In the hot seat with Mark Tobin from the BEST WESTERN PLUS Swan Hotel, Wells.

Here at Guestline, we love getting to know our clients and finding out more about the fantastic properties that use Guestline software. This month we have interviewed Mark Tobin, General Manager at BEST WESTERN PLUS Swan Hotel.

Describe your hotel and its facilities –  The BEST WESTERN PLUS Swan hotel is an historic, listed building. The main part of the hotel dates back to at least 1422 - the entrance to our car park is through an archway used by stagecoach drivers before the age of the steam train! Today, the hotel has 46 bedrooms, a luxurious suite and 5 self-contained apartments. Our Garden Room is licensed to hold civil wedding ceremonies and we also have a conference centre and health suite.

Describe your job in a nutshell –  As General Manager, I am ultimately responsible for running the hotel. I feel privileged to be in charge of this incredible building and I am fortunate to have such an experienced team around me. I have also worked in every department within the hotel, so I know how much hard work is involved in each role.

What’s sets your hotel apart from the rest? –  Our location. Wells is a beautiful city in the heart of Somerset and the hotel faces the magnificent West Front of the cathedral. It’s a view our guests always enjoy.

What’s your favourite thing to do in [your local area]? –  Wells is full of historic buildings, great architecture and independent shops. If I had to pick a couple of things it would be a visit to the cathedral,  a walk in the Bishop’s Palace and a stroll around the award-winning farmers’ market.

What are the first 3 things you do when you come to work? – 

1, Walk around and say good-morning to the team and ensure that there are no major issues

2, Make my morning coffee

3, Turn on my computer and check my emails.
  

If you weren’t working in the hospitality industry, what would be your dream profession? -    At the risk of sounding corny, I’ve been in the hospitality industry all my working life and I really can’t think of anything else that I would rather be doing.

What’s been your career highlight so far? -  Over the years the hotel has attracted many famous people. These have included Winston Churchill, King Henry VII and Queen Anne of Denmark. Last year, I was fortunate to welcome David Cameron to the hotel

If money were no object what would you have at your hotel? -   A spa with steam rooms (and not just for my use…)

What’s the most embarrassing thing you have done at work? 

The owner (and my team) is likely to read this so I’ll say nothing springs to mind…                   

What’s your guilty pleasure?  Haribos!

If you could describe yourself as a cocktail which one would you be and why? – 

I’m a Wells man through and through and passionate about promoting the area, so I’d design my own Somerset Special to reflect this. My cocktail would contain William Chase gin (which uses cider apples and is available on our extensive gin menu…) Somerset apple juice and perhaps water it down a touch with some Wells spring water (it’s how the city got its name).

What would you do if you won the lottery this weekend? - 

Look after the family and go on holiday to the USA. Buy a family bag of Haribos and perhaps help the hotel to build that spa!

Final say: Any special offers, insights or promotions to tempt our readers to your hotel? - 

We have three great wedding offers running;

Sunday to Thursday bookings enjoy a 10% discount on room hire and food

Winter weddings (held between October and February) can save up to £200 on room hire

Our award-winning Cathedral Suite is complimentary to the bride and groom on their wedding night if the value of the booking is £5,000 or over  

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