Three Months In: My First Chapter at The George Hotel

Three months ago, I moved my family 400 miles back to Argyll and put my name, - and my heart -behind a place that means a huge amount to me. The George Hotel isn’t just a set of rooms and bars on Inveraray’s Main Street; it’s a landmark woven into family roots, community stories, and Argyll hospitality at its best. Taking it on was never going to be easy. But it has already been one of the most rewarding chapters of my career.

A Baptism of Fire (or… Fryers, Boilers, and “Why Is That Leaking?”)

If you ever want a crash course in humility, buy a 250-year-old hotel. Day one was less about grand strategy and more about:

• discovering what happens when the hot water system decides it has “had enough,”

• learning where every fuse box in Inveraray apparently lives,

• and accepting that every creak in the building has its own personality.

But this is the job. This is hospitality. You roll up your sleeves, fix what you can, find the right people for what you can’t, and keep the doors open with a smile.

The Team: The Heartbeat of the Place

If the building itself is the body, the team is the heartbeat. I’ve been blown away by their loyalty, their work ethic, and their genuine love for The George. Some have been here for years; others have joined us since the takeover. But they all share the same pride in what we’re building.

They have been incredible in helping us on our journey of building a culture of consistency, confidence, and care. Seeing the team embrace the vision has been one of the biggest wins so far.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

Behind the scenes, we’ve worked relentlessly on:

• forecasting and planning for seasonality,

• re-engineering menus,

• refining room pricing based on demand,

• and preparing long-term investment plans for FY25–27.

The George has huge potential - and the early performance shows that. We are trading well, growing steadily, and proving that the investment in people, process, and product is already paying off.

Guests: The Real Judges

It’s easy to get caught up in spreadsheets and strategy. But none of it matters if guests aren’t happy.

Seeing The George buzzing again - the bars full, the fires lit, the live music flowing on weekends, locals mixing with tourists, guests raving about their stay - that’s the real reward. Every good review feels like confirmation that the decisions we’re making are the right ones.

What We've Improved

In just three months, we’ve:

• Added a new sound system in all our public areas

• Rebuilding our website

• elevated the F&B offer, to find the best product we can

• modernised behind-the-scenes systems,

• improved consistency across service,

• and begun designing the future look and feel of the hotel.

• Replaced over 200 roof slates only for storm Amy to blow away another 100

Not everything is perfect - and it won’t be for a while. But the trajectory is exactly where we want it to be.

A Community Effort

Inveraray is a small town with a big soul. Locals have welcomed us, supported us, and offered more help and advice than we could ever have hoped for. This hotel belongs to the town as much as it belongs to us, and that’s something we’re committed to honouring.

What’s Next

The next chapter is about investment - carefully, sensibly, and with respect to the building’s heritage. There’s a long list ahead:

• rooms to refurbish,

• bars to elevate,

• systems to enhance,

• and a brand to define and modernise without losing its character.

But if the first three months have shown me anything, it’s that we’ve got the right people, the right energy, and the right community around us to make The George a standout Argyll destination for years to come.

Final Thoughts

Three months in, and I’ve never been more certain that taking on The George was the right decision. It’s hard graft, relentless at times, and full of surprises - but it’s meaningful work. Work that brings people together, preserves heritage, and creates unforgettable experiences

This is just the beginning. And I can’t wait for what’s next.

Sam