Charity and Volunteering

Hotel d'Angleterre

Abbygaelle Diallo and Lea Filippone were warmly thanked for their wonderful participation in Samedi du Partage, contributing to an incredible collective effort that resulted in 123 tons of essential goods being gathered with the help of 1,191 dedicated volunteers. Their commitment and generosity played a meaningful part in the success of this important initiative, and their contribution is truly appreciated.

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The Chesterfield

Supporting the local community remains close to the team’s heart, with Adam and Adrian volunteering in April, followed by Johal and Shiham in May. With a commitment to providing two volunteers to The London Soup Kitchen each month, the team continues to make a meaningful difference – offering warmth, care, and connection to those who need it most, and demonstrating a spirit of compassion they can be truly proud of.

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Ashford Castle

Lana Murphy is a dedicated volunteer at Galway Hospice, where she has generously given her time for more than three years. Volunteering three days each month, she supports the lunch shift by serving meals to patients with kindness and care, bringing comfort and connection to those she meets.

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The Milestone

Jamie, Isabelle, Nicola, and the team brought incredible energy to Mile 26 as they joined the Starlight crew to cheer on the London Marathon runners. The atmosphere was electric, and they were thrilled to spot so many inspiring participants – including Mr Raggett’s son, Hugo – powering through the final stretch for a great cause.

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Bushmans Kloof

The team recently spent time giving back to their community, and the photos capture some of the amazing projects they completed – from knitting warm items for residents of the Sederville Old Age Home to cleaning the roadside areas leading into town and offering thoughtful Mother’s Day manicures to the elderly. Their kindness, teamwork, and generosity made a meaningful difference to the people in their area and brought plenty of smiles along the way.

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The Oyster Box

Volunteering continues to be a key pillar of the team’s sustainability efforts, and recently several team members spent time at the Nkosinathi Kitchen at the Denis Hurley Centre, where they prepared and served breakfast and lunch for around 300 individuals experiencing homelessness who rely on the centre for their daily meals. Their compassion and hands‑on support made a meaningful difference – a truly commendable effort by everyone involved.

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The Chesterfield

The team came together in the most delicious way to support Ellen and Erin’s Starlight Three Peaks Challenge, hosting a bake sale that saw an incredible array of homemade treats and proved our biggest yet. The creativity, generosity and team spirit on display made it a true highlight, with sustainability thoughtfully woven into the event.

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The Montague

The Montague on the Gardens team continues to make a meaningful difference through their dedicated volunteer efforts, and the last quarter has been a shining example of that commitment. Kami generously volunteered at the Hotel Magazine Awards in support of Hospitality Action, while Sam lent his time and enthusiasm to the charity’s “Back to the Floor” event, assisting with the raffle and encouraging guests to donate – an initiative that raised an incredible £405,000. The team’s passion, energy, and willingness to support important causes truly reflect their ongoing commitment to giving back and uplifting the wider community.

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Mark has gone above and beyond by completing not one but two marathons – the Virtual London Marathon and the Edinburgh Marathon – raising vital funds and awareness for Crohn’s & Colitis UK. Closer to home, Neil continues to champion regular charity collections in support of Dove House Hospice and Cancer Research UK, two causes close to his heart. Meanwhile, Zoe proudly supports Girlguiding UK, dedicating her time to mentoring young people and helping them build confidence, skills, and lifelong friendships. Together, these efforts reflect the true spirit of The Montague – a team passionate about giving back and making a positive difference to those around them.

Amazing, Team!

Sustainability

The Ashford Estate

In March, the estate completed its annual EarthCheck audit – a rigorous assessment that measures environmental performance and sustainability practices across leading tourism businesses – and auditor Stephen was genuinely impressed by the warmth, professionalism, and hospitality shown by team members in every area. He praised the estate’s strong environmental connection and commitment to embedding sustainability into five‑star hospitality, brought to life through thoughtful partnerships and meaningful guest experiences. The estate has now achieved conditional EarthCheck Silver status, the highest level possible at this stage. This accomplishment reflects the pride, engagement, and teamwork of all involved and stands as a milestone the entire team can be proud of.

The Oyster Box

The EarthCheck Audit held in March at The Oyster Box was a rewarding opportunity for the team to showcase their strong sustainability efforts, with auditor Piet van Zyl reviewing key areas such as water, energy, waste, and food sustainability through detailed discussions and property walkthroughs. With Jan leading policy and compliance, Nabeel validating performance data, Daniel presenting food sustainability initiatives, and Dylan coordinating the overall process, the audit highlighted the team’s dedication to responsible hospitality and resulted in the hotel achieving Silver EarthCheck Certification – a fantastic accomplishment and a testament to the team’s hard work and commitment.

Hotel 41

Hotel 41 is buzzing with excitement as the team proudly welcomes its new rooftop bee family, marking a meaningful step forward in the hotel’s sustainability journey on Buckingham Palace Road. The newly installed hives provide a safe space for the bees to flourish high above the city while supporting the wider environment through essential pollination – a reflection of the hotel’s ongoing commitment to responsible and thoughtful hospitality.

