EDINBURGH,
Scotland, February 17, 2012 - Macdonald Hotels & Resorts,
the UK's largest privately owned hotel operator with over forty 4 and 5
star hotels throughout the UK and Spain, has further increased its
market presence by signing a management contract with the owner of
Donnington Grove Country Club in Newbury, Berkshire.
The agreement gives Macdonald Hotels & Resorts management control
of the prestigious 18th century, 32 bedroom hotel, renowned for the
quality of its conference, championship golf, fishing and clay pigeon
facilities.
The owners, Sandtrend Ltd, retain the management of the pro shop, golf
and estate pursuits.
Offering guests spectacular views from the hotel, the River Lambourn
runs through 550 acres of the picturesque estate comprised of woodland
and mature parkland.
The current staff will be retained in the deal that means Macdonald
Hotels & Resorts now manage the country club hotel on behalf of the
current owners.
The terms of the agreement will also see the Donnington Grove Country
Club retain its own brand identity while Macdonald Hotels & Resorts
will steadily implement its hotel-wide operational practices, controls
and quality standards.
Referring to the arrangement, Chris Gillett, Managing Director,
Macdonald Hotels Management Services Ltd, commented: "Macdonald Hotels
& Resorts is very pleased to have agreed a management contract with
this wonderful Hotel & Country Club.
"This agreement will further strengthen our portfolio along the M4
corridor and appeal to our discerning business, leisure and conference
guests who seek the reassurance and quality of product and service
offered by Macdonald Hotels & Resorts.
"Nigel Green, the general manager of the Donnington Grove Country Club
and a former employee of Macdonald Hotels is familiar with our high
professional standards. As a company we now look forward to supporting
Nigel and his staff in further developing the potential of this
beautifully appointed country house hotel."
The Gothic styled house dates back to 1763. Overlooked by Donnington
Castle, the original mansion house was built by James Pettit - Andrews.
Following its sale to William Brummell in 1783, the house was
transformed into a country estate.
The property was requisitioned in 1940 for Allied Supplies Ltd. In the
1990's, Dave Thomas, one of Britain's foremost golf architects was
tasked with creating a golf course in keeping with the listed landscape
gardens. The construction of the course started in November 1991 and on
the 12 June 1993 the Donnington Grove Country Club opened. Sandtrend
Ltd purchased the estate in 2004.
About Macdonald Hotels:
First established in 1990 by Donald Macdonald and colleagues Macdonald
Hotels & Resorts operates over 40 hotels across the UK, including Oxford
hotels, hotels in Manchester,
Bath
hotels, Windsor
hotels, and Edinburgh
hotels. The company also operates ten resorts throughout the UK and
Spain and employs over 4,400 staff and operates in excess of 4,500
hotel rooms. Its focus is on developing its strong portfolio of four
and five star hotels, with each offering its own character and
individuality underpinned with the quality and attention to detail
expected of the Macdonald brand. In particular, the company prides
itself on the seasonality and provenance of its food within the hotels,
from breakfast through to dinner, as well as its wide range of
specially selected wines. As testament to the excellent level of
service the Group provides, it has on numerous occasions won several
prestigious accolades, most notably the AA Hotel Group of the Year
2007-08 and the National Customer Service Awards for Leisure and
Tourism.