2024 Year End Highlights
As we approach the end of 2024, we want to share our heartfelt Season’s Greetings with all our guests, colleagues, suppliers, shareholders, and supporters from this past year. Your support has been invaluable to our journey -thank you for being a part of it.
Join us in taking a moment to reminisce and enjoy some of our 2024 highlights.
Fáilte Ireland’s 2024 Employer Excellence Accredited
For the second year in a row, we’re delighted to achieve the Failte Ireland ‘Employer Excellence - Gold Outstanding Employer’ accreditation, across PREM Group Ireland.
The Fáilte Ireland Employer Excellence Programme is a super initiative for the hospitality industry - together we can build a reputation for providing solid and rewarding career paths in a positive working environment.
The 2024 Gold Accreditation was received across the PREM Ireland Region through Fáilte Ireland’s Employer Excellence Programme:
Aspect Hotel Park West
Cahernane House Hotel
Osprey Hotel
PREMIER SUITES Ireland
The Hoban Hotel
Viking Hotel
PREM Hospitality (Ireland)
PREM Group (Ireland)
Trinity Hotel Groups
Premier Business Centres
Sprint Digital
Rate Wise
In addition, and for the second year of Fáilte Ireland’s Employer Excellence Awards, both PREM Group and Aspect Hotel Park West have retained the leading spot in the ‘Best Hotel Group Employer’ and ‘Best Medium Sized Employer’ categories.
PREM Group Listed Among the 30 Best Workplaces in Ireland
PREM Group achieved 17th place in ‘Ireland’s Best Large Workplaces 2024 (301+ Employees)’.
Ireland's Best Workplaces™ 2024 is the list recognising the top Great Places to Work Certified™ organisations this year in Ireland, of all sizes and industry sectors.
PREM Group has been recognized within the top 30 organisations categorized as large businesses. Using the global standard Best Workplaces™ methodology as its basis the selection process for the listing considers results from the Great Places to Work Trust Index © Survey combined with an assessment of company culture.
PREM Group Amongst Best Workplaces™ for Women 2024
We were recognised in the Best Workplaces™ for Women 2024 listings - we strive to create positive and supportive workplaces for women.
Louise Barry, our HR Manager, was invited as a guest speaker on the Best Workplaces™ for Women panel held in Dublin.
Joanna Doyle, Group Sales & Marketing Manager, featured in Ireland's Best Workplaces for Women 2024 report. Joanna shared an insightful account of her career to date since joining PREM Group 27 years ago!
PREM Group Listed Among the 50 Best Workplaces™ for Health & Wellbeing
We were delighted to be included on the inaugural list of Best Workplaces™ for Health & Wellbeing 2024 in Ireland.
This achievement not only highlights our commitment to promoting physical health and wellbeing but also underscores our dedication to providing comprehensive support, including psychological support, and ensuring safety, for our team members.
Our inclusion on the Best Workplaces™ for Health & Wellbeing list inspires us to continue investing in an environment that promotes the good health, safety and wellbeing of all team members.
PREM Group included on the list of Best Workplaces™ in Hospitality 2024
We were thrilled to be included on the list of Best Workplaces™ in Hospitality 2024 in Ireland.
Ireland's Best Workplaces™ in Hospitality is a recognition compiled by Great Place to Work Ireland, acknowledging businesses that are dedicated to cultivating exceptional cultures for their employees in the hospitality industry.
This achievement highlights the entire team’s commitment to creating an outstanding work environment for each other. As a group of colleagues, we are conscious that respect and being mindful of each other are cornerstone values that nurture a cohesive and motivated team.
Great Place to Work - PREM Group Ireland and UK
We are absolutely delighted to share the news that PREM Group Ireland and UK has achieved Great Place to Work Certification™. A collective trust index of 85% is something to be very proud of!
While this is the third year our Irish division has celebrated this achievement, we’re delighted to have this award extend to the UK for the first time.
This is testament to the efforts of every single team member, across all properties and businesses in each of the regions, who seeks to create work environments of respect, trust and camaraderie.
