December 2016

Basil Fawlty may be an extremely entertaining and comedic character but as a hotel manager he falls way short in the people skills needed to keep a successful business going.

Fortunately here at Buckatree Hall we have a general manager who continues to ensure our hotel maintains its position, high standards and professionalism among the very best.

We are a busy and hugely successful hotel – 2016 has been a record breaker for us – and we are always striving to ensure we maintain those goals for the good of our guests. This can’t be achieved without a highly committed and motivated workforce and here at Buckatree Hall we believe we have the best.

Part of the fun about being a hotel manager is meeting the countless number of people who come through our door – each one has a different experience of life and each has their own unique story to tell.

After taking on the challenge of running the independently owned hotel four years ago, we asked general manager Wayne Jenson to explain what continues to drive him on a daily basis:

“Ensuring everything is right day-to-day is truly a full-time job but it is also a hugely rewarding one and the thought each day that we have made the stay of our guests as good as we possibly can is very satisfying.

“To do this with the challenges any 24/7 business faces and still be able to maintain our very professional approach and high level of service is what it is all about.

“Whilst a lot of things are routine – two days are rarely the same. There is always something that needs addressing or requirements or requests by a guest that need sorting. Every day is different in some way or other.

“Some of the things we get asked or some things that happen are quite unusual but in the interests of guest confidentiality I don’t think I should relay them here.

“You always have to have an open mind and try to ensure the guests’ needs are dealt with in a professional and courteous manner.

“People visit us from all over the world and engaging them in conversation and hearing about their experiences is wonderful. So many from a wide diversity of backgrounds generate an interesting insight for us into their lives and places they come from. It can be a bit like going on holiday without ever leaving the hotel!

“Obviously I am responsible not only for the smooth running of the hotel and the welfare of the guests on a daily basis but also for the workforce. The hotel has 62 rooms and over 40 members of staff, so there’s enough to keep busy!

“We have an excellent staff base at Buckatree Hall and that helps me to keep things on track through the excellent structure we have in place.

“Things usually run well but there are always those instances that you can’t see coming and then it’s all hands to the pump to make sure every eventuality is catered for.

“Another great thing about working at Buckatree Hall is the wide range of events and services we have here. It is always busy and that’s good for me. Whether it’s weddings, functions or a host of meetings by various organisations, there is always something happening.

“It’s a real pleasure to do the job I do and I am so pleased to continue to be a part of such a huge success that is Buckatree Hall Hotel.”