A FORMER Michelin Guide inspector has been appointed as general manager of two St Mawes hotels.

Claire Randall has been appointed to The Idle Rocks and the St Mawes Hotel by owners David and Karen Richards.

She said: “I am really excited to be joining another Relais & Châteaux property in a part of the country that I love.

"I relish the opportunity to help develop the individual talents of the team and to take The Idle Rocks and St Mawes Hotel on the next stage of their journeys, with the aim of delivering David and Karen’s aspirations for their charming properties.”

Assuming the role in March, she joins from Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa after almost 20 years with the property.

Randall was Managing Director at the five-star hotel with Michelin-starred restaurant near Bath since 2010.

She brings more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, both in the UK and overseas, at prestigious properties such as Gleneagles and The Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong.

A six-year period working as an inspector for the Michelin Guide in Great Britain and Ireland lead her to the role of General Manager at Lucknam Park in 1999.

Over her tenure more than £20 million was invested in refurbishing all bedrooms and public areas, and Randall designed, developed and opened the state-of-the-art Cookery School in 2012 and a Wellbeing Centre in 2013. She was responsible for significant business growth, increasing profit by over a third last year, and developing trade with the US. Claire is a member of the Master Innholders, sits on the board of Pride of Britain Hotels and was awarded as one of the most inspirational industry figures in the Boutique Hotelier Power List 2017.

Having had a home in Cornwall for the past eight years, it has been a long ambition of Claire’s to relocate there and the position at The Idle Rocks proved the ideal opportunity.

Mr Richards added: “Claire’s wealth of experience in luxury country hotels will undoubtedly complement that of the existing team and to enable us to continue to enhance and develop the standards and service we offer our guests to ensure that The Idle Rocks and the St Mawes Hotel continue to set the standard for British coastal retreats.’’