'No two days are never the same!' - Westgrove Hotel's new sales and marketing manager

KildareNow caught up with the new Sales and Marketing Manager of the Westgrove Hotel, Craig Kearns to hear what’s happening at the well-known Clane attraction.

Q1. Firstly, what is your previous experience in the hotel/ hospitality industry?

Craig: I have worked in the hotel industry in Ireland and overseas for 20 years, 13 of which have been in a sales role.

I have worked in the hotel industry both locally and overseas for over 23 years altogether, most of which have been in a sales role.

I learned the hotel trade in Barberstown Castle before completing my degree in DIT Cathal Brugha. Leaving college I worked overseas for vital experience, working at various stages in Dublin, Sydney, London, Lagos, Abuja, Pretoria, Cape Town, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, New Delhi and Jaipur before returning to Ireland in 2008.

I’ve held a number of roles in 4- and 5-star properties over the last ten years before joining the Westgrove in 2018.

Q2. What are the challenges/opportunities facing you in your new role?

Craig: With our new bedroom refurbishment almost complete and great plans in place for a refresh of our public bars and restaurants it will be a very busy period in the Sales and Marketing department at the hotel.

We have a lot of exciting news to deliver this year, and the challenge is to make sure our message is heard in what can be a noisy market place.

Q3. What are the unique selling points for persuading a guest to stay at the Westgrove?

Craig: Newly refurbished modern and contemporary bedrooms in a beautiful property. Wonderfully authentic Italian menu being served in our Assagio restaurant. Great choice of cocktails and craft beers in The Oak Bar. Our Leisure Club is fitted with the latest technology in fitness training with in-built touch screen TV's on each piece of equipment, a 20-metre deck pool, kiddies’ pool and steam room. At Spa Haven, using the Elemis Spa & Skincare Products, our aim is to create an atmosphere in which you can escape from the pressures of daily life.

And of course if you're planning a wedding, our unique and stylish reception areas, terraces and ballrooms provide the perfect backdrop to your most important day.

Q4. Finally, what do you like most about your new job?

What I like most about my role is that no two days are the same. At the Westgrove we work in a number of different markets. On Monday you could be working with a Chinese Tour Operator on bringing in a group, on Tuesday it might be the organiser of a dinner dance from a local club or group. Wednesday could be a conference organiser from a pharmaceutical company, Thursday a family organising a 60th Birthday Party and Friday could be a couple planning their Wedding!