Stay in touch, keep up to date, hear it first! The News stories as they happen right here in Hodson Bay Group. Here you’ll find all the latest stories from all of our hotels, our people and our communities.
Galway Bay hotel are delighted to announce they have been named ‘Best Irish Hotel’ by Ireland’s Travel Trade Network (ITTN) in the inaugural ‘Irish Travel Trade Awards 2021’.
This is the first year the ‘‘Irish Travel Trade Awards’ has taken place, with nominations and votes being cast by ITTN’s readers and consumers for the best tourism providers and operators in Ireland.
Following the announcement of the roadmap to easing restrictions, here at Hodson Bay Group we are looking forward to welcoming guests back across our four hotels in Galway, Athlone and Dublin. From this week we will see capacities at indoor events return to 60% for fully vaccinated guests. Our teams are excited to welcome back our corporate clients, with the introduction of hybrid meetings using logitech, our hotels can now accommodate blended meetings.
Congratulations to Daniel, who received our June employee of the month award. Pictured with our Operations Manager Antun and our maintenance team. Well done to Daniel and the team for all their hard work.
Across the group we have been busy preparing for our summer reopening. At Galway Bay Hotel and Hodson Bay Hotel the team have designed new alfresco dining areas to accommodate outdoor dining. In Athlone we have opened our latest offering Yewpoint at Hodson Bay, an exclusive walking trail open for Hodson Bay and Sheraton Athlone Hotel guests. Our team at Hyatt Centric Dublin have been busy behind the scenes creating their guide to Dublin, including discounts for local attractions such as Heritage Sites, Museums, Distillery Tours and Food Trails.
If lockdown has taught us anything it is that we cannot get enough new food offerings to enjoy at home! Our team of chef’s created delicious ‘at home’ Brunch Boxes that are packed with fresh, homemade goodies plus smoothies, cocktails, or bubbly (depending on the occasion!). These are currently available in Sheraton, Hyatt and Galway Bay Hotel.
Hyatt Centric Dublin and Sheraton Athlone Hotel are both currently open for essential workers, while Hodson Bay Hotel and Galway Bay Hotel remain closed.
All of our hotels will be open for essential workers from the 19th of April.
Please be sure to familiarise yourselves with Government guidelines before you travel.
At Hodson Bay Group we are renowned for pulling out all the stops to wow our guests at Christmas and this year will be no different. While you might notice some changes in the way we do things the festive atmosphere and celebrations will be the same as always with safety the top priority! Our Packages include: luxurious accommodation, welcome packs on arrival, hearty breakfasts, Christmas dining and a few festive delights along the way with even a visit from Santa for the little ones! We look forward to seeing you soon.
In anticipation of level 5 restrictions coming to an end at the beginning of December we have been busy putting together some fantastic, festive offers for each of our 4 hotels. Customers can now book our pre-christmas packages which not only include luxurious bed and breakfast but also FREE extras such as spiced mulled wine, festive desserts, shopping discounts, Irish Coffees and more. Click on our sites to see more: Hodson Bay Hotel, Sheraton Athlone Hotel, Galway Bay Hotel and Hyatt Centric Dublin
Hodson Bay Group were delighted to be one of the first hotel groups in Ireland to successfully complete all necessary steps outlined in Fáilte Ireland’s COVID-19 Safety Charter, the gold standard in the Irish tourism industry when it comes to health and safety measures. To date over 400 staff across our four properties have completed Fáilte Ireland’s Infection Prevention Control training. This training followed on from additional hygiene and cleanliness training already implemented as part of our Hodson Bay Group Safe-Stay Code.
Hodson Bay Group Safe Stay Code is an enhancement of our existing Hygiene and Cleanliness procedures and includes 12 additional measures to ensure your safety and well-being when you stay with us. Read More
Open for 12 years now, in mid-February Athlone’s Harvest Café became “Harvest Homemade”. Harvest Homemade has established itself as a leading outlet in Athlone Towncentre. Its pastry, barista coffee, deli and hot food offering has made it one of Athlone’s busiest foodie outlets.