In the coming weeks we will be analysing the data seeking opportunities to learn from our collective response. In the meantime, we’ll take a moment to reflect on a truly superb achievement – congratulations to everyone on the PREM team!
PREM Group launches Annual Charity Event
We launched our inaugural Charity Event in aid of our nominated charity Beyond the Moon.
In previous years, our annual Charity Golf Day was our main fundraising event for Beyond the Moon. However, for 2024 the launch of our two-week fundraising campaign saw our PREM Group properties and companies across Ireland, the UK, Belgium, and the Netherlands hold a variety of fundraising activities to raise money locally, including cycleathons, charity walks and hikes, bake sales, collection buckets, carwashes, raffles, a quiz night, jersey days, walk-to-work days, sponsored cycle races, and guess the baby competition.
At the end of the two weeks, Pascale Somers – Manager of Beyond the Moon – along with our CEO Jim, hosted an online video call with all teams from across PREM Group hotels and companies.
During the call, we were delighted to announce that our first joint and large-scale Charity Event together with the Charity Golf Day, raised €39,000! Combined with all funds raised by PREM Group, since the start of our collaboration with Beyond the Moon in 2006, our total fundraising efforts now amount to €311,557 – enough to send 73 families on the holiday of a lifetime. Saying we are thrilled and absolutely over the moon with the funds raised for our preferred charity Beyond the Moon would be an understatement.
Thank you to all our teams who organised fundraising events, read more about our events on our charity event blog.
Tour de PREM
Taking place virtually in all our locations across Ireland, the UK, Belgium, and The Netherlands with volunteers from across PREM Group pledging to walk, run, cycle, and swim to all 32 PREM locations, totalling 2,450km.
Charity Hike
Volunteers from our team hiked Crone Woods - Maulin Mountain Loop, enjoying views of Powerscourt Waterfall and panoramic views into Gencree.
Charity Golf Day
In previous years, our annual Charity Golf Day was the highlight of our fundraising efforts for Beyond the Moon. This year, after two weeks of fundraising, the Charity Golf Day on 13th June served as our penultimate event. This spectacular day alone raised an incredible €18,000, all of which will go directly to Beyond the Moon.
Quiz Night
Held in Green Park Brugge, our Continental Europe team saw 28 teams participate and win some amazing prizes on the night.
Aspect Hotel Park West
Steps challenge equivalent to walking from Mizen Head to Mallen Head.
PREMIER SUITES Dublin
Inhouse raffle with guests and staff.
Cahernane House Hotel
Climbed Cardiac Hill in Killarney.
Osprey Hotel
Coffee morning / bake sale.
Raffle and Jersey Day.
Leisure Blub journeyed ‘around the moon’ by walking, running, cyclingand rowing.
Hoban Hotel
Management and Senior Team will “Walk to Work Day“ totalling 150km+
Viking Hotel Waterford
Static Cycle from Cahernane House Hotel to Head office, taking in all PREM properties in Ireland totalling 454Km.
PREMIER SUITES UK
Guess the sweets in the jar.
Corporate evenings with raffles, prizes, quizzes and entertainment.
Teams volunteered to partake in steps challenges, with prizes on offer for sponsors.
Leopold Hotel Sheffield
Bake sale.
Steps challenge equivalent to walking from Leopold Hotel Sheffield to head office.
Viking Hotel Waterford Unveils Newly Renovated Guest Rooms
39 exquisite new guest rooms were unveiled at Viking Hotel Waterford, designed by the celebrated architect Hugh Wallace. Renowned for his impeccable taste and beautiful designs, Wallace has previously transformed the ground floor lobby, bar, and restaurant, and now brings his touch of elegance and sophistication to our guest accommodation.
Each room features bespoke artwork that beautifully incorporates local landmarks and places of interest, providing a meaningful connection to Waterford's rich heritage. The centrepiece of these luxurious rooms is a plush king-size bed, adorned with crisp white bedding that promises an unparalleled night's sleep. Modern necessities are seamlessly integrated, with conveniently placed USB ports for device charging.
PREMIER SUITES wins at 2024 Serviced Apartment Awards
Our PREMIER SUITES team joined fellow serviced apartment providers at the 2024 Serviced Apartment Awards.
