Abbey hotel in Bath leaves Best Western to become independent
The 60-bedroom Abbey hotel in Bath is to leaves the Best Western sales and marketing consortium to operate as an independent hotel.
The announcement follows on from the news that the owners of the hotel, Ian and Christa Taylor, have appointed Andrew Foulkes as general manager, to allow them to step back from the day-to-day operation of the business to focus on the continuing refurbishment of the property.
Comprised of three Georgian houses in the heart of the city centre, close to Bath Abbey, the hotel was bought in 2012 by the Taylors, who previously operated the award-winning Cotswold House and Noel Arms hotels in Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire.
They have since developed the business by undertaking an initial refurbishment and bringing in Chris Staines, who was previously at Foliage, the Mandarin Oriental, London, as executive chef to open the new Allium brasserie.
Now they hope Foulkes' background of working at the Bath Priory, Gidleigh Park and Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons will help to further boost business, which frequently runs at 100% occupancy.
Ian Taylor said: "We are looking forward to Andrew using his extensive experience in the luxury sector to drive forward the guest experience and operational quality of the Abbey hotel as we embrace the freedom of being an independent, privately owned property."
Work will start before the end of the year on an extensive refurbishment of all the bathrooms throughout the hotel, while Allium, the ArtBar and reception will be re-designed by Martin Hulbert early in 2015. The new look spaces will reflect the Taylor's intention to take the property to a new stylish and sophisticated level, which will reflect the improved service level and food and beverage offer.
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