Barceló offers taste of Spain to UK hotels

Barceló Hotels & Resorts is planning to introduce a Mediterranean flavour to its food and beverage (F&B) offer at its 20 UK hotels.

The Spanish hotel group took over the management of Paramount Hotels in August and plans are under way to give guests a taste of the company's home region.

With the company's website now rebranded and new signage for the hotels expected during March, chief executive Charles Prew aims to launch Barceló's revised F&B offer this summer. "Fundamentally we remain a British company giving a British welcome," he told Caterer. "This process is about introducing touches and flavours to our menus to complement rather than replace our existing offer."

The company has been working with chef Phil Vickery, who has created 20 Mediterranean dishes and a team of Barceló chefs are set to blitz kitchens to bring the brigades up to speed.

Prew expects to have at least two new dishes on hotel menus by the summer with more to follow, and the group is working to revise its drinks offer and introduce a range of healthier dishes to improve customer choice this year.

As part of the changes a "Spanish Corner" will be introduced in each hotel restaurant featuring a selection from the region, including olive oils, breads, cheeses, hams and tapas.

Prew confirmed the group would also add to its portfolio this year, although not necessarily with current property partner Dawnay Shore Hotels. "A first London site remains a key target," he said.

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