Simon Read has joined the Macdonald Portal Hotel

The new hotel manager in Cheshire is hoping to reach the top-of-the-league after eight years working just a drop kick away from the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

Simon Read has joined the Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf and Spa in Tarporley from the Vale Hotel which provides accommodation for major international and club sides playing at Wales’ national stadium.

The privately-owned four star hotel in Cardiff boasts two championship golf courses, conferencing for up to 250 and more than 5,000 leisure members.

Simon joins the Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf and Spa following its £11.8 million transformation which has led to the creation of 85 en-suite bedrooms, a fine dining restaurant, cocktail bars, conference rooms and a luxury spa.

He also spent eight years at Millennium & Copthorne Hotels, who operate 110 hotels in 17 countries around the world, where he managed four-star properties in Slough and Windsor.

Simon said he is hugely impressed by the new facilities at the Macdonald Portal and is looking forward to building the business.

This is a great chance to combine my experience in hotels, golf and leisure in one of the most beautiful parts of rural Cheshire, he said.

During the last few years in Cardiff I welcomed a number of top sports stars to the hotel, perhaps most memorably Liverpool on all five occasions they reached and won major finals at the Millennium Stadium.

Macdonald Hotels have just been awarded the AA Hotel Group of the Year and it is a pleasure to be working in such a quality environment.

The conference facilities are first-class and the hotel has already made a name for itself as a stunning wedding venue.

The championship golf courses are also renowned and there are already 750 leisure club members so there is a great foundation on which to build.

Simon’s wife and 14-year-old daughter are currently living in Cardiff but the family is now looking for a home in Cheshire and hope to settle in the area soon.

He is a keen football and rugby fan and as the manager of a hotel with two championship courses is fortunately a keen golfer.

Although I enjoy golf I always say I’m paid to ensure everyone else enjoys the facilities, so you won’t see me on the courses too often! he said.