Whatley Manor GM departs suddenly

Gurval Durand has stepped down suddenly from his role as general manager of the five-red-AA-star, 23-bedroom Whatley Manor Hotel and Spa near Malmesbury, Wiltshire.

The hotel confirmed that Durand had left the role to which he was appointed in January 2014, replacing Peter Egli, who moved back to his native to Switzerland to manage the Suvretta House hotel in St Moritz. A replacement general manager is yet to be appointed.

Prior to joining Whatley Manor, Durand held the position of deputy general manager at Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons for nearly nine years, having originally joined the hotel in 1999, initially as senior manager before later being promoted to restaurant manager.

Originally from France, Durand trained in several Relais & Châteaux hotels, including L'Hostellerie de Levernois in Beaune. Whatley Manor and Le Manoir are also members of the Relais & Châteaux consortium.

Set within 12 acres of gardens, Whatley Manor is owned by Christian Landolt and his mother Alix. It boasts a two-Michelin-star restaurant overseen by Martin Burge, as well as the informal brasserie Le Mazot, the Aquarias Spa, and a 40-seat cinema.

Christian and Alix Landolt said: "Gurval Durand has left Whatley Manor for personal reasons and we are currently recruiting for a new general manager. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Gurval for all his hard work over the last two years and to wish him all the very best for the future."

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