HB chats to Steve Collins, sales manager of the newly refurbished old Ramada Golf and Country Club
Tell me the story of the hotel
In 2010 the Hallmark Hotel Group purchased the old Ramada Golf and Country Club on Robinswood Hill and the hotel went through a £3.5m refurbishment.
The hotel now offers 95 newly refurbished spacious bedrooms. Guests are welcome to indulge in a glass of fine wine and delicious food in the informal brasserie and take full advantage of the hotel’s free leisure facilities when staying, free parking and WiFi are also included for both residential and non-residential guests.
The hotel has a selection of seven meeting rooms that are well equipped with a high standard of technology – from the HDMI equipped executive boardroom to our new Merlot suite, with space for more than 200 delegates.
What challenges have you faced since opening?
Since reopening in 2011 we have been re-establishing our product into the local area. Our main challenge is very much building the reputation back up to that of its heyday. The hotel was once a community driven success back 10 to around 15 years ago and Hallmark intend to re-establish this hidden gem.
Where are you spending the majority of your budget?
There are lots of elements to the hotel, from corporate to leisure business which requires multiple advertising avenues and having the spa and health club which also requires other avenues of advertising. Currently our spend is being taken via third party agents, buying into hotel programs which will provide us with exposure to the corporate market.
What are your future plans?
The hotel is very much set to grow back into the local market via lots of community advertising and our biggest plan is to keep growing our corporate business.
What did you want to be when you were younger?
A ‘pop star’! Yes it’s true; I always enjoyed singing and really thought that one day I would be a professional singer. I hasten to add, sadly when my voice broke this could no longer be the case.
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Driven, professional and fun
If you weren’t a hotelier what would you be doing?
I’ll keep the thought that I might become that ‘pop star’.
Average room rate: £77
Average food spend per head: £25
Average weekly occupancy: 75 per cent
Staff members: 40
Hotel Business has an ABC certified circulation of 7,756 (audit period 1st July 2014 – 30th June 2015)