Macdonald Hotels are planning new bars and restaurants in a £30m refurbishment programme at over half of its 60 UK hotels. The investment in food beverage is part of a 2 year strategy designed to redefine the group as a leading 4 star hotel, at the same time re-emphasising its Scottish roots.

‘We are working hard to offer a consistent service but also want to ensure that we allow each property the opportunity to show a little of its own individuality’, said catering director Simon Crichton. Macdonalds have for example recently changed its breakfast menu, introducing local Scottish produce such as Stornoway black puddings. Other changes will follow. ‘We are supporting local suppliers and ensuring that everyone who stays at a Macdonalds Hotel across the country can enjoy a little bit of Scotland’ , Crichton added.

Macdonalds are planning to spend £3m on the food and beverage areas at their new Sheffield city centre hotel, due to open autumn 2005. Other properties which will see investment include Botley Park in Southampton, the Castle in Windsor, its near neighbour the Berystede in Ascot, Brandon Hall in Coventry and the Dunkenhalgh in Blackburn – plus in Scotland, the Marine Hotel Berwick and the Inchyra in Falkirk.

Paradoxically, whilst Macdonalds were making their announcement, the AA Hotel Guide was publishing its view of the average hotel breakfast. They are not impressed. Kim Winter, guide editor claims ‘Britain used to have a reputation for its great breakfasts, but now the quality at many UK hotels is poor. And, as hotels in this country are generally not cheap, guests should be getting better value for money’. It would appear that the AA has belatedly discovered what regular hotel users have known for years.