NEWS FEED
A Southbourne man who celebrated both his engagement and wedding at the hotel where he works, has also officially named his baby daughter there.
Andy Thompson, 34, a duty manager at the Marsham Court Hotel in Russell-Cotes Road Bournemouth, explained: “I came to the Marsham Court in 2002 and have been here ever since.
“It’s like a home from home for me so it makes perfect sense that I should celebrate the most important moments of my life here.”
He and his the girlfriend Nikita celebrated their engagement at the Marsham Court in November 2008, before holding their wedding at the hotel in July 2010.
“Unfortunately becoming parents hasn’t been easy – we have been through all sorts of difficulties and eventually went through IVF,” explained Andy.
“But when our baby daughter Skye Arla Hope arrived in September, we knew exactly where we would be celebrating her arrival!”
Andy came to the Marsham Court Hotel on work experience from Bournemouth University, where he was studying for a degree in International Hospitality Management
He has been the hotel’s porter, barman, night porter and waiter before working his way up to duty manager, responsible for the day to day running of the 87-bedroom hotel.
His meteoric rise won him the Rising Star award at the Bournemouth Tourism Awards 2016.
The Marsham Court also won the prestigious Large Hotel of the Year award on the same night.
Andy said: “Winning the Rising Star award this year was unbelievable.
“To top off the year by becoming a dad to a beautiful little girl is just perfect and I wouldn’t want to mark it anywhere else but at the Marsham Court. It’s been wonderful celebrating her arrival with all the staff.”
Rosie Wallace, whose family own the Marsham Court, said: “I have watched Andy evolve from an eager to please student to a competent manager and along the way I have shared the ups and downs of his life.
“The Marsham Court is a family and he is an important part of that.”
“Everyone here has already fallen in love with Skye – and if I know Andy he is already planning her first birthday party here!”
