A unique new hotel which is owned and run by a further education college has opened its doors for the first time in Broadstairs.
The Grade II Listed building which houses the 28 room hotel – named The Yarrow after shipbuilding magnate Sir Alfred Yarrow who built it in 1894 – was opened on July 25 following a multi-million pound makeover. The refurbishment transformed the building from a lecturing space into a luxury boutique hotel.
Complementing the 23 bedrooms and five suites is a 64 cover restaurant and 120 person event space. The hotel also has a luxury salon and spa for guests who want to indulge in a range of rejuvenating treatments.
The Yarrow – which is owned and operated by East Kent College – breaks new ground in the UK, with no other hotel owned by a further education provider. Top students from the College’s hospitality, catering and hair and beauty areas will get the opportunity to work alongside industry leaders to hone their skills and gain valuable live commercial experience.
The Yarrow’s restaurant is headed up by award winning chef, Ben Williams, who has worked at a range of exceptional restaurants including two Michelin Star restaurant, The Square; Read’s Restaurant; and the Abode Hotel in Canterbury.
The hotel is managed by Andrea Whigham, who most recently worked as the General Manager at Birmingham’s four-star Hotel Indigo.
Commercial director of East Kent College, Shane Godwin, said that the hotel’s focus would be on providing the highest levels of customer service and quality.
He said: “This hotel is unique as one which is owned and operated by a further education college, but the difference for customers who walk through the doors of The Yarrow will be the quality of service they get.
“As a training hotel it’s been really important to ensure all of our professional staff are passionate about the hospitality industry, and giving every customer the finest experience possible. We’ve got an incredible team of professional staff here, and I’m confident that everyone who visits The Yarrow will walk away having had next level service throughout their time with us.”