Hotel Owner October 2017 | Page 17

HOTEL CONCEPT OF THE MONTH | ENCHANTED MANOR MONTH IN REVIEW Hotel Concept of the Month: Enchanted Manor With its current managers looking to slow down, the Isle of Wight’s Enchanted Manor is looking for new full time owners who will continue to ensure the bed and breakfast remains a popular romantic destination for couples and a magical haven for its guests W hile some may only wish of it was all fated. We walked through the staying at a truly magical hotel, door and my first words were, ‘This is really the Enchanted Manor in the Isle enchanting.’ That’s where this began.” of Wight tries its best to make that happen. Outside of celebratory events, Maggie Run by husband and wife Maggie and Ric and Ric strive to make the stay as special Hil ton, the Enchanted Manor lives up to its as possible for all of their guests, omitting name, with its décor echoing the spaces common practices for a slightly more unique in dreams and fairytales. Designing the experience. Due to “changing trends”, the hotel to be an “escape from reality and the couple stopped serving a cooked breakfast stresses of life”, the property practically fell this year, in place of a cold option for guests into the role of becoming an ‘enchanted’ to eat away from the hotel kitchen and dining venue where guests celebrate birthdays, area. “They can have them in their suites or weddings and anniversaries. Maggie says: they can take them away so it’s much more “We didn’t really intend it to be that way but flexible.” They also make up a picnic brunch we attract people celebrating.” with homemade dishes so guests can enjoy Its popularity as a romantic getaway has led to the hotel appearing on TV shows the hotels attractive coastline view. Prioritising a human touch and their such as Channel 4’s Four in a Bed and guests’ happiness, Maggie and Ric hope reality show Four Weddings. The Enchanted that whoever runs the hotel after them will Manor was also recently awarded the Isle continue their legacy of running a friendly of Wight’s Best Wedding Venue, boasts and welcoming lodging. While they do glowing TripAdvisor reviews and was given a not envision themselves stepping away five-star Gold AA award. completely from the hotel they live next to, Being the first person in the Isle of they are open to seeing the property be Wight to gain a wedding licence, Maggie opened all year rather than the five or six purchased the property when it was still months it currently runs. She also states it known as the Windcliffe Manor and was could work for someone who wants to veer a ‘run down’ business. “We kept having away from weddings and develop it as a people say you’ve got to see this place at lifestyle location. “It wouldn’t suit anyone St Catherine’s Point, it’ll suit you down to just looking for a basic contemporary hotel; the ground,” Maggie says. “We just came it will be someone looking for something to have a look to appease our friend and different and special.” October 2017 www.hotelowner.co.uk 17