Double awards success for historic hotel near Peterborough
An historic hotel near Peterborough is celebrating a double success.
The 17th century The Talbot at Oundle has won two top titles at the annual awards held by its owners, the Coaching Inn Group, which has 42 other hotels and inns across the country.
Dorota Metselaar, general manager of The Talbot was named general manager of the year, and the renowned 34-bedroom inn was itself named as the winner of the accommodation excellence award.
Dorota, who joined the hotel as a receptionist 12 years ago, said: “I simply couldn’t believe it when my name was announced as general manager of the year and I was called to the stage.
“But I could never have won this coveted award without all the support I have received from my entire team, many of whom have worked with me for many years and share an enthusiastic and can-do attitude.
"I love our shared camaraderie and the great relationships we have with all our local customers which put us at the very heart of the community in which we serve, and of course welcoming our guests from far and wide.
Dorota, a mother of two, studied for a tourism degree at the University of the West of England and went straight into hospitality by becoming a receptionist at a leading Bristol hotel and from there she has never looked back.
Coaching Inn Group Managing Director Adam Charity said Dorota was a most worthy winner of this top award.
The Talbot was rebuilt in1626 using stone salvaged from nearby Fotheringhay Castle and features an iconic oak staircase reputedly descended by Mary Queen of Scots.