Media Release

A new general manager is raring to tackle the challenge after being appointed at a leading hotel in Whitchurch.

Rugby fanatic Iain Gray joins the Macdonald Hill Valley Hotel, Golf and Country Club, in Tarporley Road, from the Macdonald Cardrona Hotel in Peebles in the Scottish borders.

The 34-year-old re-joined Macdonald hotels in 2005 after five years with the Marriott group.

He had previously spent eight years with Macdonald hotels and has vast experience working at properties with renowned golf courses.

Iain will be responsible for continuing to develop business at the Macdonald Hill Valley, which officially re-opened last September following a £13.5 million refurbishment and extension.

One of his first challenges will be to oversee the opening of the £1.7 million Health Club & Spa, which will create 12 new jobs at the hotel when it opens in January 2008.

Iain, who lives in Warrington, said: “The new spa is a very exciting development and will feature a 20-metre swimming pool, a thermal suite, therapy rooms and a state-of-the-art gym.

he hotel already has a great reputation for golf, with a course here for the last 36 years, and we can develop that popularity.

The redevelopment means we now offer the very latest conference facilities and can also provide a stunning setting for weddings.

Macdonald Hotels has just been named AA Hotel Group of the Year and Hill Valley was recently awarded four stars so this is a fantastic time to build on that success