It is a special moment for the entire team, who are delighted to nurture this small but powerful ecosystem and watch it thrive above the hotel. They are incredibly proud to embrace this new chapter and look forward to sharing the bees’ progress – and all the sweet moments to come – with their community on social media.

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100 Princes Street

The enthusiasm for urban beekeeping is shared across the collection, as 100 Princes Street has also welcomed its own rooftop hives, giving their resident bees what may be the best view in the entire city. With the colonies settling in beautifully, it won’t be long before the team proudly produces their very own 100 Princes Street honey. Both bee initiatives highlight a shared dedication to sustainability, biodiversity, and creating meaningful environmental impact – achievements the teams are truly proud of.

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Alongside this, the property has strengthened its commitment to local sourcing, with the chef actively meeting suppliers across the city, including a recent visit to IJ Mellis, specialists in Scottish cheese and proud partners in the hotel’s culinary offering. These connections not only support local producers but also enrich the stories the team can share with guests, making each dining experience even more meaningful.

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The Chesterfield

April saw the launch of their Earth Month Bingo Challenge, encouraging the team to take part in simple yet impactful sustainability actions throughout the month. A special congratulations to Erin, whose enthusiasm and commitment saw her complete the most activities and take the top spot.

Well done, Erin!

The Old Government House

The Guernsey team – Aleks, Amanda, and Fran – proudly took part in the World Aid Walk, demonstrating their strong commitment to supporting an important global cause. By joining the walk, they helped raise both awareness and essential funds for communities in need around the world, contributing to projects that improve access to clean water, food, education, and healthcare. Their dedication and community spirit are truly commendable.

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The team once again showed their strong community spirit as they volunteered at GROW’s Tea Tent for Liberation Day, supporting a local charity dedicated to helping individuals with learning and other disabilities. As sponsors of the tent, the team served tea, coffee, scones, and traditional Guernsey Gâche, fully embracing the day as a hands‑on volunteer experience. Thanks to the wonderful support from the community – and the team’s enthusiasm – GROW raised an estimated £3,000, making the event both meaningful and memorable.

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Awards and Achievements

Ashford castle

Paddy Costello has reached an extraordinary milestone at Ashford Castle, celebrating an incredible 50 years of dedicated service marked by warmth, passion, and a legacy of unforgettable hospitality. A joyful evening in the Lodge Ballroom brought together friends, family, and colleagues to honour his remarkable journey with fond memories, laughter, great food, and lively music. Paddy’s commitment has touched countless lives over the decades, and his Ashford Castle family proudly celebrates the impact he continues to make.

Thank you for your service, Paddy!

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The Lodge at Ashford

Huge congratulations to Madeleine Dermody who passed her Advanced Programme in Training Skills with flying colours!

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Another huge congratulations to entire Lodge team for winning Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant in Connaught at the recent Irish Restaurant Awards. Jonathan Keane and Katelyn McDonald were present at the event to receive the prestigious award.

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The Oyster Box

The Oyster Box team continues to shine, with several individuals achieving remarkable academic and professional milestones that reflect their dedication to growth. Bucie Maphumulo proudly completed her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, while Lwandi Zangqa earned her honours in Hospitality Management and is already pursuing further studies to make her mark in the industry. Their achievements embody the belief that education is power and that continuous learning opens doors to new possibilities.

Our Management Programme participants have also shown exceptional progress. Ayanda Mkhize represented the hotel at key tourism events and continues to grow confidently within the Rooms Division. Onaleruna Ndlovu expanded her skills by transitioning into Front Office, becoming more versatile and adaptable across departments. Meanwhile, Karabo Masemola has flourished creatively in Food & Beverage, contributing to major campaigns and elevating guest experiences through visual storytelling. Each of them is building an inspiring path forward and we couldn’t be prouder of their commitment, passion, and professional growth.

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The Twelve Apostles

The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa is celebrating excellence in hospitality with Front Office Reception Day and Waiter’s Day, honouring the team members who create memorable guest experiences through warm welcomes and attentive service. This year, special recognition goes to Yonela Mato, whose exceptional service has earned repeated praise on Tripadvisor. Her genuine care, attentiveness, and delightful approach reflect the heart of true hospitality.

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The Milestone

The team is delighted to share that Zivile will be transitioning from Housekeeping into a permanent Receptionist role from 13th April, joining the fantastic Reception team. This move reflects her hard work, enthusiasm, and readiness to take on new challenges, and it perfectly showcases the team’s ongoing commitment to nurturing internal talent and creating opportunities for individuals to grow and thrive.

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The Rubens

The Rubens at the Palace is proud to announce that it has been honoured with the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award 2026, a prestigious accolade that places the hotel among the top 10% of hospitality establishments worldwide. This recognition holds particular significance as it is shaped entirely by guest feedback,eflecting the consistently exceptional reviews and memorable experiences shared throughout the past year.