Galway Bay Hotel has reached the exciting milestone of its 21st birthday. A birthday celebration took place at the Annual Employee Appreciation Night on Sunday, 9 February at the Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone.
A special Hodson Bay Group company announcement was made at the Annual Employee Appreciation Night recently.
Hodson Bay Group Chairman, John O’Sullivan was delighted to announce that Garrett McGuinness, General Manager of Sheraton Athlone Hotel will be promoted to the position of Managing Director.
Over 300 attendees from near and far will travel to the hotel for a New Year series of the popular health and well-being event. BEO (the Irish translation for life) inspires, motivates and encourages self-care for the mind, body and soul. Guests speakers on the day include Síle Seoige, Pat Divilly, Miriam Kerins Hussey and more! The event will be MC’d by RTE 2FM breakfast show presenter, Doireann Garrihy and will include a “BEO chat” led by the event’s well-known organiser Aoibhín Garrihy.
We are thrilled and cannot wait to welcome you all in to see our beautiful 234 bedroom hotel in the heart of the Liberties.
Jason Ballard, Hyatt’s regional vice-president with Directors John O’Sullivan, Johnny O’Sullivan and Managing Director Declan Curtis.
The hard work and excellent service of the teams in Galway Bay Hotel and Hodson Bay Hotel was recognised with three award nominations in the inaugural Hotel Awards Ireland 2019. Galway Bay Hotel has been nominated for Connacht Hotel of the Year while Hodson Bay was shortlisted in the Leinster Hotel of the Year & Hotel Spa of the Year categories. The finalists were chosen following a public vote and the winners will be named at an awards ceremony in October.
With live bands, BBQ and wellies galore, Galway Bay Hotel’s third annual Wedfest Wedding Fair was back and busier than ever this September. The fun-filled, festival themed event featured dozens of Galway’s leading wedding suppliers and gave couples a chance to get a sneak peek at the exciting renovations planned for the hotel’s ballrooms this winter. If you’re planning your big day you must check it out!
Galway Bay Hotel were delighted to accept the prestigious Customer Care Award at the 2019 JCI Galway Friendly Business Awards. The awards recognise businesses that go the “extra mile” by continuing to enhance the customer experience without compromising on customer service. Galway Bay Hotel are now finalists in the National Awards taking place in October.
Pictured enjoying the inaugural Adventure Athlone corporate team challenge hosted by Sheraton Athlone Hotel in association with Dynamic Events on Thursday 15th August were Aoife McConn, Hodson Bay Hotel (centre) and Emer Nooney, Jillian Bannon, Mary Hynes and Rhona Fitzgerald from Arran Chemical. The unique urban challenge was designed to showcase the town of Athlone.
The Liberties Cultural Association has been nominated for a prestigious All-Ireland Pride of Place Award. Hodson Bay Group Commercial Director, Garry Walsh attended a recent presentation given to the Pride of Place judges and we were honoured that the Cultural Association applauded Hyatt Centric’s approach to integrating with the local community during the event.
As we busily prepare for the September launch of our newest hotel, Hyatt Centric The Liberties Dublin, we were delighted to work with the team at Joe.ie to highlight a few of the world-class attractions that will be right on the Hyatt’s doorstep. Through the World of Hyatt loyalty programme we’ll be able to share these must-see spots with an international audience of close to 15 million people!
Hodson Bay Hotel were delighted to welcome some of Ireland’s best known radio and TV personalities, journalists and social media stars including Ursula Walsh from Mom’s Fitness Diary (pictured with her husband Niall and Louise Campbell, Head of Group Marketing) to a sunny summer BBQ celebrating the launch of the all new summer offerings at Ireland’s largest lakeside resort.
This year The Spa at Hodson Bay Hotel became Ireland’s newest and finest Elemis Spa. Elemis is the world-leading luxury spa and skincare range chosen by millions of spa-goers every year.
The Sheraton Athlone Hotel are inviting all newly engaged couples to join them on Sunday 21st July from 2-5pm for a special Summer Wedding Fair on their modern and exclusive rooftop terrace, an area that is perfect for civil ceremonies and arrival drinks receptions.
