Stephen Carter heads refurbishment of Royal York hotel as new GM

27 October 2015 by Janet Harmer

Former Hotelier of the Year Stephen Carter is overseeing the multi-million pound refurbishment of the four-AA-star, 158-bedroom Royal York hotel in York as the property's new general manager.

Carter left his previous role as managing director of Cameron House hotel and resort on Loch Lomond in April, five months after the hotel - previously owned by the De Vere Group - was sold to Sankaty Advisors and Canyon Capital and merged into QHotels.

Carter, who joined Cameron House part-way through a £50m refurbishment and expansion of the resort, is now fulfilling a similar role at the Royal York, which is one of 10 properties that will form part of a new urban, lifestyle brand being created by the Starwood Capital Group at a cost of more than £100m. Starwood Capital bought the hotel in February 2013 as part of its acquisition of the principal Hayley Group.

He said that the renovation, together with new links with local businesses, suppliers and cultural partners, will help to put the hotel "back on the map".

"We are investing millions of pounds in the Royal York hotel to restore it to its original glory whilst creating new restaurant and bar concepts that we believe will appeal equally to hotel guests and people who have made York their home."

Carter was named Hotelier of the Year in 2011, having been awarded an OBE for services to the hospitality industry in 2007.

Dating back to 1878 as one of the UK's original railway hotels, the Grade-II-listed-Royal York celebrated the opening of the new Chapter House bar and games room yesterday. The bar has been developed by chef-restaurateur Des McDonald, who is also creating the Refectory Kitchen & Terrace, which will open on 12 November.

The Yorkshire inspired menu at the Chapter House will serve the likes of black pudding sausage roll with HP Sauce, Fountains Gold toastie with Branston, and Bridlington scampi with tartare sauce. The wood-panelled games room features a half-size pool table, chess board tables, cards and board games.

On a day-to-day basis, executive chef Nick Evans, who has joined the hotel from nearby Middlethorpe Hall, will oversee the new food and beverage outlets that will include the Garden Room all-day dining space.

Work is also ongoing on the refurbishment of the lobby and bedrooms, which will see addition of new suites taking the room count from 167 down to 159.

Des McDonald launches restaurants with new hotel brand from Starwood >>

Stephen Carter named 2011 Hotelier of the Year >>

Stephen Carter to step down as managing director of Cameron House >>

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