Whatley Manor to close for refurbishment as Niall Keating oversees kitchen design

Whatley Manor has announced plans to temporarily close its kitchens after Christmas to carry out a full refurbishment.

The hotel, in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, will close during the refurbishment, which is scheduled for 6 January to 13 February 2019, but the spa will remain open.

At the same time the property's 23 bedrooms and suites will be refreshed, with new solid wood floors in each and re-upholstered and/or new furnishings.

Executive chef Niall Keating has overseen the kitchen design, which will include modular units, ensuring a more efficient and effective working environment.

The kitchen will include a bespoke Athanor stove featuring four induction hobs, two plancha cook plates, an integrated water boiler and a ‘quick therm' salamander grill, as well as a Rational Vario Cooking Centre.

The kitchen will no longer use gas appliances, helping to make energy cost savings and to reduce the hotel's carbon footprint.

Keating said: "I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved over the past two years since I joined Whatley Manor. Refitting the kitchen is a crucial part of developing our food outlets, increasing efficiency and creating a more memorable guest experience."

Sue Williams, general manager and 2017 Hotelier of the Year, added: "It is timely that we have this opportunity to completely renew Whatley Manor's kitchens, as they are the hard-working hub of the house.

"The owners recognise that Niall and his team have great skills and passion, and feel that it is imperative to support and motivate them with the latest equipment to develop the hotel's food offering. Since this work on the kitchens requires the hotel to close for a period of time, it is the perfect opportunity to carry out light refurbishments on the bedrooms."

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