Malmison and Hotel du Vin return to profit

Malmaison and Hotel du Vin have retuned to profit in the six months to June, thanks to improving market conditions and tighter cost controls.

The group of 25 hotels recorded a pre-tax profit of £600,000 in the half year to 30 June, compared with a loss of £1m in 2005.

Robert Cook, chief executive of Malmaison and Hotel du Vin, credited the decision to bring the two brands under the control of one management team for improved profitability.

Turnover at the group improved 15% on a like-for-like basis, and with full contributions from the Henley Hotel du Vin and Oxford Malmaison 25% higher at £36.6m.

Cook said the company would be pushing ahead with its strategy of opening Hotel du Vin sites in locations already severed by Malmaisons, confident that their offerings and the type of customs they appealed to were different enough not to cannibalise sales.

Cities were sites have been secured for Hotel du Vins to complement Malmaisons comprise Glasgow, Newcastle and Edinburgh at present.

Hotel du Vin adds site in Cheltenham >>

One Devonshire Gardens to join Hotel du Vin >>

Manager of the Year - Robert Cook >>

By Chris Druce

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