Market Marvels 2024 celebrates professionals pushing the boundaries of traditional hospitality with new concepts, ideas and initiatives which break away from the norm
ABOUT THE SPONSOR
Silentnight Contract is thrilled to once again sponsor the Market Marvels category of the Boutique Hotelier Power List 2024. This category celebrates the visionaries and trailblazers who are reimagining the hospitality experience through groundbreaking concepts and ideas.
As a company dedicated to delivering exceptional sleep solutions built on innovation, quality, and sustainability, we are proud to recognise those pushing the boundaries of traditional hospitality. We look forward to honouring the pioneers who are elevating guest experiences and setting new standards for the industry.
Learn more at www.silentnight.co.uk/hospitality
Market Marvels 2024
Simon Drake, general manager, The Store Oxford
Simon Drake heads up one of the most exciting new hotel launches of the last 12 months, The Store in Oxford. Transforming a former department store in the heart of the city, European hospitality group, EQ Group spearheaded the redevelopment, in partnership with Reef Group and Oxford City Council.
The ‘game changing’ new concept comprises 100 bedrooms spread across two interconnected buildings, designed with velvet headboards, panelled walls and bold art deco features, while F&B facilities include the ‘unexpectedly British’ Treadwell restaurant and The Rooftop.
Simon comes from a strong pedigree of industry experiences at the likes of The Other House and The Mandrake in London and he now has ambitions to take The Store brand nationwide. With his infectious creative flair, heart for his people and genuine love of hospitality, it’s guaranteed to be a success.
Chris Eigelaar, resort director, The Belfry Hotel & Resort
An £80m expansion project commenced at The Belfry earlier this year, with resort director Chris Eigelaar at the helm. In response to growing demand for large events in the luxury venue market, the hotel is to embark on its biggest development yet, with the creation of a new flagship 852 sqm event space, due for completion in autumn 2025.
The new Suite will be able to host 648 guests for banqueting, with a max capacity of 920. Also part of the project will be 149 new bedrooms in an adjoining building, a new leisure club and an extensive gym and multi-purpose sports area.
Alongside the development, Chris puts the emphasis on his team, leading the way with upskilling, training and fostering growth pathways for employees, ensuring that they drive the success of the expansion project.
Simon Maguire, co-founder, Rockingham Partners
After Simon Maguire’s tenure as managing director of Luxury Family Hotels, he co-founded Rockingham Partners with Michael Lashmar in 2022. The group has already partnered with New Forest Collection, and more partnerships are on the horizon. Maguire also collaborates with Miiro Hotels, supporting their forthcoming openings in Paris, Barcelona, and London, focusing on people, culture, and L&D strategy.
Passionate about helping hospitality teams reach their full potential, Simon’s keynote talk on goal-setting has resonated with teams at Iconic Hotels, Exclusive Collection, Village Hotels, Firmdale, and others.
A keen believer in human performance, he organised the recent Fit for Hospitality event, which saw participants complete 5k and 10k challenges, raising funds for Hospitality Action, Room to Reward and Springboard.
Lukasz Dwornik, managing director, The Nici Group
Lukasz Dwornik’s appointment as managing director of The Nici Group in January this year is a testament to his nearly two decades of experience in the hospitality industry. This strategic move signals the group’s ambitious plans for growth and its commitment to delivering an exceptional guest experience.
Lukasz’s former role at Harbour Hotels, where he headed up two flagship properties, including the renowned Southampton Harbour Hotel & Spa, exemplifies his expertise in establishing and maintaining the highest standards of luxury service.
With his wealth of knowledge and proven track record, Lukasz is poised to propel The Nici Group to new heights, redefining the benchmark for five-star hospitality experiences.
Mike Baxter, co-founder, House of Gods
Following the success of House of Gods Edinburgh, which was swiftly named ‘Best Hotel in Scotland’ by The Sunday Times following its 2019 launch, co-founder Mike Baxter is moving forward with his plan to make the brand a household name.
House of Gods Glasgow launched in May, selling over 2,000 room nights before opening its doors and proving there is demand for this distinct brand of hospitality, which Mike
describes as “old world luxury mixed with neon and Drake”.
There are more to come too, with a third House of Gods site in Manchester already under construction.
Andrew Long, owner, Loxley Collection
Businessman Andrew Long helped transform motorway services in the UK across a 30 year period, but has now turned his attention to boutique hotels, snapping up three properties in two years.
The jewel in Loxley Collection’s crown is The White Hart in Lincoln, where Andrew is creating a miniature hospitality empire. Under his guidance, the hotel has completed a major six-month refurbishment and introduced three new F&B concepts.
Andrew has also acquired the nearby Judge’s Lodgings and plans to redevelop the site to create new ‘apartment-style’ rooms and a restaurant and licensed cafe bar, together with a retail arcade.
Harry Cragoe, owner, The Gallivant Hotels
Fruit smoothie entrepreneur turned hotelier Harry is on a mission to “bring glamour back to the British seaside” with the opening of The Gallivant brand’s second site in Littlestone Beach, Kent.
When the hotel opens later this year, it will aim to reinvent the guest experience by creating the feel of a private beach house, with residents able to dine across the ground-floor’s communal spaces – which include a library and orangery – instead of within a traditional restaurant.
There will be no TVs in bedrooms either, while guests will be called downstairs by a gong to enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail.
Peter Osborne, managing director, Heritage Rocks
Seckford Hall is the sole hotel in the Heritage Rocks portfolio (the other two sites are exclusive use wedding venues) and Peter Osborne was brought on board last year to lead the team, taking over from a management company.
He has since worked hard to rebuild Seckford’s image in the local area and has ploughed investment into the property, including the launch of a new Nordic-style spa garden, complete with two outdoor hot tubs and one outdoor sauna, as well as a firepit, sun loungers and a shaded pergola.
Upgrades to bedrooms and the introduction of treehouses are also part of his long-term plan.
Judi Blakeburn, chief commercial officer, Watergate Bay Hotel and Another Place
Ever since the team behind Watergate Bay launched Another Place, The Lakes in 2017, expansion has been front of mind for Judi Blakeburn. In April, she helped relaunch The Brackenrigg Inn – located on a hill just behind the hotel – after the first phase of a three-year transformation.
Another Place has also purchased The Machrie hotel in Scotland, where Judi and team plan to bring lifestyle hospitality to the golf market, through offering the likes of boat trips, bike trails and conversations by the fire pit. We have no doubt that there will be further openings in the future for the Another Place concept – watch this space.
Sarah Reeves, finance and creative director, The Tawny
As creative director of The Tawny, Sarah Reeves has been a key figure in creating the ‘deconstructed’ hotel’s look, which juxtaposes bold colours, original artworks and statement furniture against the wild meadows and untamed woodlands of the estate.
Knowing that wellness and sustainability are at the core of The Tawny’s ethos, Sarah has designed the bedrooms to be a transient feature of the wider estate, which showcase the natural beauty of the valley the hotel inhabits.
Away from her desk, Sarah is a keen cyclist and took on the challenge of cycling from Land’s End to John O’Groats last month, raising money for charity in the process.
