With the strapline ‘dare to be different’, the Malmaison chain of hotels is renowned for shaking things up. Following the promotion of its previous manager, the hotel has welcomed a new figurehead from the De Vere hotel chain, who is ready to take Birmingham’s stand out boutique hotel to the next level.
Damian Goom has already started to implement exciting changes at Malmaison. In line with The Mailbox redevelopment there are plans to revamp the entire hotel offering. With the hope of upgrading the ‘standard’ experience, 30 rooms are receiving a makeover with luxurious soft furnishings, the latest TVs, Barista-style coffee machines, show-stopping showers, and sumptuous leather recliners being introduced. This marks the start of a long list of changes that Goom hopes to introduce in the coming months.
“The vibe here at Mal is fantastic; the Bar & Brasserie exude ‘coolness’ and the bedrooms offer guests pure style and luxury. That’s what the Malmaison brand is all about but there are a few changes that I’m keen to do to give the place a lift and bring it a little more up-to-date. I’m starting with the bedrooms and giving it all a lick of paint here and there, but I’ve got much bigger plans afoot,” Goom said.
“My predecessor did an amazing job putting the hotel on the map and making it a ‘must visit’ destination in the region. I’m keen to build on this and with the exciting developments surrounding the centre of it all, and I want us to be ready.
“There will be some bigger changes in the long-run; including a new entrance direct from The Mailbox shopping level three and an overhaul of some elements of the hotel but, for now, I’m concentrating on some of the ‘quick wins’. The 30 bedrooms are stage one and we’re also making some changes in the bar area, including new furniture on the raised seating area,” he continued.
Goom joined Malmaison from De Vere, where he worked within the ‘Village’ brand for nine years. His most recent post at Village Urban Resort Coventry saw him oversee 146 bedrooms, a leisure club with 4,500 members, banqueting for 200, a pub, restaurant, spa and Starbucks franchise. Whilst there, he turned the hotel around and achieved ‘Top 6’ status in the company in everything from team engagement, health and safety, and financial and customer satisfaction. Whilst under his guidance, the Coventry team also added £250,000 revenue. He now hopes to have a similar positive effect on Malmaison Birmingham.
“It’s all interlinked and I want the changes that we’re making to have a positive effect on the Mal customer base. I haven’t worked in the city centre before but I love Birmingham – I’m proud that my daughters will grow up as ‘Brummies’ – and I want to really become part of the city. I’m keen to go out and network, and establish relationships not just in the immediate area but across the city and all of the BIDs.
“I also think we have a responsibility to offer charities a great place to host events and fundraise for fantastic causes so we’re already teaming up with several local charities for functions. This is a really exciting time for Birmingham and I want to ensure that Mal is ready to offer the best cocktail, most amazing menus, luxurious rooms and everything in between for people that will be flocking to Europe’s new shopping mecca,” he concluded.
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