Ken McCulloch’s Unique Hotels to run airfield hotel

Malmaison and Dakota hotels founder, Ken McCulloch, is to run a new airport hotel at Farnborough, home of the annual international air show.

The Aviator hotel, which is owned by TAG Aviation, will open in late July and will comprise 150 guestrooms and 19 suites.

McCulloch’s Unique Hotels will manage the property, which has been designed by architects Hamiltons and is in the shape of a propeller.

Interiors are designed by McCulloch’s wife Amanda Rosa, who also designed the Dakota hotel brand.

Project director Nicholas Rettie previously opened and managed the Metropolitan and the Halkin hotels in London, and was most recently managing director at the Great Eastern in the capital before its takeover by Hyatt.

The Aviator’s general manager will be Michael Helling who was the former general manager at private members’ club, the Hong Kong Club.

The 100-seater brasserie and deli bar at the Aviator will use locally sourced food prepared by head chef Allan Pickett, who joins after a year at Galvin Bistrot de Luxe in London.

The hotel will also have a Sky bar with views of the runway, seven meeting rooms, a boardroom, and presentation space.

McCulloch’s Dakota hotel in Nottingham recently went into liquidation, after a dispute with investor and Formula one racer David Coulthard failed to be resolved.

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By Gemma Sharkey

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