One of Liverpool's most popular hotel managers is making a return to the city at the helm of a new-style venture.
Gary Laird, 43, will manage the base2stay Liverpool hotel when it opens in the Ropewalks area of the city this summer, adding a new dimension to the city's hospitality scene.
It will be the second base2stay boutique hotel in the country, following the first which opened in London’s Kensington in 2006.
Gary, who lives locally with his wife and three children, returns to Liverpool after a bried spell managing a hotel in Preston.
Prior to that he spend eight years at the Holiday Inn Liverpool City Centre where he made a reputation as one of the most dynamic hotel managers in the North West.
His main focus will initially be on raising awareness of the hotel among the city’s decision-makers.
base2stay is a unique boutique hotel concept with no dining or bar facilities.
It instead acts as an “economic multiplier” for local businesses by offering guests exclusive discounts at surrounding restaurants, bars, clubs, takeaways and cultural venues.
Gary said: “A lot of hotels falter when they try to become experts at everything. We understand what guests expect from a fantastic hotel room but we are happy to leave it to the experts in other areas to look after the food and entertainment.
“In doing so, we encourage our guests to get out and explore the city and put money back into the local economy, so everyone benefits.”
Gary achieved a Masters in Leisure and Tourism from Liverpool John Moores University in 2005 and now teaches on the course on an occasional basis.
Robert Nadler, chief executive of base2stay, said: “Liverpool was the obvious choice for our second hotel. The city is going through a transformation and the opportunity to be part of that process was irresistible.”
base2stay Liverpool is located in a former print works dating from the 1850s and is currently undergoing a £14m comprehensive redevelopment into a 106 room, four star hotel with prices per room starting from £60, including VAT.
Each room will include a mini kitchen, air conditioning and complimentary wi-fi.
For more information about base2stay, visit www.base2stay.com
Larry Harding, Wirral around 1 year, 11 months ago