Known as the ‘Oscars of the industry’, the awards celebrate the serviced apartment, aparthotel, extended stay and short term rental industries.
A truly unforgettable evening, bringing the best of the best together to celebrate the amazing achievements from the serviced apartment industry.
Winner: Rising Star - Elizaveta Komarova, PREMIER SUITES Dublin
Winner: Best property 71+ units - PREMIER SUITES Amsterdam
Shortlisted: Team of The Year - Global Sales Team
Irish Hotel Awards
The Irish Hotel Awards celebrate the commitment and dedication of the hospitality industry in Ireland.
We are delighted that the Osprey Hotel has been recognised for going above and beyond to ensure outstanding guest experiences.
Huge congratulations to our incredible team members:
· Abhishek Tiwari – Leinster Chef of the Year
· Patrick Walsh – Events Manager of the Year, Leinster
· Beata Tuohy – Revenue Manager of the Year
And we couldn’t be prouder of the hotel’s recognitions:
· Family Friendly Hotel of the Year – Leinster
· Local Hotel of the Year – Winner
· Spa Experience of the Year – Leinster
TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award
TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2024 – an international recognition based on the reviews, ratings and feedback from guests – was awarded 5 of our properties in 2024. The award is given to properties who consistently earn great reviews from travellers, based on reviews and ratings collected over the past 12 months – real opinions, real experiences and real travellers.
Well done to all those recognised:
Aspect Hotel Park West - Accredited Green Tourism Gold
Aspect Hotel Park West has been awarded Gold Accreditation with Green Tourism, a globally recognised certification programme which audits the commitment of tourism businesses who are actively working to become more sustainable.
The hotel is proud to offer a low carbon footprint of just 1.32kg of CO2-e per guest night, significantly lower than the 29.71kg of CO2-e international hotel benchmark.
Commenting on the award, Andrea Wallace, General Manager said “We are delighted to have been awarded Gold Accreditation with Green Tourism in recognition of our sustainability efforts. This was truly a team effort, which we continue to improve and learn from through our everyday operations.”
PREM Ovation Awards 2024
PREM Group held its annual PREM Ovation Awards events in Ireland and the UK.
The events celebrated the many successes of the last 12 months and recognised the great contribution of teams and individuals across PREM Group businesses and divisions.
Our Irish highlights can be found here.
While our UK highlights are here.
2024 ASAP Awards
Our PREMIER SUITES brand was shortlisted in 5 categories in the 2024 ASAP Awards.
The Association of Serviced Apartment Providers represents and unites the serviced accommodation sector to provide a safe, inclusive, and modern industry that prioritizes customer service and quality assurance.
We were delighted to bring home 3 awards on the night:
Best Brand Campaign Award – Life at PREMIER SUITES
General Manager of the Year - Tom Vermerris, Area General Manager in Amsterdam and Rotterdam
Guest Services Team of the Year - PREMIER SUITES Dublin
PREMIER SUITES were also shortlisted in 2 categories:
Best Sustainability Initiative
Best Place to Work
Irish Hotel Federations Nomination for Employee of the Year
Every year, we have the honour of nominating team members for the IHF for Employee of the Year Awards with the regional winner representing the regional branch’s in the all-Ireland competition.
This year our nominees are:
South East Branch: Elaine Woodgate, F&B Supervisor, the Hoban Hotel.
South East Branch: Louise Prendergast, Sales Executive, Viking Hotel.
Kerry Branch: Hayden Coffey, F&B Supervisor, Cahernane House Hotel.
Dublin Branch: Ana Postolachi, Reception, Aspect Hotel Park West.
Midlands Branch: Emma Sharpe, Hearld & Devoy Restaurant, Osprey Hotel
Waterford Chamber of Commerce Business Awards 2024
Viking Hotel Waterford was honoured to be shortlisted in the Waterford Business awards in the category for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Workplace Excellence.
Although not overall winner on the night, we’re over the moon to have been shortlisted.
PREMIER SUITES wins ‘Excellence in Safety and Security’ at The Altos
The Altos Awards, now in its 5th year, proudly recognises and celebrates the most innovative hospitality operators in the corporate accommodation industry, who embody the highest standards of quality.
