Minute on the Clock – Rachel Seed

28 October 2010
Minute on the Clock – Rachel Seed

Created by Rachel Seed, 37, the Hotel Exchange aims to provide busy operators of independent hotels, bed and breakfasts, and pubs with rooms with the opportunity to take a well-earned break - for free. It works in the same way as house-swap programmes, but is available only to those who own a hospitality business.

Caterer How did you come up with the idea for the Hotel Exchange?

Rachel Seed I was running the Somerset Arms, near Frome, Wiltshire, and like so many independent operators in this industry, I was working ridiculously long hours - 16 hours a day, seven days a week. I was exhausted and desperately needed to get away. Chatting to some friends who ran a boutique B&B in Devon and were in the same boat as me, I realised there were probably hundreds of people in the same position. We did an initial swap - and both had a fantastic time - and as a result the Hotel Exchange began to take shape.

Caterer Who are your members?

RS We currently have around 120 members in 22 countries. Around 15 new members, each paying a fee of £79, are joining us each week. We have some wonderful properties including a castle in Cumbria, a Michelin-starred pub with rooms and a yoga retreat in Goa.

Caterer How does the Hotel Exchange work?

RS We simply act as an introductory service and don't get involved in the actual booking - that is done between members.

Caterer What are the benefits?

RS As well as the obvious one of providing a well-earned break, for no cost, for owners, it is also being used for staff incentives. And, unexpectedly, we have found that it has become a very useful means of support between members.

Caterer Where can people find you?

RSwww.the-hotel-exchange.com

The Caterer Breakfast Briefing Email

Start the working day with The Caterer’s free breakfast briefing email

Sign Up and manage your preferences below

Check mark icon
Thank you

You have successfully signed up for the Caterer Breakfast Briefing Email and will hear from us soon!

Jacobs Media is honoured to be the recipient of the 2020 Queen's Award for Enterprise.

The highest official awards for UK businesses since being established by royal warrant in 1965. Read more.

close

Ad Blocker detected

We have noticed you are using an adblocker and – although we support freedom of choice – we would like to ask you to enable ads on our site. They are an important revenue source which supports free access of our website's content, especially during the COVID-19 crisis.

trade tracker pixel tracking