An historic Teignmouth hotel which specialises in holidays for people with sight loss is today celebrating after its future as a much loved seaside hotel is finally secured.
Starboard Hotels has taken over ownership of the 47 bedroomed Cliffden Hotel from the charity Guide Dogs after it was brought to the market last year by GVA under the Vision Hotels brand with an asking price of £1.35m
The team at the Cliffden Hotel is today welcoming its new owners, Starboard Hotels, a leading family owned hotel business, one of the UK’s most well respected and fastest growing independent hotel owner/operators.
The Cliffden Hotel, the last remaining hotel in Teignouth, nestles in seven acres of spectacular gardens and has been a popular holiday and weekend break destination for thousands of visually impaired people, guide dog owners and tourists.
In recent month’s there had been speculation over the hotel’s future. Now London based Starboard Hotels has stepped in to purchase the property just months after the company made an earlier acquisition from Vision Hotels of the Windermere Manor hotel in the Lake District, again from Guide Dogs late last year.
The Cliffden will now become an important part of the Starboard Hotels portfolio which includes 19 multi branded hotels located across the UK, under leading brands including Holiday Inn Express, Best Western, Days Inn and Ibis as well as the own-brand Windermere Manor.
Paul Callingham, Managing Director of Starboard Hotels said the company is “delighted” that their bid to buy The Cliffden for an undisclosed sum has been successful, adding that this now marks an exciting new future for the hotel.
Reassuring loyal guests and newcomers, Paul explains: “We are deeply passionate about providing the very best facilities and levels of service for all our guests. With our experience at the Windermere Manor Hotel we are confident of bringing our expertise and extensive knowledge of the hospitality industry to The Cliffden, creating a very special holiday destination for everyone to enjoy.”
Working in harmony with the hotel team, led by General Manager Karen Stacey and local volunteers who help out with guests requiring assistance, often with their guide dogs, Starboard Hotels will be continuing to provide facilities that make this unique hotel a warm and welcoming destination for all.
Added Paul: “This is an important investment being made into Teignmouth to enhance its charm as a seaside destination. The trend for the Staycation is increasing here in the UK and this has created a great platform for a renaissance in our seaside towns’ like
Teignmouth. We are pleased to be investing in this historic hotel and intend to sympathetically restore the property and the great facilities that already exist for people with sight loss and their families, alongside offering superb facilities for everyone to enjoy.”
General Manager of The Cliffden hotel Karen Stacey adds: “I am extremely pleased to report that the hotel is now under new ownership. It is great news. Starboard Hotels are seeking to improve the hotel for all our guests and fully embrace the opportunity to
continue working with people with sight loss. This is an exciting time for the hotel and we are looking forward to our new positioning as part of a successful portfolio of hotels that truly understands the needs of our guests, our staff and volunteers.”
Annie Wilson, Guide Dogs’ Head of Mobility Services for the South West, said: “We are delighted to complete the sale of the Cliffden hotel and that Starboard Hotels has commit-ted to continuing to provide facilities for guests with sight loss. We know how much this means to our guide dog owners and we wish the hotel every success.”
Kerian Barnes Group Operations Director for Starboard Hotels who announced the news to the hotel team said: “This is a magnificent property, built as a family home just at the start of the Victorian era. It has a rich history and fascinating heritage, all enhanced by its enviable proximity to the sea and of course it’s beautifully manicured gardens. We will be maintaining all the wonderful facilities that already exist for guests with sight loss, along-side offering a superb guest experience for everyone to enjoy.”
The hotel, positioned close to Teignmouth promenade and the Grand Pier, enjoys spectacular sea views and features full leisure facilities with plenty of outdoor recreation-al space including dog walking areas. The hotel staff are trained to assist those visitors with sight loss and ensure guide dogs also get the best “guest experience” too.
Kerian added: “This is a great opportunity for the loyal, regular visitors to The Cliffden to increase their holiday and weekend break options, knowing that they are assured of a warm welcome and first class facilities within all of Starboard’s other hotels in different locations across the country. All our hotels are dog-friendly and we look forward to ensuring guests with sight loss and their dogs have a fantastic experience at any of our hotels.”