On Friday 4th of April 2014, London based Asset Management firm, Dominvs Group, held their grand opening event for the Holiday Inn Open Lobby Darlington North Hotel formerly known as The Aston.
Phil Wilson, MP cut the ribbon and welcomed the 100 + guests to the moving sounds of locally renowned Jazz Singer, Alison Hildreth and locally fashioned canapés and drinks, ensuring the guests received a full Holiday Inn Darlington North welcome.
“It was so inspiring to see the level of community support and involvement” says Preet Ahluwalia, Director of Dominvs Group. “From the Mayor right down to local Newtonian Bus driver, every person involved or attending the event was as enthused and passionate about the development and advancement of Darlington area as we are”.
The event was set in the recently renovated hotel lobby and restaurant area, the area of the hotel that underwent the greatest transformation, the focal point of the Holiday Inn Open Lobby design.
Guest were welcomed by Angela Brav, Chief Executive Office Europe at IHG, promptly followed by a heartfelt speech by Pat MacInnes, General Manager of the Holiday Inn Darlington North.
The conversion of their 80-bedroom hotel near Aycliffe involved the transformation of the traditional hotel lobby by combining the front desk, restaurant, bar, lounge area and business centre into one open, cohesive space, while refreshing the design to give it a more contemporary feel.
Pat MacInnes, General Manager at Holiday Inn said: “It is a casual, unpretentious space designed to make everyone feel welcome whether travelling alone or with a group, with kids or with colleagues.
The aim is for our guests to relax and have fun, it was evident to see this resonating with our guests on the day.”
