OUR 2023 HIGHLIGHTS:
This year marked a significant milestone for our company. To reflect our transformation from a hotelier over the years, we made the decision to rebrand ourselves as the Brend Collection and also gave our logo a fresh update.
Alongside this rebranding effort, we saw the opportunity to revamp all of our websites. Our websites have been meticulously designed to function as a user-friendly catalogue, allowing visitors to utilise filters for precise searches.
This brand refresh illustrates our growing ambition to expand further within the hospitality industry. However, rest assured that each of our hotels will remain the same with their unique and individual personalities” - Peter Brend, Director
A standout moment for our company this year was being recognised by Which? as one of the Best Small Hotel Chains in the UK. Securing the leading position and achieving the highest overall percentage score across both small and large chains, this recognition reinforces our commitment to upholding excellence and our unwavering dedication to delivering exceptional hospitality.
"This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our teams across Devon & Cornwall within our family business. We remain steadfast in our commitment to exceed our customers' expectations and strive to continue enhancing our collection at every opportunity." - Mr John Brend, Brend Group Chairman
Awards & Celebrations
We are overjoyed to share the wonderful news that Saunton Sands Hotel's Source Spa and Wellness has been awarded the prestigious AA Best UK Spa Award. This esteemed recognition is a reflection of our unwavering dedication to excellence in spa and wellness services. Furthermore, it's worth mentioning that we are actively progressing on our second Source Spa project. A substantial £1 million luxury spa refurbishment is in full swing at the Victoria Hotel in Sidmouth. Completion is expected in Spring 2024.
Saunton Sands Hotel Source Spa & Wellness was honoured with the prestigious Conde Nast Johansens award for 'Best for Families’. Meanwhile, The Imperial Hotel commemorated 25 years under the Brend family's ownership with a splendid celebration.
We’re thrilled to announce that for the first time in its long history as Barnstaple’s bustling bistro, 62 The Bank has been awarded an AA Rosette for culinary excellence following a recent inspection. This award is reflective of our entire teams commitment and work ethic that’s on display day in day out, which we couldn’t be more proud of!
At the heart of the Brend Collection's values is our commitment to sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint. We have a dedicated team working diligently behind the scenes to explore ways to minimise our carbon footprint, reduce plastic waste, and limit our environmental impact.
We've implemented renewable energy solutions across many of our hotels, including Solar Thermal at the Victoria Hotel and a PV installation at The Barnstaple Hotel for heating water and reducing daytime energy usage. Furthermore, Saunton Sands Hotel now operates on 70% renewable energy from its Biomass wood chip boiler.
This year also marked the rollout of numerous EV Smappee charging stations in the majority of our hotel car parks, offering guests real-time tracking of their car charging through a convenient app.
Giving back...
Giving back to the community has always been of great importance for the Brend family. This year, the annual Sportsman's Dinner hosted by the Brend Collection at The Barnstaple Hotel celebrated a decade of fundraising, accumulating a total of £130,000 for the local charity, North Devon Hospice. Additionally, we hosted a fundraising event with the DyNaMix Choir, raising £2,515 for the Barnstaple and District branch of RNLI.
Our staff not only strive to ensure our guests have exceptional experiences during their time with us but also make significant contributions to the local community and charitable causes. For instance, a bake sale at our Head Office raised over £400 for Macmillan in September, and our Accounts & IT department participated in the Pretty Muddy® 5K Race for Life obstacle course in July, raising £433 for Cancer Research.
The dedication, enthusiasm, and quality of our workforce continue to have a positive impact on the Brend Collection. This year, we celebrated numerous career milestones, welcomed many new team members and celebrated 20 newly qualified apprentices through the Brend Academy.
As we conclude 2023, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for your incredible support. We eagerly anticipate welcoming you to a Brend Collection hotel, spa, or restaurant in 2024.
