Homewood Hotel & Spa has appointed Robert Fairbairn to the role of food and beverage manager as it prepares for a £3m expansion.
Robert, pictured, joins Homewood from the Manor House Hotel & Golf Club in Castle Combe and the Royal Berkshire Hotel, Ascot, where he progressed through the ranks from graduate manager to senior outlets manager.
In his new role at Homewood, pictured, he will be responsible for managing all aspects of food and beverage outlets, including alfresco dining on the Olio Terrace, Olio Restaurant no-dig kitchen and garden, dining domes, private dining spaces, breakfast services and the bar and cocktail offering.
The luxury hotel in Freshford has 21 bedrooms along with a 10-bedroom lodge that opened in 2019 – a year after being acquired by Bath boutique hotel group the Kaleidoscope Collection.
Robert, who began his career at Novotel hotel group and has since gained more than 10 years’ experience at the forefront of luxury hospitality, said: “I am ecstatic to be joining the Homewood family.
“I visited the property a few times prior to starting my new position and had that perfect welcome every time before anyone even knew me.
“I have a passion for Mediterranean cuisine, sharing platters and local produce which made Olio Restaurant and Terrace the ideal location.”
He said he hoped to increase the number of local suppliers working with the hotel.
“When it comes to both food and beverage, I believe that local is best and I am looking forward to getting started in trying out what Somerset has to offer,” he added.
“I also want to focus on the learning and development of my team since I believe that people are an important part of our industry and it is vital that the correct training is in place for individuals to flourish.
“I hope to create and develop a program with Kaleidoscope Collection to make it easier for those with a passion for hospitality to find their potential.
“Family is the key word in the way I work; I believe that any leader should be there to show, guide and support their people’s development, and be there to listen to and try out new ideas.”
Homewood secured planning consent in June for its expansion. Drawn up by Bath-based Aaron Evans Architects, it will include six new luxury guest suites each with their own private terraces and a small meeting and events space.
There will also be extensions to the existing spa, including a new entrance foyer, an additional double treatment room, fitness suite and post-treatment relaxation space.
As part of the masterplan, new landscape planting and additional parking will be also provided.
Homewood is in the Bath and Bristol Green Belt and Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and so to secure planning consent Aaron Evans Architects’ design needed to satisfy stringent Green Belt policies while overcoming significant ecology and visual impact constraints.
The Kaleidoscope Collection also owns the 31-bedroom The Bird, Bath, on Pulteney Road, and Bishopstrow Hotel & Spa, a 19th-century, 32-bedroom country house hotel near Warminster.
