Manager steps into role at new St. Albans hotel

1 April 2016

Experienced hotelier Will Glenn moves into the role following two years as general manager at Holiday Inn Express Cheltenham, and will be tasked with overseeing the launch of the St Albans hotel, as well as ensuring its ongoing success.

The new hotel within the London Colney Fields Shopping Park, which will feature 86 bedrooms and meeting facilities as well as a bar and restaurant for guests, represents a £10million investment.

The UK’s leading independent hotel management company, Redefine BDL Hotels, will take full responsibility for the venue’s operations when it opens its doors this spring.

Will, who has spent his career in hospitality with Redefine BDL Hotels, worked his way from night porter to general manager in just five years. As something of a Holiday Inn Express stalwart, he has held roles in the brand’s Dunstable, Folkestone and Antrim properties and takes great pride in its reputation for great service and friendly personality.

His swift rise through the ranks has given him an unrivalled understanding of hotel operations.

A deputy general manager is being sought before a full recruitment drive kicks off, with the aim of finding various team members to undertake the mix of full and part time positions being created across front of house, housekeeping, waiting and maintenance departments.

The St Albans hotel has been designed around the recently launched Holiday Inn Express Generation 4 – or Next Generation – concept, which has been developed in conjunction with industry experts in order to meet the needs of today’s ‘smart travellers’.

Each en-suite bedroom will be adaptable to suit either business or leisure guests, with a choice of pillows; a comfortable bed with a noise-reducing headboard; a Smart television enabling visitors to stream their own media; and moveable work desk. Multiple bedside USB ports will ensure guests can stay connected.

Visitors will also be able to enjoy a new Express Café & Bar offering simple, honest food done well, with Express Start breakfasts that can be enjoyed in-hotel or ‘to go’ included in each stay.

Will Glenn, General Manager of Holiday Inn Express St Albans, said: “The new hotel is shaping up nicely and will be an exciting new offering for the area.

“The location – just 15 minutes from St Albans city centre and close to the M1 and M25 – is perfect for leisure or business guests looking for a warm, friendly welcome and a comfortable stay whilst visiting St Albans. The fact that the entire hotel has been designed in line with the new Holiday Inn Express Generation 4 concept means we can offer guests exactly what they need to make the most of their stay.

“This is the start of a wonderful journey and my first task will, of course, be to find the team that will offer our guests the fantastic service everyone expects from Holiday Inn Express, and I look forward to the recruitment drive getting under way in the coming weeks.”

Steven Foster, Divisional Director at Redefine|BDL Hotels, said: “It’s a landmark moment for Redefine|BDL Hotels as we welcome the first of a number of new hotels to the UK-wide portfolio this year.

“It’s also a proud moment as we see one of our own high-flying employees take the next steps in his career, and create a number of new jobs within the local area. We look forward to seeing Will and his team make the hotel a resounding success.”