Hotel Cateys are ‘one of the highest standards of recognition in our industry’, says winner Charlie Banks

A former Hotel Cateys winner has urged individuals and businesses to apply for this year’s Hotel Cateys, describing them as “one of the highest standards of recognition in our industry”.

Charlie Banks, rooms division manager at Red Carnation Hotels’ the Rubens at the Palace in London, spoke to The Caterer about winning Front of House Manager of the Year at the 2025 Hotel Cateys and the impact the accolade has had on his career.

He said: “Winning the Hotel Catey was an incredibly special moment, both personally and professionally. It reinforced the belief that attention to detail, genuine care for guests and investment in people truly make a difference.

“The Hotel Cateys represent one of the highest standards of recognition in our industry. To be recognised by such respected peers was both humbling and motivating.”

Enter the Hotel Cateys today

Banks was praised by the judges for his guest-focused approach and commercial success. Noted successes include increasing sleeper-to-diner conversion by 255 covers through a series of targeted initiatives. These included training front-of-house teams to promote the restaurant experience, as well as using pre-arrival communications to highlight dining options before guests checked in.

He was also noted for creating memorable, personalised experiences. Banks said one particularly memorable stay involved a returning couple celebrating a milestone anniversary.

“We learnt about their love of British history and significant moments from previous visits, so we curated a fully personalised experience,” he said. “That included a suite overlooking the Royal Mews, a bespoke historical itinerary, handwritten notes referencing their earlier stays and a surprise in-room set-up inspired by their wedding day.

“What made it impactful wasn’t just the individual elements, but the way everything connected to their personal story. Seeing their reaction, and knowing we had created something genuinely meaningful, was a powerful reminder of how influential thoughtful, tailored service can be.”

Eight months on from his win, Banks said the recognition had inspired him to continue embedding high standards across the operation by empowering colleagues to take ownership and investing in the next generation of hospitality leaders as he did with 2024 Acorn Award winner Tom Fraser.

Fraser, who is now at Dakota Manchester, won his award while front of house manager at the London Victoria-based hotel.

Encouraging others to enter this year’s Hotel Cateys, Banks said the application process itself is invaluable.

“My advice would be to enter because it challenges you to reflect,” he said. “The process encourages you to step back, evaluate your impact, and articulate what you do and why it matters.”

Enter the Hotel Cateys today

To find out more about the new categories and how to enter, visit the Hotel Cateys website. Nominations are now open, and we want to hear about the individuals, teams and businesses making an outstanding contribution to the UK hotel sector. The deadline for entries is 5pm on 12 August, so don’t delay.