At the heart of this achievement is the hotel’s dedicated team, whose commitment to excellence, attention to detail, and genuine warmth define every guest interaction. Their thoughtful touches and intuitive service continue to uphold the legacy of refined hospitality for which The Rubens is renowned.

Special Highlights

The Egerton

In May, The Egerton unveiled their latest external installation, once again created in collaboration with Jane Wadham. Inspired by the world-famous Chelsea Flower Show, this year’s display takes the form of an enchanting grotto, designed to captivate and delight all who pass by.

The installation has quickly become a focal point of the street, drawing admiration from guests and neighbours alike and will remain in place through the height of the summer season. It is a wonderful example of how they continue to bring creativity and seasonal storytelling to the exterior of the hotel.

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This spring also marked the launch of the Salon Series – a collection of intimate events designed to celebrate valued partnerships while offering guests something truly special and immersive.

The series began with an enchanting floristry workshop led by resident florist Jane Wadham, who guided guests in creating arrangements inspired by the Old Masters. The event perfectly captured the spirit of The Egerton: elegant, creative, and deeply personal.

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The Old Government House

With the support of Copilot, we carefully reviewed all the online comments and feedback we received from our guests. This allowed us to identify and highlight team members who consistently go above and beyond. And, as part of our recent tea party, we took the opportunity to host a special staff appreciation moment, recognising the hard work, dedication, and positive impact our team delivers every day. It was a lovely way to celebrate everyone’s efforts and boost team morale.

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The Montague

A new initiative introduced to our guests at The Montague on the Gardens, which has proven to be a great success, is a local weekly walking tour with our Deputy General Manager, Neil Anderson. This is a tour of Bloomsbury and offers a wonderful introduction to the neighbourhood’s history, charm, and cultural landmarks. The tour also gives Neil an excellent opportunity to promote the hotel’s food and beverage offerings when the tour concludes.

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The Twelve Apostles

The spirit of the FIFA World Cup 2026 is alive at The Twelve Apostles, and on the opening day their canteen became a lively fan zone as South Africa took on Mexico. Team members can enjoy all the excitement of the tournament with our goal‑tracking leaderboard, follow every match on the fixture poster, and join the WhatsApp prediction competition for a chance to win great prizes.

More than just football, this is a moment for our Twelve Apostles family to come together, share the energy, and cheer for our home team. Grab your lunch, wave your flags, and let’s fill the canteen with unity, joy, and team spirit. Go South Africa!

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Ashford Castle

The Ashford Castle team kicked off April with a vibrant Employee Appreciation and Wellbeing Week, a week blessed with beautiful weather and a fantastic mix of activities, from yoga, massages, healthy treats, and juicy burgers to life‑advice sessions, healthcare clinics, and the much‑loved job swaps. The week was a celebration of genuine appreciation and holistic wellbeing, reminding team members that feeling valued, supported, and encouraged to thrive matters every day. The hope is that everyone found a moment just for themselves and felt the heartfelt gratitude behind it all – go raibh míle maith agat to every team member who makes Ashford Castle shine.

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The Milestone

Katia De Luca went above and beyond for National Receptionist Day, surprising the team with thoughtful gift bags and organising a special food and beverage training session with Vicky and Chef Dan. It was a wonderful celebration of the reception team, whose warmth, professionalism, and constant smiles play such an important role in the guest experience and contribute so much to the heart of the business.

Thank you, Katia!

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Hotel d'Angleterre

The team was delighted to welcome the High Impact Leaders group for two fantastic days filled with exploration and memorable experiences, from discovering the city’s highlights to enjoying a traditional Swiss fondue and getting hands on in a fun sushi‑making workshop.

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The Twelve Apostles

The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa marked Wellness Day 2026 on 11th May with a vibrant celebration dedicated to the physical, mental, and financial well‑being of its team members. With the support of partners such as Discovery Health, Momentum Health, Sanlam, Occu‑Vision, Radhaint Health Radiology, the Amy Beihl Foundation spa students, and the always‑popular Venda‑Blenda Smoothie Bike, team members enjoyed health checks, financial guidance, eye testing, mammogram screenings, relaxing hand massages, and fun wellness activities throughout the day.

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The Montague

Some truly fantastic news – on 15th April, Enkeleda proudly welcomed her gorgeous baby girl, Emily. The whole team is celebrating this happy arrival … welcome to the world, Emily!

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The Twelve Apostles

The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa has unveiled its new training room, a dedicated space designed to support Learning & Development initiatives, team engagement sessions, and workplace forum meetings. With sincere appreciation to Dion and the maintenance team for bringing this project to life, the hotel has also introduced a tablet station that gives team members easy access to Mapal online training programmes, offering valuable opportunities to strengthen service skills and grow their careers.

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The Rubens

At The Rubens at the Palace, creating personalised moments is central to the guest experience, and a recent stay offered a perfect example. When a guest arrived for the premiere of The Featherweight, Alicja from Reception partnered with the Pastry Team to create a bespoke chocolate amenity inspired by the film – complete with boxing‑themed details and a playful “Let’s get ready to rumble!” message.

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RCH Newsletter: June 2026

A Message From JR