Mike Wood Speech

Good evening all and Thank you again for being here to celebrate this special occasion with us.

 

Tonight is a celebration of 25 years of business of HHH and is a credit to the vision and investment of Mandy & Henry in 1990.The success to date is a very worthy credit to the energy, commitment, business acumen, honesty and gut feelings of Mandy & I am sure that as staff, suppliers and friends you will all concur with these qualities which keep us all motivated to ensure the success of the hotel. 

 

I am very proud to be standing here saying a few words and firstly owe thanks to all of the staff and suppliers who have continued to support the business from the very beginning and currently working with me now to make it what it is today.

 

Mandy has given a brief history of HHH and I wish to elaborate a little on the future of the business going forward into the next 25 years.

 

I wish to share a story of when I first met Mandy aka “Sybil” as we are now referred to personally aswell as by colleagues I’m sure as “Basil & Sybil”!....I was asked by my previous employer to conduct a show around of our facilities and met 2 very elegant ladies at reception being Mandy & Doreen. After being informed by Mandy that she was building a spa at a hotel in Sittingbourne I thought “oh I better not tell them too much” Doreen was very complimentary on the standard of the brassware and Mandy requested a cup of tea but to be served in a Mug”! I subsequently ended up being invited to HHH for dinner with my wife & asked to choose a bottle of red wine for dinner from the wine list!.. I now know this was probably a rather important interview question following Mandy’s fondness to red wine!

 

It was early 2008 when I first set foot as an employee and every TV news program was full of recession and doom…We were at the start of a very big and influential project for the hotel in completing and opening AquaManda & full restructure and branding of the business from new territory for HH to a new logo!. It was a tough decision to ensure that we would make it a success and to price it right for customers was make or break…would they come or would they not? We believed in keeping prices competitive for membership, spa breaks and treatments opposed to discounting and de-valuing the product we now had, we believed in creating an affordable luxury and to this day remain just that with AquaManda (Informed this week a top 4 Finalist  for “Spa of the year” in Kent to be awarded in June!) in our top 3 income streams alongside accommodation which we have increased upto 34 guest bedrooms with a very busy corporate trade during the week and our spa breaks becoming ever more popular, Our F&B department operates a rosette in our Lakes restaurant and we strive to increase this accolade along with presenting simple quality local dishes with high class service from our very experienced staff. We have 67 weddings booked for this year and believe this is due to recommendations and being able to offer a complete package.

 

We have had to adapt to using the internet to its full capacity in 1990, TripAdvisor in 2000 and in 2020 the foresight for guests to have a smart phone issued at check in with a credit system and to even check in online and set your air con and choose your selection of TV and settle your bill online! Don’t worry Housekeeping and Reception your jobs are all safe!

 

We will always look to re-invest in HHH with the plans on paper relatively comprehensive but not confirmed for an expansion of AquaManda, Brasserie, Bedroom Refurbishments, Staff  & maybe some new pots n pans for the chefs! 

 

These are just some of the ideas that Sybil emails me about from the French Alps on a regular basis but is a clear reflection of her motivation & energy to make things better that enthuses us all to work hard and generates the reason for such high staff retention & to keep offering such genuine customer service in a Non-stop constant business.

 

 

We believe in keeping the traditional family values of hospitality with modern facilities and service. It is wonderful to see the family support of Daniel, Hannah, Laura & Little Mandy Grace who have supported Mandy throughout and thoroughly enjoy having them all here working at Christmas time!

 

I am personally looking forward to a very positive and continued success of Hempstead House Hotel together with all of you here. How does this sound… In 25 years I will be 60 and it will be 50 years of Hempstead House Hotel  and Mandy will be 85!! 

 

I now hand you over to a Denzil our head gardener who has requested to Say a quick few words!

 

Thank you Denzil for your inspiration from those lonely days out in the gardens! Please do now enjoy your evening with Frostie and our very exciting band SF-6!

 

TO THE NEXT 25 YEARS!