Hand Picked Hotels has appointed the former hotel manager of Sofitel London St James and the former general manager of the Lygon Arms to oversee three of its country house properties.
Vidyadhar Patole has been appointed general manager of both Wood Hall Hotel & Spa near Wetherby and Crathorne Hall Hotel in North Yorkshire, joining from Constance Halaveli in the Maldives, where he spent the past two years.
He brings 26 years of industry experience, having previously held senior management roles at prestigious properties including Fairmont St Andrews and Sofitel London St James.
Meanwhile, Graeme Nesbitt has been named general manager of Fawsley Hall Hotel & Spa in Northamptonshire. He joins from the Lygon Arms in the Cotswolds, part of Iconic Luxury Hotels, and previously served as group food and beverage director at Hand Picked Hotels for four years.
At Fawsley Hall Hotel & Spa, he will oversee the two-AA-rosette restaurant, headed by chef Joe Gould.
Patole said: “Joining Hand Picked Hotels as general manager at Crathorne Hall and Wood Hall is a thrilling opportunity, and I am fully committed to driving the next phase of growth and excellence for the brand. This is about going the extra mile with curated experiences that go beyond just a pleasant stay.”
Nesbitt said: “This is an exciting opportunity, and I’m committed to leading the next chapter of growth and excellence. Hand Picked Hotels has always placed great emphasis on creating memorable stays, and I’m honoured to take over the day-to-day leadership of Fawsley Hall Hotel & Spa – it’s always been a much-revered property in our collection.”
Julia Hands, chair of Hand Picked Hotels, added: “Both bring extensive experience in luxury hospitality, and their expertise and enthusiasm will be key assets in these important roles. I’m excited to see how their leadership will enhance our team, elevate the experience for our discerning guests and help preserve the unique heritage of our historic country hotels.”
Founded in 2001, Hand Picked Hotels has grown into a collection of 21 privately owned luxury country house hotels and coastal retreats.
