Jake McHugh appointed general manager at Grand Central Hotel Belfast

Jake McHugh has been named general manager at Grand Central Hotel Belfast, part of Hastings Hotels group.

McHugh has over 20 years’ experience in hospitality, having worked in roles such as head concierge at Hyatt Carlton Tower London, front office manager at Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, director of rooms at Thailand Hyatt Regency Hua Hin and Andaz Seoul Gangnam Korea.

He was also previously general manager at Hyatt House Niseko in Japan and Hyatt Place West London.

Prior to embarking on his career in the industry, he completed a two-year apprenticeship at a London hotel and a four-year hospitality degree at the University of Westminster.

James McGinn, managing director at Hastings Hotels, said: “With a wealth of experience in the hospitality industry and a deep understanding of luxury service, he is the perfect fit to lead our flagship property into its next chapter.”

McHugh added: “My vision is to elevate our food and beverage offering with innovative menus, a chef’s table experience, and a greater focus on local ingredients. We’ll also introduce more live music to create a vibrant atmosphere and expand our concierge service with bespoke itineraries showcasing Belfast’s best. I look forward to leading the team in delivering exceptional experiences for our guests.”

The Grand Central Hotel is part of Hastings Hotels’ six-strong portfolio and was launched in 2018, dating back to 1893.

The property received an investment of £53m and is believed to have welcomed guests such as Winston Churchill, the King of Belgium, Al Jolson, Mario Lanza and the Beatles.

It is home to the Seahorse restaurant, which The Caterer paid a visit to in April 2024.