General Manager

“A great hotel should make you feel relaxed and at ease the minute you walk through the door, a little like visiting an old friend and that’s exactly how it feels when I drive in to Lainston every morning”

From Little Acorns...

I am proud to have worked for Exclusive Hotels since 2002, starting as Restaurant Manager at Pennyhill Park before leaving there to become Acting General Manager of The Manor House Hotel. 

After eight years working with Exclusive Hotels, I have reached a turning point in my career. Becoming General Manager of Lainston House is my highest achievement to date and I couldn't be happier! Working my way up the ranks has helped me to understand every sector within a hotel and that each role is important in ensuring a motivated staff and happy guests. Lainston House is a gem of a property and I look forward to working with my new team.

Listen and Learn

There is nothing quite like talking to a guest that understands our desire to be the best at what we do and enthuse them with current projects and future ideas, continually moving standards forward.   

Lainston is a fantastic place to work with some inherited and some created unique attributes, add the great team we have and it’s a special combination.     

No Resting on Laurels

Being market leaders in the hotel industry means everything to me and we are continually re-inventing ourselves to keep the experience innovative and exciting.

David Connell, General Manager, Lainston House, Sparsholt, Winchester, Hampshire SO21 2LT