A whole year has passed since the grand opening of the Tŷ Hotel at Milford Waterfront. We spoke to Hotel Manager Adrian Andrews about how business has been since they started trading last April.
Q. How would you sum up the past twelve months?
A. In a word… amazing! We have just been blown away by the positive response to the hotel, both from our guests and the local community. It’s been an absolute pleasure to deliver so many happy experiences and to work with so many local partners to enhance Milford Waterfront as a destination.
Q. What have been some of the highlights?
A. Our launch last Easter was a very proud moment and we were delighted to be able to hit the ground running at such a busy time. We were also very pleased to be awarded 4 stars from Visit Wales just a few weeks after opening our doors and then to be nominated for two Croeso Awards with Visit Pembrokeshire.
Q. What have your occupancy levels been like in the hotel?
A. Really good – exceeding our targets across the year. We expected the school holidays to be busy with Pembrokeshire being such a popular destination for tourists, but we have been surprised by the numbers of visitors outside of the peak seasons. The amount of business generated year-round by the Port of Milford Haven has provided us with a steady flow of corporate travellers during the week.
Q. How about the restaurant?
A. Dulse has quite rightly attracted some rave reviews and Executive Head Chef Simon Crockford has really put his stamp on the menu. As a former Wales National Chef of the Year, Sy has brought amazing experience from the Celtic Manor Resort back home to his native Pembrokeshire and has been excited to create dishes using the amazing seafood and other fantastic produce that is so readily available in the area. We have been delighted at how Dulse has established itself as a destination restaurant for foodies here in Pembrokeshire.
Q. Have you got involved in the community since you opened?
A. We have really enjoyed getting involved in the local community – sponsoring the rugby team shirts at Milford Comprehensive School and we have also supported the Round Table Beer Festival, the Fire Festival, the Pembrokeshire County Show, Haverfordwest County FC and the Long Course Weekend. Just recently we were proud to sponsor the match ball for Hakin United FC. But most of all it has been about meeting and working with neighbouring businesses to make the most of the fantastic community spirit here.