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FH Stories | The Burlington Hotel
Since 1893, The Burlington Hotel has been a part of the fabric of Folkestone, and for the last 26 years the hotel has been under the ownership of Daniel Sangiuseppe and his family.
From a £2 million renovation to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Daniel shared with us The Burlington Hotel’s story and why its location in Folkestone is fantastic for those looking to visit, live and work.
As part of its regeneration, The Burlington Hotel received a top-to-toe refurbishment to bring it to a 4-star standard. “The guestrooms and suites, public areas, conference and banqueting facilities and the restaurant and bar, all saw the benefit of the renovation” Daniel shares. “We are a very eco-conscious family and business, which is why we decided that the refurbishment should be eco-friendly wherever possible, including vegan menus at the Bay Tree Bar & Grill, man-made fabrics used throughout the hotel, and animal-friendly toiletries.”
During the renovation the family chose to combine modern 21st century amenities and style, with characteristics of the hotel’s 19th century heritage. “We wanted to honour the hotel’s charm and character, whilst giving our guests those latest mod cons you’d expect.”
As with many hotels across the UK, The Burlington Hotel closed its doors in March as per Government advice to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. Daniel commented, “On the Monday after the closures were announced we immediately conducted final safety checks across the hotel, and then closed our doors and transferred staff onto furlough, which was a great relief.
“In preparation to reopen, we put new procedures, cleaning standards and training in place, to help reassure guests and rebuild their confidence to visit us. Customer safety and experience is of the utmost importance, so we have introduced new measures to help reduce touch points, including digital check-ins and 24-hour communications with our team via WhatsApp.”
When looking to the future, Daniel shares, “We are currently working on our plans for 2021 and how to rebuild and capitalise on it. There are many major events that have been postponed, including The Open Golf and Folkestone Triennial, as well as many special occasions and events held at the hotel itself. At the moment it looks to be a more positive year, and we look forward to welcoming back all guests and visitors we had hoped for this year.”
When discussing Folkestone, Daniel explains why he is so passionate about the destination, “We know the area extremely well and very much feel part of Folkestone and its amazing community. It is an extraordinary place.
“From fantastic accommodation, a great food and drink scene and picturesque natural spaces; from the coast to the countryside, there is so much Folkestone offers which makes it an idyllic staycation destination or cost-effective place to live and work.”
When asked about what makes The Burlington Hotel special to him, Daniel shares, “The Bay Tree is very close to my brother and I. We wanted to create a space that was cool and trendy, had a focus on locally sourced food and drink, as well as a space where people want to go to celebrate their special occasions”. Daniel continues, “We are really excited of what we have created, and it is lovely to be a part of our guest’s special moments.
“The hotel has gone through many hands in its time, and we feel proud, privileged and honoured to currently be at the helm. We look forward to the next stage in its chapter as the district goes through its own resurgence and regeneration.”
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