The expert therapists, unbeatable treatments and world-class facilities of the Sirana Spa at the Sheraton Athlone Hotel were recognised recently when the spa reached number two in the ranking of Sheraton Hotel Spas across Europe and the Middle East.
Hodson Bay Hotel’s Wedding Garden Party on Sunday 9th June was an undeniable success attracting the biggest ever turnout for a wedding fair at the hotel. Dozens of newly engaged couples travelled from counties throughout Ireland to get a head-start on their wedding planning at one of the country’s leading lakeside venues.
Preparation for the opening of the new 234-room Hyatt Centric Hotel in The Liberties, Dublin is now well underway. Hodson Bay Group, the organisation behind the Hyatt development, stepped up the process of recruiting the 180 new employees needed to run the hotel by hosting an open recruitment day this week in the heart of the Liberties.
We are delighted to be associated with the Salthill Knocknacarra GAA Club both in their exceptional work on the pitch and within the community, which fits perfectly with Galway Bay Hotel’s own culture of respect and approach to supporting organisations locally.
Hodson Bay Group’s senior staff came together in the Galway Bay Hotel for a Leadership Training Programme with expert consultant Jarlath Duffy. Jarlath instills confidence, awareness and ability in Leaders, Managers and Teams through training, facilitation and coaching.
The team found the training very positive and supportive and plan to introduce the programme in each of their departments over the next few weeks.
The team at Galway Bay Hotel enjoyed their Annual Staff Party at Sheraton Athlone Hotel recently. On the night CEO of the Hodson Bay Group Padraig Sugrue and Managing Director of Galway Bay Hotel Dan Murphy presented the Employee of the Year award to Kirils who has worked with the company for the past 6 years. He always goes above and beyond in all he does. He is very popular with both guests and his team members.
Hodson Bay Group CEO Padraig Sugrue & General Manager of the Sheraton Athlone Hotel Garrett McGuinness presented the employee of the year 2018 award to Anne Marie. A member of the Reservations Team prior to the hotel opening in 2008, Anne Marie is a very popular member of the team. She has excellent customer care, her attention to detail is exceptional and has a lovely manner with the team and guests alike.
The team at Hodson Bay Hotel recently enjoyed the annual staff party in Galway Bay Hotel. Hodson Bay Group CEO Padraig Sugrue and Hodson Bay Hotel Managing Director Tim Hayes presented the Employee of the Year 2018 award to Joanna. Working in our carvery dept. for almost 10 years, Joanna is an exceptional member of the team. She displays all our company core values on a daily basis through the course of her duties.
One of Ireland’s top influencers Lisa McGowan better known as Lisa’s Lust List cut the ribbon on the launch of the new ‘S Bar & Bistro‘ at Sheraton Athlone Hotel. Guests on the night were able to sample some of the fabulous cocktails and new bar food created by Group Executive Head Chef Gavin O’Rourke. O’Brien’s Wine and Black Donkey beer were also on offer on the night and Lisa created the “Lisa’s Lust Cocktail” now exclusively available at Sheraton Athlone Hotel.
The team at Galway Bay Hotel were joined by Sile Seoige as well as locals and friends of the hotel to launch the brand-new Atlantic Bar and Seascape Lounge. Sile chatted to Dan Murphy, MD of the Galway Bay Hotel who has been with the hotel for the last 19 years. Some of the team shared stories from their years with the hotel and what it’s like working for Galway Bay Hotel. Guests were treated to cocktails and a selection of food from our specially designed menu while they listened to live music in the bar.
The Guinness Storehouse played host to a customer appreciation evening for the Hodson Bay Group of Hotels on Thursday 20th of September 2018. On the night Hodson Bay Group launched their brand-new hotel, The Hyatt Centric located in the heart of the Liberties, Dublin.
The Hyatt Hotel Corporation today announced that it will open its first Irish Hotel in May 2019. The Hyatt Centric Dublin, a 234 room hotel located in the Liberties, Dublin is being Developed by The Hodson Bay Group, a Hospitality and Property Development company owned by the O’Sullivan family. The Hodson Bay Group will manage the property as part of a franchise agreement.