Hotel chain Best Western Finland CEO Hannah Tiitola will join Best Western Great Britain in January. Tiitola joins as director of distribution, revenue sales & marketing.
She was previously responsible for the territory of Finland, Russia and the Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania).
In other people news: Mark Smith has been appointed director of travel trade and leisure sales. Smith was previously in the same role at Swallow Hotels.
Helen Parker has joined as director of national accounts. Parker was previously Thistle Hotels area director of sales for Scotland, Ireland and Northern England.
In property news: the Shaftesbury Kensington Hotel in London has joined the Best Western portfolio. The property holds the group”s ”Premier” status; the sixth hotel to do so.
To achieve Premier status, Best Western”s (BW) new tier of outstanding hotels, it is essential for the hotel to meet rigorous standards in terms of its facilities, design, quality of service and food. For Premier status alone the hotel was required to provide 27 additional amenities and services over and above those required for core Best Western membership, including concierge service, complimentary newspapers, and 24-hour fax / photocopy facilities.
The three star West Grange Hotel near Thatcham in Berkshire, UK has joined the BW portfolio, as has the three star Hotel Gleneagles in Torquay. (Incidentally, this was the inspiration for the TV series Fawlty Towers, but the group is quick to stress excellent customer service is a priority).
In December, BW will re-open the three star Glasgow Pond Hotel (in Glasgow). The hotel is currently undergoing a major renovation and will cater well to business travellers. Conference suites and meeting rooms are available and bookings are being taken now for January.