We were delighted to bring home an award for ‘Excellence in Safety and Security’.
At PREMIER SUITES, our guests’ and team members’ safety and security is paramount. We take pride in our proactive approach to risk management, implementing robust fire safety and health protocols across all properties to ensure a safe and secure environment.
PREMIER SUITES Liverpool - Highly commended BID award
Over the past few months over 120 Liverpool businesses were visited by expert Mystery Shoppers at Proinsight, from coffee shops to opticians, national retailers to independent restaurants, evaluating Liverpool’s customer service.
The Annual Mystery Shop Awards bring together all of the outstanding businesses that each scored over 90% in their Mystery Shop visit this year.
PREMIER SUITES Liverpool was highly commended as ‘Best Overnight Stay of the Year’ – selected from all the Hotels and Serviced Apartments in Liverpool.
PREMIER SUITES was shortlisted for two amazing Synergy Housing Awards
PREMIER SUITES has been shortlisted for not just one but TWO amazing Synergy Global Housing Awards.
The Synergies EMEA Diversity & Sustainability Programme of the Year 2024
This prestigious award recognises our commitment to protecting the environment and a dedication to using eco-friendly materials and products throughout our apartments.
The Synergies EMEA Collaboration of the Year 2024
Highlighting an insatiable curiosity and desire to build for tomorrow to help improve Synergy processes, procedures, and products. Presented to those who are creative, inspired and show a remarkable level of care in delivering guest service excellence.
LIFT
PREM Group are proudly partnered with LIFT – a non-profit initiative that aims to help positive leadership and personal development within our personal and working lives!
In February 2024 we launched LIFT in the United Kingdom where 26 of our team joined roundtables and continued its success in Ireland.
Some of the team had previously participated in LIFT, but the great thing about LIFT it is something we can repeat regularly and gain the benefits each time.
The Benefits
You will get to meet colleagues both from your own property and across the group.
Time out in a non-judgmental format to really reflect on important values.
Opportunities to set small action goals for the coming week to help you improve your personal leadership skills.
At PREM Group, personal development is important to us and our teams, and we believe everyone has the potential for positive leadership given the opportunity to nurture this skill.
LIFT is an eight-part, group learning Programme and is based on eight key leadership themes:
Listening
Positive Attitude
Competence
Honesty & Integrity
Dedication & Determination
Respect
Empathy & Understanding
Accountability
Other Notable Achievements/Group Updates:
Osprey Hotel was shortlisted in the Diversity, Equality & Inclusion category of the Kildare Chamber Business Awards for the second year running.
Cahernane House Hotel won ‘Best Hotel’ in the Killarney Looking Good Awards.
Huge congratulations to our colleague John Paul at the Viking Hotel Waterford who won gold as a member of the Special Olympic Munster Hockey Team in Belfast earlier this year, we are so proud of JP and his achievements.
17 colleagues from across our Irish properties and central office attended the Waterford Chamber Skillnet Graduate Accelerator Programme. This is the fourth year PREM Group has attended the programme - where our teams gained a range of critical skills for managers including Emotional Intelligence, Resilience, and Effective Communication skills, amongst others. Congratulations to all the team on your graduation and well done for your commitment to the sessions over six months.
We’re thrilled to announce the launch of the latest initiative at PREMIER SUITES, "Suite Little VIPs." Designed to cater to their youngest guests, this new initiative promises to make family travel more convenient and enjoyable. And best of all, it’s free of charge!
Our teams from across Ireland, the UK, and Continental Europe once again were delighted to get involved in the #lotsofsocks campaign for World Down Syndrome Day 2024! This year we asked our team members to ‘rock their socks’ and for every photo we received we would donate €1/£1 to a regional Down Syndrome Charity!
The Hoban Hotel Kilkenny moved up the Trip Advisor ranks to the second-best hotel in Kilkenny, ranked by review score.
Leopold Hotel Sheffield received ‘Venue for Good’ certification for their conference facilities, due to exceptional sustainability performance and a track record of working towards UN Sustainable Development Goals.
