also shown an interest.
Simmons said: “We have seen an increase in demand from the UK market. Although most people tend to use their own car, they love having an itinerary to follow.”
Four itineraries are featured on the Web site, with two more to be added for 2000.
“We are going to develop new routes as we continue to add new hotels and we can also tailor-make driving tours,” said Simmons. “Most people want to stay in two hotels and have around four days to one week to explore.”
He added that the most popular tours were from England to Scotland.
However, to incorporate new hotels in the southwest, Simmons suggests staying at Hunstrete House or the Manor House Hotel near Bath, driving on to Bridge House in Dorset and then to Coombe House near Exeter. Budock Vean in Cornwall can also be included in the trip.
While the choice and variety of packages continue to expand, the good news for clients is that rates for next year are stable. The average room price is £100-£150 per night and most of the rates in the new 2000 brochure remain unchanged.
Location: southern Cotswolds in the 14th-century village of Castle Coombe, a few miles south of junction 17 on the M4; 2hrs drive from London and 15mins from Bath.
Accommodation: 45 rooms in the main house, converted mews cottages and stables, and the 14th-century Archway cottage. All have TV, telephone and tea and coffee-making facilities. The main attractions are the character bathrooms. My bathroom resembled a wine cellar with brick walls.
Decor: each room is different but most feature open fireplaces, wooden panelling, large windows and a wide variety of antiques.
Bar/restaurant: one bar, plus lounge areas with open fireplaces, two elegant dining rooms with superb cuisine, including a wide range of fresh fish and wines. Prices for dinner – appetisers from £10, main course from £22, desserts £8.
Activities: 18-hole golf course next door with snooker and sauna in the clubhouse, tennis court, river trout-fishing, boules and croquet. Horse-riding, clay pigeon shooting, hot-air ballooning and archery can be arranged.
Weddings: two rooms licensed with dining facilities for 100 guests in the main house, 120 in adjacent golf club.
Conference and incentives: two well equipped air-conditioned meeting rooms, one with adjoining terrace. Just introduced video conferencing, plus ISDN lines and modem links to all bedrooms.
Rates: from £120-£380 per room per night. Packages for Christmas (four days from £795 per person) and the millennium (two days from £900 per person) still available. Special rates include a Sunday/Monday rate for two people from£170 per room per night from November to March including seasonal dinner menu, accommodation, breakfast and unlimited golf.
Service: superb, and friendly service. On arrival, we were met at the door by a butler who parked the car and whisked us through to the bar while our room was prepared.
Overall: would not hesitate to recommend this hotel to friends and clients looking for a relaxing country break, wedding venue or golfing holiday. Although some rooms are in need of refurbishment, this is currently underway to be completed by the end of next year.
For more details: part of the Exclusive Hotels and Golf Clubs group which includes Lainston House, Pennyhill Park and South Lodge Hotel.
Clients can view the property on the virtual-reality Internet site www.exclusivehotels.co.uk. For bookings contact Grand Heritage on 020-7244-6699.
United Kingdom
n HunstreteHouse, Pensford, Somerset.
n Budock Vean Golf & Country House Hotel, Cornwall.
n Coombe House, Crediton, Devon.
n Bridge House Hotel, Beaminster, Dorset.
n Crewe Hall, Cheshire.
n Culloden House, Inverness, Scotland.
n Howfield Manor, near Canterbury, Kent.
n Nailcote Hall, Berkswell, Warwickshire.
n Llyndir Hall, nr Wrexham, Wales.
Europe
n The Park Consul, St Petersbourg, Tallin, Estonia.
n The Park Consul, Berlin, Germany.
TABLE: Newcomer: additions to the southwest include Hunstrete House, near Bath