Savoy F&B director appointed GM of Monkey Island Estate

Former F&B director of the Savoy in London Lee Kelly has joined YTL Hotels' Monkey Island Estate as general manager.

Set to reopen following a major refubishment in the spring, the 30-bedroom luxury hotel and private cottages in Bray, Berkshire will be the fifth UK property for Malaysian hotel company YTL. The group acquired the property in 2016 for an undisclosed sum.

Kelly began his career working for Anton Mosimann's Party Service and spent 12 years working for Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts.

He said: "I have been surprised to learn how so many people I have met know of Monkey Island, and people are so excited to hear that it is finally being brought back to its former glory. It feels incredible to be part of a project like this."

Monkey Island has been the haunt of monarchs, aristocrats, writers and artists during its 800-year history. Its name stems from the monks that lived on the island until the 16th century, and it became known for the monkey paintings added to the pavilion while under the ownership of the 3rd Duke of Marlborough in the 18th century. The estate has operated as a hotel since 1840.

YTL Hotels’ UK portfolio includes the 2017 AA Hotel of the Year, the Gainsborough Bath Spa; the Academy in London’s Bloomsbury, which is due to reopen in April following refubishment; the Threadneedles hotel in the City of London; and the Glasshouse hotel in Edinburgh. The company also has hotels in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, China, Japan, Australia and France.

Monkey Island Estate to open spring 2018 >>

YTL expands UK portfolio with three hotel acquisitions >>

YTL acquires London Threadneedles hotel for around £40m >>

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