Edinburgh’s Tynecastle Park appoints first hotel manager

Derek Paterson has been named hotel manager of Edinburgh’s Tynecastle Park, the UK’s first club-owned and operated hotel located inside a football stadium.

It comes after Scottish Premiership football club, Heart of Midlothian, announced plans to launch the 25-bedroom hotel and events space within its Edinburgh stadium last month.

Paterson has over 24 years’ experience in the industry, having previously been hotel manager for Dakota hotels in Edinburgh.

He also worked in banqueting and food and beverage management at Edinburgh’s Carlton hotel and Westerwood hotel.

At Tynecastle Park, he will be responsible for all areas of the hotel, including the transition of the Skyline restaurant to a seven-day operation and the introduction of six new dedicated meeting and conference spaces.

He said: “I’m really excited to be taking on this new challenge as Hearts celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2024.

“Our in-house hospitality team will be wholly responsible for running the hotel. As the only hotel of its kind to be found anywhere in the UK, we’re confident of being able to offer a truly unique hotel experience in our iconic Tynecastle Park Stadium – the home of Heart of Midlothian Football Club.”

Graeme Pacitti, head of hospitality and catering operations at Tynecastle Park, added: “We’re delighted to welcome Derek to the team as our first hotel manager. He brings with him over 20 years of hospitality management experience, as well as the drive, enthusiasm and personality we’re looking for, so we’re confident he’s the right person for this exciting new role.”