Our Team
Hoteliers since 1896, the Grose family and their team have a tradition of giving committed service and warm hospitality to guests and visitors to Thurlestone Hotel. Their mission statement is “We strive to exceed our guests' expectations so they wish to return.”
Matthew Grose, Managing Director. Matt is the fifth generation of the Grose family to take on the leadership of the family business. From a young age Matthew was involved in the hotel business - he worked his way around each department at Thurlestone Hotel before becoming a pub Landlord aged 19 for the Courage Brewery in Berkshire. He studied Hotel Management at Plymouth University followed by a spell working and training in La Rochelle then London where he ran events for the British Film Institute. He returned to Thurlestone as Assistant Manager in 1996 and then headed to Scotland in 1998 to run the Dryburgh Abbey Hotel. Following the successful sale of the Dryburgh in 2006 he went on to oversee the acquisition, refurbishment and management of Mullion Cove Hotel before heading back to Thurlestone in 2015 as head of the family business. Matthew still plays cricket for Kingsbridge 1st XI and has a love for rugby having represented Devon as a scrum half at age group level while at school and latterly for Kingsbridge RFC.
Tim Hassell, Estates Director. Tim is a 4th generation hotelier. He spent school holidays from the age of 14 working in his parent’s hotel in Torquay before going on to study Hotel and Catering Management at Oxford Polytechnic. He has worked at Duke’s Hotel in London, Stapleford Park Hotel and for Marriott Hotels at the Grosvenor Square Property. He has a long association with Thurlestone Hotel, working as an assistant manager in the mid 90's before returning to his family business in Torquay and subsequently oversaw the acquisition of the Ilsington Country House Hotel which he ran with his wife, Maura, for 15 years before handing the reins on to his brother, Richard. He is now back at Thurlestone full time to assist with capital projects and help Matthew set the vision for Thurlestone in the future. Tim is a part time marathon runner and erstwhile turkey farmer he also likes to spend as much time fishing as work allows.
Christian Thomas, Finance Director. Christian is a Chartered Accountant and brings a wealth of commercial experience to the team having also held commercial finance roles in the construction and media sectors. In his spare time Christian enjoys running, composing electronic music and spending time with his family including his two Labradors.
Mary Grose, Business Development Manager. After an award-winning career working working in corporate sales for international hotel chains we are delighted to have Mary in the family business, focusing on business development alongside Human Resources and recruitment. Mary represented England in show jumping and can be found in the saddle when not at work.
Luke Comerford, General Manager.
Joining the team at the end of 2020 Luke has returned to South Devon having grown up in Ashburton. The last 15 years have taken him around the country and seen him develop a successful career across hospitality and hotel venues including The Lowry, QHotels and Harbour Hotels. He is looking forward to using his experiences and knowledge to develop the hotel throughout and beyond its 125-year anniversary. Outside of the hotel Luke is a keen follower of both Liverpool and Plymouth Argyle FC!
Liam Thompson, Operations Manager. Liam joined the team in Spring 2021. Liam obtained a foundation degree in hospitality management during lockdown. When not at work you will see supporting his favourtie football team Liverpool.
Joe Hamling, Deputy Operations Manager.
Peter Hvisc, Ground Floor Manager. Peter has worked at the hotel for many years and you may have known him as our Head Porter. Now Peter oversees the Terrace Bar and Porters as well as Duty Management. In his spare time he likes to look after his bees, fishing, golfing and watching football and supports the local teams.
Cat Mulholland, Trainee Duty Manager. Cat is our newest member on the Duty Management team. Cat is a trained pastry chef and is currently studying Tourism, Hospitality and Events Management. In her spare time she likes to spend it with her son.
Dayana Guillot, Restaurant Manager. Dayana joined the team as an experienced Restaurant Manager, who has worked in a number of 5 star hotels including Bovey Castle. Dayana is a keen reader and has a passion for dance as she hails from Cuba.
Hugh Miller, Executive Chef. Hugh joined Thurlestone from the QE2. He has worked for the Grose family for nearly 20 years and knows many of our regular guests' culinary tastes and preferences. Hugh is often called upon to create special celebratory meals and is allergen trained and happy to meet with guests to discuss specific menus or dietary requirements. Hugh is a huge Liverpool fan.
Alison Maisonny, Spa Manager. Ali has a wealth of experience within the industry and has been a beauty therapist for nearly 20 years now and absolutely loves looking after her clients. Ali adores her cats and also sings in a choir.
Shona Iles, Head Housekeeper. Shona has been employed at Thurlestone for over 30 years and has seen all the changes at the hotel especially with the bedrooms.
Teresa Hamilton, Marketing and Country Club Membership. Teresa provides a valuable input to our revenue and marketing as well as supporting our Front Office team. She has worked at the hotel for over 35 years. Teresa is a big dog lover and always a treat handy for her canine friends.
Kate Davey, Digital Marketing. Kate looks after everything "Digital" at the hotel from the website and Social Media to our brand new hotel app.
Terry- Louise Weeks, Front Office Manager. Originally from Plymouth but has been away working overseas in International hotels in America, Australia and New Zealand. I’ve now returned home and enjoy spending time with family, friends, coastal walks and discovering new Vegetarian places to eat.
Rachel Frass Head Receptionist. She supports and supervises Reception.
Mark Baines, The Village Inn Manager. Mark joined us in May and has worked in hospilatity since he was 16.
Rene Müller, Head Village Inn Chef. Rene has worked in Devon for nearly 15 years since moving from Berlin. He enjoys watching and playing football as well as spending time with his three children.