Philip Newman-Hall and Le Manoir win
at Catey Awards 2011

Philip Newman-Hall, Director/General Manager of Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons and key members of the team were delighted to be presented with the ‘Hotel of the Year – Group’ Award at the Cateys 2011 (Caterer & Hotelkeeper’s annual hospitality awards) held at Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London last night.

Philip Newman-Hall was also presented with the ‘Manager of the Year’ Award.

The Hotel of the Year – Group Award – is awarded to a hotel that has demonstrated excellence in its chosen market, providing consistency of experience and service, a high level of memorable achievements as well as being a highly successful business with a healthy balance sheet.

Since opening in 1984 and under the keen eye of Raymond Blanc, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons has achieved the highest awards of any restaurant and country house hotel in Great Britain and is regarded as one of the very best in Europe. One of the few restaurants in the world to retain 2 Michelin stars for 27 years, Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons remains a Mecca for gourmets the world over.  

The judges, who included Gordon Campbell Gray, chairman, Campbell Gray Hotels, Andrew McKenzie, managing director, the Vineyard Group and Marvin Rust global managing partner, hospitality, Deloitte were particularly impressed by the fact that over the past 27 years, Blanc and his team have worked tirelessly to make le Manoir a destination in its own right.

Raymond Blanc, Chef Patron, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons commented:

“My vision was and still is to strive for perfection – to create a centre of excellence, a modern classic,  a place to celebrate life, love and oneself.  My heart, at this moment is a mixture of pure joy and abject grief!    Inexplicable joy that we have been awarded this wonderful award and extreme sadness that I am not in the UK at the moment so am unable to be with my team celebrating this tremendous accolade.

"It is wonderful for me to receive this award on behalf of the whole team at Le Manoir. Of all the awards we have won, it is surely the best,  proving how possible it is to bring hotel and cuisine onto an equal footing with a tremendous amount of hard work, passion and talent.  As a self taught chef, this makes me almost burst with pride knowing just how much we have achieved!

"Since 1984 it has always been the vision to create a restaurant and hotel which is in total harmony when it comes to excellence.  The journey has been an exhilarating one – there have been tears as well as joy – but we have stuck through it and continued to strive ever forwards towards that most elusive of concepts – perfection.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank my whole team who I am so very proud of and who have been absolutely incredible in striving towards reaching the dream with me.

As Vice President of Orient-Express Hotels,” (Blanc oversees food, concept and design at key Orient-Express properties around the world); “I would also like to extend my thanks to Paul White, President and CEO, Orient-Express and Filip Boyen, Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Orient-Express Hotels as well as the worldwide group who have always supported me in every single initiative that I have undertaken.

“There is still so much to be done – modern classics always take time and we have huge plans to keep improving our guest experience.”



The panel of judges unanimously voted to name Philip Newman-Hall ‘Manager of the Year’. They were particularly impressed with his ability to nurture staff, command the admiration and respect of his boss, renowned chef Raymond Blanc, and have a direct impact on the success of Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons.

Newman-Hall first joined Raymond Blanc in 1999 having impressed him with his sense of purpose and motivational skills. In 2004, he left to take on fresh challenges however was invited back to Le Manoir by Blanc in 2009. Within a year of Newman-Hall being back at the helm, he boosted room occupancy from 66% to 77% and turnover increased by more than £1m, despite the recession.

Newman-Hall has also introduced a number of new initiatives designed to develop staff including an annual appraisal system for all members of staff and an offsite meeting for senior managers at the end of the business year to discuss objectives for the year ahead. This is usually followed by a surprise trip to show his appreciation for his team’s hard work. Newman-Hall also plays an active role in the hospitality industry at large by supporting an array of academic partnerships including the ‘Adopt a School’ scheme.

Philip Newman-Hall commented:

“I am thrilled to have received this award and would like to share it with my outstanding team.  It is such an honour to work alongside Raymond Blanc at Le Manoir and my team and I will continue to work hard to maintain Le Manoir’s impeccable standards and ensure that each and every guest has an unforgettable stay.”

Raymond Blanc, OBE Chef / Patron of Le Manoir added:

“Philip and I have always worked closely together on each project.  He understands the vision that drives Le Manoir and is able to help realise those dreams. These qualities make him a brilliant hotelier and a unique general manager. I am extremely proud to have him leading my team and look forward to working with him for many years to come.”

Raymond Blanc's new book, Kitchen Secrets, featuring recipes from Kitchen Secrets Series 1 & 2 and many more, was published by Bloomsbury on 14 February and is available to buy online from Amazon, from Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, Brasserie Blanc, Maison Blanc, and from online and retail bookstores.

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