Watergate Bay hotel recruits Sara Alexander as general manager

Sara Alexander is the new general manager of Watergate Bay hotel near Newquay, Cornwall.

She will oversee the hotel’s experienced leadership team, with a particular focus on Watergate’s three restaurants, outdoor experience and project delivery. Alexander will be closely working with the team on the ground and key stakeholders to ensure the hotel’s relaxed, personable ethos and guest experience is maintained.

She joins from a role as head of operations at Rick Stein Group, where she spent 10 years and held positions including operations manager and hotel manager.

Alexander also worked at Red Carnation Hotels between 2004 and 2014 as deputy general manager, overseeing revenue generation, cost control and service standards, along with direct management of multiple department heads.

Earlier career positions include front of house manager at the Rubens at the Palace hotel in London, reception manager at Hilton London Metropole hotel and receptionist at Alveston Manor hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Alexander said: “It’s wonderful to be part of the Watergate Bay team - it is an outstanding hospitality business that I have always admired. I look forward to using my experience to uphold the hotel’s brand and high service style for its guests but also to bring a fresh perspective and help the hotel to evolve to the next level.”

Alexander is the latest major appointment for Watergate Bay, following Simon Mahon’s arrival as chief operating officer last October and Chris Eden’s recruitment as executive head chef in September.

Executive director Will Ashworth told The Caterer: “One of the first things Simon did was to recruit Sara. Her joining us is a very big moment. We’re thrilled to bring her onboard and we’ve got a wonderful team to move the operational part of our business forwards.”

Mahon himself said of Alexander’s appointment: “Sara’s extensive senior leadership experience, knowledge of the market, expertise in food and beverage and her dedication to superb guest care will be a fantastic asset to us as we develop Watergate Bay’s operational capacity.”

Watergate Bay hotel had been without an official general manager since Mark Williams departed in 2023 after a 19-year stint. He returned to the group as opening general manager for nearby aparthotel complex SeaSpace between May and December last year, before heading to Another Place, the Machrie, on Islay as interim general manager from the beginning of this year.

Williams’ role was succeeded in part by Carl Rutherford, who became Watergate Bay’s hotel director for 18 months before joining West Court Retreat spa hotel in Berkshire as general manager in November 2024.

Look out for The Caterer’s exclusive interviews with Will Ashworth and Chris Eden in the coming weeks.

Image: Holly Donnelly