Outdoor dining on the menu
The Cavan Crystal Hotel is excited to welcome customers back tomorrow (Wednesday) for outdoor dining and has developed an attractive outdoor space for diners.
Manager Michael Hanly said: “We are nervous but excited is the way I would put it.”
The area at the front of the hotel has been decked out with 25 tables, parasols and can seat about 90 people
“We hope to operate our full bar menu out there,” said Mr Hanly.
“You will be able to book a table online courtesy on the online table pass, and you will automatically be sent a confirmation and a reminder. We are really looking forward to it and hope that the weather remains favourable,” he added.
The weather is key to the success of outdoor dining. “We are very fortunate that we have a great local clientèle that come to the hotel all the time and I am sure they are really looking forward to getting out and having a bite to eat. Sadly, we can’t invite them into the hotel in the short term, but hopefully come July 5 we will be in a position to do so,” said the hotel boss.
Advance bookings for hotel accommodation in June are strong and Mr Hanly is hopeful more bookings will roll in for July and August.
“In terms of issues within the hotel business, everyone is trying to recruit staff and some people are not keen to return, which is understandable. Some of it can be attributed to work/life balance and some have obtained other jobs. We are endeavouring to entice people back as best we can – we hope to have them all back in the very short term,” he remarked.
“The incentives for some of the people working here is the fact that they have access to the gym and the swimming pool. I am conscious that we will be busy and the month of September will be interesting and we will see what that brings. Certainly June, July and August should be busy enough,” said an optimistic Mr Hanly.
Weddings
The clarification around the numbers permitted at weddings is welcome, according to Mr Hanly and gives couples and the hotel some certainty going forward.
From Monday, June 7, the number of guests attending wedding celebrations or receptions after a ceremony can increase to 25 people. On July 5, that number will jump to 50; while from August 100 will be permitted provided Covid-19 is under control.
“Most of our weddings stayed with us and we also gained a number of intimate small weddings and we have more of those to come,” said Mr Hanly.
Zest Fitness at the Cavan Crystal is hoping to get members and residents back into the gym and pool from June 7.
“The pool is a big draw both for locals and for guests coming to stay in the hotel – it is a great addition to the hotel,” said Mr Hanly.
As far as ‘staycations’ go, Mr Hanly anticipates that coastal hotels will fill first and hotels like the Crystal with a pool come next for people looking for a short break.
“More people are beginning to work from home with better internet speeds and consequently they have more leisure time. Hopefully that will drive some dining business our way.”