2 minute read
Hospitality in West London:
West London is a prime tourism hotspot with the jewel in the crown being the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, the UNESCO World Heritage site. But west London is not just Kew, there are many other places including stately homes and buildings such as Osterley House, Syon House, Chiswick House & Gardens, and Boston Manor to Fulham Palace and the delightfully intimate Hogarth House, where West London Chambers held a summer evening drinks reception.
West London Chambers often hold evening events in these beautiful buildings to encourage our members to explore their local area. We don’t just have stately homes, but museums also, the London Museum of Water and Steam, the Musical Museum, Gunnersbury Museum, the latter offering free entry and Pitzhanger Manor and Gallery. The Regency Manor is a rare and spectacular example of a building designed, built and lived in by Sir John Soane. So next time you have visitors maybe stay in west London and avoid the crowds, rather than travelling into London to sightsee.
Skills development remains a strategic priority in the hospitality sector. The West London Annex to the London Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) identifies key areas for growth, including digital capabilities, customer service excellence, and leadership development. Initiatives like the apprenticeship programmes are helping bridge these gaps, ensuring a pipeline of talent ready to meet evolving demands. Sustainability is also gaining traction, with several venues adopting greener practices, from zero-waste kitchens to energyefficient refurbishments.
With over 2,200 members and a database of 8,000 subscribers, West London Chambers, the second largest Chamber of Commerce in London provides vital support through networking, training, and seasonal events. The upcoming “Christmas Jolly and Fullers Brewery Tour” on 4th December is a prime example of bringing together our members so they can meet and network in a relaxed way. There is nothing better than face to face networking and it also gives you the opportunity to engage with the Chamber team, so your business is fresh in our minds. We are often asked to recommend businesses, and it helps if you are an active Chamber member because we remember you! What you put in is what you get out.
As we enter the festive season, the hospitality sector stands as a beacon of west London’s entrepreneurial spirit. With strong backing from the Chambers and a shared commitment to skills and innovation, the region is poised to deliver a vibrant, inclusive, and futureready hospitality experience that reflects the diversity, resilience and creativity of its communities.
“At Holiday Inn London Brentford Lock, we’ve seen real momentum in West London over the past 12 months. Leisure short breaks, local events, and a steady return of corporate meetings have all driven occupancy, with guests choosing our canal-side setting for an experience-led stay that blends relaxation with great connectivity to Central London and Heathrow.
The growing sense of community collaboration across West London has been a real highlight. Like the wider sector, we’ve navigated recruitment and cost pressures, but by working closely with local colleges, training providers, and the Splendid Hospitality Group, we’ve continued to invest in people development and service excellence.
We’re also passionate about responsible hospitality, removing single-use plastics, championing IHG’s Greener Stay initiative, supporting the River Trust’s clean-up projects, and fundraising for Cash for Kids, because guests increasingly want to stay somewhere that reflects their values and gives back locally.
As a hands-on Hotel Manager, I’m passionate about shaping a team that takes pride in every guest experience. For us, it’s about clean, functional rooms, warm and genuine service, and accountability at every level. That focus has lifted our service scores, staff engagement, and community profile, and we’re heading into the festive season and 2026 with real optimism and momentum.”
Stuart Donnelly – General Manager Holiday Inn Brentford Lock
