Two Galway hotels have joined Ireland’s largest group of independent hotels.
Delphi Lodge, Connemara, and Raheen Woods Hotel, Athenry, have joined forces with Manor House Hotels of Ireland and Irish Country Hotels, bringing the combined number of member hotels up to 50.
With more than 2,500 hotel rooms, the Manor House Hotels of Ireland and Irish Country Hotels brands were both set up as member-owned non-profit organisations in 1986 to market small independent luxury and family-run properties overseas. In 2014, more than €1m will be invested in promoting the Manor House Hotels of Ireland and Irish Country Hotels brands and properties, as well as Ireland as a holiday destination, in key overseas markets, in addition to some €9m in capital projects across the portfolio.
Welcoming the hotels to the group, chairperson of Manor House Hotels of Ireland and Irish Country Hotels, Mary Fitzgerald, said each had undergone a rigorous membership application process to ensure they met the exacting standards of the portfolio.
“We warmly welcome Delphi Lodge and Raheen Woods Hotel to the group and know they both fit so well into our product offering,” said Mary Fitzgerald.
“As a group of independently-owned hotels which have joined together to represent each other’s interests at home and abroad, we have worked hard to build a reputation for excellence. Despite challenging trading conditions, all of our members have experienced growth over the past 12 months without having to reduce room rates or the standard of service provided. I strongly believe that this is down to our collaborative approach to sales and marketing and the good-standing of our two brands overseas.
“ We estimate that across the two brands, our 50 hotels will invest in the region of €9m during 2014 and create some 150 additional jobs, many of which will be in rural communities.”
Delphi Lodge general manager Michael Wade said it was the strength of the Manor House Hotels of Ireland brand that attracted him to apply for membership. “There are so many benefits to being part of a wider offering, not least the access to additional sales representation and being part of international marketing campaigns. I also like the idea of guests who know little about us as an individual property having confidence of us because we are part of portfolio of hotels they are already familiar with so know that we will offer a particular standard of service and experience,” said Michael Wade.
The Raheen Woods Hotel, Athenry, joins the Irish Country Hotels portfolio, members of which are all ‘Guaranteed Irish’.
Manager and owner Lester McNamara said the attraction of being part of the Irish Country Hotels brand made perfect sense for hotels such as the Raheen Woods.
“ We know how to deliver an excellent product, but need support when it comes to marketing ourselves overseas. The ability to collaborate with 21 other hotels within the brand portfolio offers us countless opportunities to build our own business and to attract guests we might not otherwise be able to engage with.”
