Group Hotel of the Year
Nomination form](http://www.processrequest.com/quickstart/survey.asp?e=XbcahejcCF-RaA&oid=UcgifCB" target="_blank)
Last year's winner of the Group Hotel of the Year Catey epitomised what this award is all about - the improvement and development of an already successful product.
Robin Hutson and Gerard Basset's Hotel du Vin & Bistro chain had already established two successful properties in Winchester, Hampshire, and Tunbridge Wells, Kent, but the judges singled out their third hotel in Bristol for recognition because it demonstrated that the pair were moving the product on while maintaining core values.
The 40-bedroom property, which opened in November 2000, differs from its older, perhaps more traditional, siblings in that it offers a more cutting-edge design suited to the city and its corporate customer base. The hotel is housed in a converted sugar refinery which gave Hutson, who dubs the property "a mark three", scope to create loft-style bedrooms with open-plan bathrooms as well as experimenting with rough hessian fabrics, steel and brick.
As one of the judges, Ken McCulloch, said at the time: "The founders are still there, and although the product has evolved they have stuck to their original values. They have understood their target market well and have crafted a proposition that works on all levels."
Not only do the judges look for consistency of product when awarding this Catey, however, they also look for success. They were particularly impressed, for instance, with the fact that the hotel's 100-seat bistro had succeeded in attracting the Bristol dining market - one that traditionally is regarded as difficult to conquer because of the competition.
For Hutson and Basset, the best part about winning the Catey was that it gave their staff a boost. "It was recognition for the staff, who had effectively put in seven years of hard work and it also marked a coming of age since we had won the Newcomer of the Year Catey… it was a grown-up prize," says Hutson.
The qualities that he would look for in a successor to Hotel du Vin, Bristol, would be staff who are passionate about meeting the customer's needs and a hotel that offers value for money at whatever price-point. "I would look for a depth of substance, not just a glossy marketing pitch," says Hutson.
Certainly the winner of the Group Hotel of the Year Catey does not have to be a particular star rating, it simply has to be the best in its class. Previous winners of the title have been as diverse as the Travel Inn at County Hall, London, which is aimed at the budget traveller, and top London hotels the Berkeley and Savoy, both part of the Blackstone Group.
If you would like to nominate a property for the 2002 award, please fill in the nomination form on page 36 of this brochure, along with a supporting statement of up to 200 words to help the judges in their deliberations. The closing date for nominations is 22 February, and judging will take place on 8 May at Cliveden, Taplow, Berkshire.
Judges' criteria
The Group Hotel of the Year category is open to any group hotel of any size, and at any market level, that demonstrates:
- Excellence in its chosen market.
- Consistency of product and service.
- Success as a business.
- Particular achievements in the past year.
2001 Winner:
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| Fresh RM Hotelympia director Claire Finch with Robin Hutson and Gerard Basset from the Group Hotel of the Year, Hotel Du Vin Bristol |
Previous Winners:
- 2000 The Berkeley Hotel, London
- 1999 Travel Inn, County Hall, London
- 1998 The Savoy, London
- 1997 Malmaison, Edinburgh
Sponsored by: P&G Professional
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