Autumn 2019

47 Mar19147 The Shandon Hotel :An Outstanding Guest Experience in County Donegal Opened in 2016, the Shandon Hotel & Spa is a luxury resort right on the Wild Atlantic Way, impressing with its unrivalled views over the bay and ocean. In March, the hotel was recognised with the ‘Award for Excellence in Luxury Accommodation – the Republic of Ireland’ in the 2019 Global Luxury Hotel & Spa Awards programme. Following this win, we spoke with the Shandon’s General Manager, Carolynne Harrison, to find out more about their exceptional dedication to the guest experience. More than anything, the Shandon Hotel & Spa has impressed through a commitment to constant improvement, ensuring that they remain one of the best hotels in Ireland for the foreseeable future. This proactivity – a sort of restlessness- rises to the forefront when it comes to exceeding guest expectations. In this, their approach is unparalleled, creating a culture defined by a warm hospitality that seems totally at peace with the Shandon’s peerless surroundings. Cultivated an exceptional guest experience really is fundamental to the Shandon’s success, as Carolynne explains in more detail. “The Shandon attracts leisure guests from all around the world who wish to escape from reality and indulge in the ultimate in self-care.” Ultimately, the hotel’s reputation stems from the staff, with a team dynamic that is built on attitude over experience: “We believe that if someone has the right attitude and passion for making each and every one of their valued guests feel relaxed, comfortable and take care of, then they can be trained professionally to provide service excellence. Each of the team members are empowered, there is no micro-managing allowed and this has resulted in a very happy, engaged and genuinely positive work force and it shows in our reviews! Indeed, most of the management team in place at the moment have progressed from entry-level positions to middle and then senior management. Team Shandon is just like a big family with every single team member valued for the service that they provide.” “The Shandon Hotel & Spa is ranked in the top 20 hotels in Ireland on TripAdvisor, putting it in the top 2% of Irelands best!” Facing out onto Sheephaven Bay, The Shandon’s location offers a natural draw for guests looking to unwind and relax. On this foundation, the hotel has moved from strength to strength, relishing in the challenges that the last couple of years have unearthed. Of course, with Brexit imminent, the hotel has had to adapt to a changing environment, and a market where uncertainty is the only constant. “With the uncertainty of Brexit, increase in labour costs, business conditions have been very challenging, however The Shandon committed to building strong foundations since we opened in March 2016, so we are confident that this will support us through the uncertain times ahead. The Wild Atlantic Way has really opened up the coastal areas in Ireland and we are also happy to see how successful we were in tackling seasonality ensuring we are opened year-round with strong occupancy levels. “The Shandon's management team are young and innovative, they have their ear to the ground in terms of the latest industry trends and more importantly, the business develops based on their customers wants, needs and desires. The team will proactively ensure that they are ahead of their competition with all that is ahead.” It’s no surprise then that the future of The Shandon can be defined by a continuation, of sorts, as they look to build on the strong foundations already in place. “The Shandon is always growing and developing: over the last three years we have refurbished the entire resort, built an additional 18 bedrooms, new restaurant, new entrance and new state of the art staircase to the front which makes the most of our spectacular location and beautiful views over the bay. “The Managing Director of the Shandon, Mr. Warren McCarthy, is a very successful businessman based in London, his expertise is in construction and re-fits therefore it is likely that the Shandon will continue to strive in terms of its interior and exterior finish and it is also likely that the resort will grow in the future as a result of the business demands.” Name: Carolynne Harrison, General Manager Address: Portnablagh, Dunfanaghy, County Donegal, Ireland Website: www.shandonhotelspa.com