Refurbished Folkestone Hotel Celebrates First Anniversary

A day of celebrations marked the first anniversary of an historic Folkestone hotel joining the voco group, part of IHG hotels and resorts.

Following a multimillion-pound refurbishment, voco The Clifton Folkestone welcomed hundreds of guests to showcase its newly renovated function rooms. Over the last year, both bedrooms and communal areas have been completely transformed with luxurious touches throughout the hotel.

The hotel is owned by the Managing Director of Leaf Hotels Group Kanagaratnam Rajamenon, known as Menon. He said: "A year ago, we opened our doors with a vision – to create a vibrant, welcoming space that reflects the energy, creativity, and warm hospitality of Folkestone and the wider Kent community.

"I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the entire voco Clifton team who have been on this journey with me from the beginning when we were part of Best Western. The hotel is so much more than bricks and mortar – it is passion, belief, commitment and love that pours from everyone who is part of the Clifton.

“Joining the voco family made perfect sense to us, particularly as their sustainability values align with those of Leaf Hotels Group – every voco hotel is working towards a sustainable future and that’s something we wanted to be part of.” 

To mark the anniversary, a business breakfast saw speakers from the Bank of England, LeShuttle and Folkestone and Hythe District Council deliver updates to an audience of local business people.

It was followed by a lunchtime networking event, organised by Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, which saw guests wowed by an extensive buffet and food art that included melons resembling flowers and animals carved from bread.

Ray Johnson, President of the Chamber, said: "It was a delight to be welcomed to the celebration event along with many Chamber members. The voco team, led by Menon and hotel manager Neil Lomas, are superb and a great example of how hospitality can be delivered. With new meeting rooms for the business community, the hotel will truly compliment Folkestone. As a business, they also pay attention to staff welfare, sustainability and the community, which will no doubt bring further success."

The day culminated in a celebratory party that included traditional Sri Lankan dances, ice sculptures, a huge cake and another sumptuous buffet. Debbie Johnson, Director, Operations Franchised UK & Ireland at IHG, was on hand to help Menon, his wife Anusha and son Rickesh cut a gold ribbon, signifying the official opening of the function rooms.

The evening also saw the launch of a book charting the history of the hotel, which dates back to 1864. ‘History of The Clifton Hotel’ by Deborah Jones charts the building’s journey from six separate houses built on land owned by the Earl of Radnor to the new era it enters today. 

During a speech from Menon, he announced Leaf Hotels Group had purchased Terlingham Vineyard just 24 hours earlier. The boutique vineyard, known for its green credentials, as well as its award-winning wines and spirits, is based in Hawkinge. The news was toasted with free-flowing English sparkling wine throughout the day.

Jackie Wilks, who, alongside her family, was one of Terlingham's previous owners, will be running the vineyard. She said: "Menon shares our passion for craft, sustainability, and celebrating the best of Kent. With the support of Leaf Hotels Group, we will continue to produce our fabulous, terroir-driven wines, while expanding the ways people can experience the Terlingham magic – from tastings and events to collaborations across their hotels.

"We’ll be staying true to everything people love about Terlingham wine: handcrafted, sustainable, and rooted in this wonderful corner of Kent."

Leaf Hotels Group, which also has hotels in Dover and Canterbury, places great importance on sustainability, prioritising environmental responsibility in all its planning and operations.

The new function rooms, suitable for weddings, celebrations or business meetings can hold 80 people for dinner or up to 110 for a standing reception. Located alongside the function suite is the new Bouverie Bar, which offers guests an exclusive area to enjoy bespoke cocktails and speciality gins.

Situated on the Leas Cliff, many rooms benefit from a sea view. For more information, visit www.thecliftonhotel.com

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