HotelPartner Revenue Management is pleased to report that it is sponsoring the aha (Accessible Hospitality Alliance). Robert Holland, the company’s Managing Director UK & Ireland, has been an aha Ambassador since last year.
Robert’s formative years in hospitality took him across Europe with stints at some of the finest hotels, coupled with studies at Cornell in upstate New York. With a focus on F&B, he eventually went on to run his own restaurants in SW London, in Balham & Fulham, which he sold in 2012.
He was fortunate enough to be welcomed back into hotels in 2010 by Robin Sheppard, Founder and President of Bespoke Hotels – and now aha chair – where he stayed for seven years, rising to the role of Regional Operations Manager responsible for two hotels in central London.
He joined HotelPartner Revenue Management in 2017. The company is a technology-enabled outsourced revenue service which started in Switzerland in 2006 and now has circa 500 clients across Europe but primarily in Switzerland, Germany & Austria.
Robert said: “Working with Robin helped us to understand the diversity of disability, to appreciate that it’s not just about installing a ramp. That inspired me to think of additional ways to improve service, such as having reading glasses available in the restaurant for people who can’t read the small font on a menu. Small touches are important.
“Many hotels see DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) rooms as an unwelcome additional cost, but I see them as an asset. They are usually larger than standard hotel rooms, they have wider doors and if you are clever about it have, for example, emergency chords which can be rolled up or detached, they are very appealing across a range of guests. And with DDA rooms now standard, the hope is that our sector will reassure travellers who rightly want to share the experiences the able bodied, can sometimes take for granted.
“My experience with Robin helped me and the team at The Bermondsey Square Hotel win the award for the best accessible room, based around the idea that just because a room is accessible, it doesn’t have to be full of white plastic. You can source attractive, comfortable furnishings to make the stay not only functional, but enjoyable. And in this way, we can deliver true hospitality to everyone.”
Denis Sheehan, Managing Director, Accessible Hospitality Alliance welcomed Robert and HotelPartner’s valuable sponsorship saying: “Knowing Robert well and having spoken with Robert about accessibility over many years, especially his experience while at Bespoke, I know HotelPartner and aha have cultural alignment on accessibility. As we move forward together, doubtless we welcome many others that share our viewpoint to be part of aha, wishing to make hospitality and catering more accessible to guests and colleagues.”
If you and/or your business are interested in working with aha you can get in touch with the team here.
