UK: Silviu Dinu joins The Cottage in the Wood Malvern as general manager as well as Rob Mason as the hotel’s head chef.
Dinu has previously held positions at Whatley Manor and Dormy House Hotel in the Cotswolds. He began his hospitality career as a waiter in Romania in 2002 before moving to the UK in 2005.
The appointment marks Dinu’s first role as general manager. He said: “It’s always about the guest for me. This is a place for guests to relax, breathe, and feel free, with great service and a mellow atmosphere. We want everyone to create unforgettable memories in the space we have created for them here in the Malvern Hills.”
Taking the helm at the hotel’s 1919 Restaurant is Mason. He was previously part of the team that acquired a Michelin star at Peel’s Restaurant at Hampton Manor.
Pickling and fermenting form part of Mason’s cooking style. He commented: “It’s all about the ingredients. Taking the best produce you can find and letting it do the talking. I want to bring 1919 Restaurant to the next level – a place guests want to return to again and again because the menu inspires them.”
The Cottage in the Wood Malvern has recently completed a full, three-stage refurbishment. New additions include a 25-seat covered terrace overlooking the Severn Valley. All 32 bedrooms have undergone a redesign.
Owners Nick and Julia Davies acquired the hotel in 2015. The first stage of renovation, including the 1919 Restaurant & Bar and updated public spaces in the Main House were launched in 2017.
A £2.1 million loan was secured from the Cumberland Building Society in 2019 to complete the third and final stage.
