There are celebrations at a luxury Gloucestershire hotel as two of its most senior and influential staff members have surpassed a decade of service – highlighting the pedigree of talent and progression opportunities on offer.
Stonehouse Court Hotel, near Stroud – named the best place to live in the UK by The Times in 2021 – prides itself on offering Cotswolds retreats for both leisure and business stays – as well as retaining some of the best talent in the industry.
General Manager, Maz Jurko, and Operations Manager, Dominic Weager, have both been at the 17th-century manor house hotel for 10 years this month, with more than two decades’ worth of extensive hotel know-how and a strong, supportive network of staff behind them.
The tandem, who bounce off each other and whose teamwork has taken the hotel’s offering to new heights, will continue to help ensure the highest standards are maintained across the iconic venue, ensuring consistency and quality for the next ten years and beyond.
Collectively, the pair have played an integral role in the hotel’s commitment to implementing sustainable procedures – with several eco-friendly initiatives utilised throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
To date, the 36-bed hotel has committed to installing new energy-efficient boilers, using 100% renewable electricity. In addition, local suppliers are championed, with a range of local produce being both stocked in the bar and served via the restaurant. Efficient recycling and waste minimisation schemes are also in place, as well as a flagship on-site bottling system for the hotel’s water needs.
Reflecting on his time in hospitality, Maz said, “Mine and Dom’s time at Stonehouse Court has been a complete and utter whirlwind! Having both begun our journeys in food & beverage, we’ve encountered similar experiences in the hospitality sector – which have definitely helped mould us into who we are today.
“From the first moment I was in the kitchen 25 years ago, I instantly fell in love with the vibe of the hospitality industry. It’s been an amazing experience and one that has definitely been aided by having Dom as my right-hand man. I couldn’t think of anyone better to share this incredible landmark with.”
Similarly to Maz, Dominic began his career in hospitality as a Food & Beverage Assistant, quickly rising to Restaurant Manager before progressing to the overall running of the hotel and day-to-day operations.
Commenting on his ten-year journey, Dominic said: “No two days are the same in this industry, and that is part of what keeps it fresh and exciting – sometimes we have to expect the unexpected! Both Maz and I understand and appreciate the array of challenges that come into play each and every day, which enables us to work effectively in a like-minded fashion.”
Dominic continued, “Almost everyone appreciates the difficulties that the hospitality industry has faced in the two years, and the impact has been obvious. However, Stonehouse Court is currently in a strong position with several exciting upcoming projects, great staff and a healthy dose of optimism for the future.
'This wouldn’t be possible without our shared passion, commitment and drive to lead us out of such an unprecedented period. Looking ahead, our collective mission for the coming months is to create a positive culture where we can re-establish the basic art of hospitality in an uncomplicated way.”
Sarah Brewster, Director at Stonehouse Court, concluded, “Maz, Dominic and I work very closely together on a weekly basis, so to see their professional growth first-hand over the past ten years has been incredible.
'All future strategic goals and objectives are set and worked on together, which creates a culture of passionate, dedicated people all striving to continuously evolve and improve all aspects of the business. The future of Stonehouse is an exciting one.”