#204 - Hospitality Meets Linden Beattie - From RAF Dreams to Hospitality Scenes

Hospitality Meets... with Phil Street

Welcome to an hilarious and insightful episode of Hospitality Meets! In this episode I got to sit down with Linden Beattie, the lively General Manager of Downhall Hotel, Spa, and Estate and AA Hotel of the Year 2024🌟🌟🌟

Get ready for a rollercoaster ride through Linden's journey from aspiring RAF recruit to hospitality aficionado, peppered with laughs, wisdom, and eye-opening industry insights.

Episode Highlights:

1. The Unexpected Career Turn:

• 🌟RAF Rejection:

Discover how an 18-year-old Linden, on the brink of signing a nine-year RAF contract, had a life-changing epiphany while working front-of-house. Spoiler: It involves discovering a newfound love for hospitality and ditching military drills for hotel thrills.

• 🏨
• Pretty Woman Dreams:

Phil and Linden bond over childhood fantasies inspired by movie hotels, though Phil’s practical experiences at his family's small Scottish hotel didn’t quite match the silver screen's allure.

2. Hilarious & Heartfelt Hospitality Tales:

• 😂
• Hotel Humour at Its Finest:
• Laugh along with Linden as he recalls the North Wales hotel owner who had a unique way of handling unruly guests—a true testament to the adage "the customer is always the customer, not always right."
• 👩‍🍳
• From KP to GM:
• Ease into the comical yet earnest recollections of Linden's humble beginnings as a kitchen porter at age 11. This foundational role prepared him for the diverse, sometimes dramatic stages of hotel management.

3. Career Challenges & Comedic Solutions:

• 🌍
• Big Moves & Bigger Lessons:
• Follow Linden's daring decisions to move from cosy hotels to large resorts. Learn how his role at Cambridge Quy Mill Hotel brought not just challenges but opportunities to shine, leading to inventive PR strategies involving music events that outshined traditional campaigns.
• 🎵
• Musical Masterstrokes:
• Linden’s innovative idea to swap a hefty PR budget for local music nights was a hit! Listen to how these free-entry community events turned into sell-out successes, proving sometimes the best publicity is homegrown and heartfelt.

4. Personal & Professional Growth:

• 🌱
• Nurturing Environments:
• Dive deep into discussions on the importance of supportive, nurturing work settings in shaping and retaining hospitality talent. Linden’s transition from toxic kitchen environments to spaces that fostered trust and confidence reveal the industry’s dual nature.
• 📈
• Leadership Evolution:
• Learn about Linden's transformation from micromanager to a collaborative leader. His “1:3:1 problem-solving rule” shifted his team towards independent thinking and collective solutions, paving the way for smoother operations and happier staff.

5. Downhall Delights:

• 🍸
• Estate Innovations:
• Unveil the wonders at Downhall, where Linden’s team distils their own gin and vodka, cultivates honey, and offers exclusive handpicked teas. Upcoming projects like a new kitchen garden dining concept and a woodland spa hint at exciting future ventures.
• 🏆
• Award-Winning Excellence:
• Celebrate Downhall winning the AA Hotel of the Year award. Hear how this accolade has boosted morale and business, alongside tales of the team’s dedication and the owner’s unwavering support.

Join Phil and Linden as they blend humour, heartfelt moments, and hospitality wisdom into an episode that promises to entertain while offering valuable insights. Perfect for industry insiders and enthusiasts alike!

Be sure to subscribe to Hospitality Meets and never miss an episode brimming with compelling stories and industry secrets.

Got a hospitality story to share? Connect with us on social media and join the conversation!

The Guest

Linden Beattie - https://www.linkedin.com/in/linden-beattie-3ab23a91/

Downhall Instagram - down_hall

Show Partners

A big shout out to Today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.

RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.

It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.

Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil

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