A LAUGHARNE hotel has made two new appointments as part of its strategic growth plans.

The Corran Resort & Spa, which celebrates its first year in business this month (February), has appointed Andrew King as CEO and Rui Araujo as assistant manager.

The boutique hotel is embarking on a major growth phase in 2014 which will include additional suites, an extension to the spa and a recording studio.

Mr King brings more than 15 years experience in the hotel and hospitality sector. He has has held roles in many prestigious London hotels, including The Cadogan Hotel in Knightsbridge, The Dorchester and Cliveden.

He has also worked extensively throughout South East Asia and the Middle East, having managed hotels in Sri Lanka, Kuala Lumpur and Oman.

For the last eight years, he has been the general manager at the Sharrow Bay Hotel, Cumbria, successfully maintaining its two AA Rosettes and three AA Red Star status, which are awarded to the most outstanding hotels.

The hotel’s restaurant held a Michelin Star for 13 years and was the oldest British member of Relais & Châteaux.

Mr King said: “I’m joining The Corran at an exciting time for the hotel, and for west Wales as a whole, as we gear up to celebrate the Dylan Thomas Centenary and welcome guests from all over the UK and overseas.

“It’s a great opportunity to put The Corran on the map and I intend to showcase this beautiful and tranquil resort to its fullest potential.

“In the short term, my main focus is to achieve consistent service delivery within each department by developing a bespoke training programme.”

Mr Araujo honed his skills in catering and hospitality while working at 5* hotels, restaurants and cruise ships in his native Portugal.

He moved to England in 2001 and held restaurant manager positions in a number of high-profile 4* hotel and golf resorts, before joining The Corran in its former incarnation as Hurst House Hotel in 2012.

The Corran Resort & Spa owner Peter Burnett said: “Andrew’s appointment as CEO will ensure that The Corran develops as one of the UK’s leading boutique hotels, while Rui’s experience both here, and at other top resorts, will be invaluable in driving forward our unique product.