In the coming weeks, Hotel Designs will be profiling the 50 finalists in the HD Brit List 2017 – this week, we continue with five more of the top 25 hoteliers…
GERALDINE MILSOM – MILSOM HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS GROUP
The history of the Milsom group can be traced back almost seven decades, which has seen the group grow into one of the premium providers of accommodation and restaurant experiences in the Essex and Suffolk area. Geraldine and Paul Milsom opened Milsoms in 2001, and having undergone a refurbishment in 2015, the property has gone from strength to strength.
As someone who could appear in either side of the Brit List, the design of the refurbishment was led by Geraldine herself, which ensured the history and aesthetics of the building were retained, all while injecting a vibrant look for the future of the property.
MARIO OVSENJAK – HOTEL GOTHAM
Mario Ovsenjak arrived at Hotel Gotham in 2016 and has led the property from strength-to-strength ever since. The property has quickly established itself as one of the most 
buzzed-about hotels in the UK under his stewardship. Having worked extensively across the Bespoke Hotels portfolio, he boasts experience leading teams at a range of fine country house properties, including The Lambert Arms in Oxfordshire, Shaftesbury’s Grosvenor Arms, as well as the Prince Regent Hotel.
Prior to this, he held positions at several London establishments, including the Corus Hyde Park Hotel, The Royal Trafalgar and Piccadilly Hotels, as well as the Colonnade and Hotel Xenia.
MAILO POWER – THE ATHENAEUM HOUSE HOTEL
The owner of Athenaeum House Hotel in Waterford, Mailo has the Irish hospitality industry very close to her heart. The Athenaeum came about as a marriage of both hotel management and interior design, with Mailo’s background being in the latter across many hospitality and leisure projects.
Together with her husband Stan, himself an accomplished hotelier, Mailo has turned this Georgian gem into one of the best hospitality offerings in Waterford and the south-east of Ireland all whilst capturing the essence, heritage and history of Ireland. Mailo’s infectious passion for the hotel industry is clear to all those who meet her.
BHARAT RAI – GRANGE TOWER BRIDGE HOTEL
Bharat has more than 10 years’ professional experience within the hospitality industry with skills across a whole host of aspects of the industry, including strategic planning, 
marketing, and sales initiatives, financial planning and analysis.
At the Grange Tower Bridge, he heads up a team of up to 250 employees and has consistently achieved against all expectations, surpassing KPI projections for revenue and guest services, and under his stewardship the hotel has become synonymous with affordable five-star luxury in the heart of the capital.
ADOLF SCHAUER – THE LANDMARK HOTEL
Adolf’s career in hospitality has taken in various aspects of the industry, from an early career in the kitchen, to financial controller to hotel manager – in both Germany and the UK. In January 2015, Adolf was appointed hotel manager at The Landmark London (having previously served as financial controller) and since, he has been responsible for the day-to-day management of the hotel and its staff, focusing on continually improving the guest experience.
His long and celebrated history in both the front-of-house operations and the financial aspect of hospitality means he has been the perfect appointment for this iconic London property and its continued place at the top table of the capital’s properties.
