Langwood Hotel, Blackpool
With its coast, scenery, piers and entertainment, Blackpool has been one of the jewels in our tourism crown since the late 1800s when the Tower was erected and donkey rides began. Still a buzzing centre of seaside fun, food and frolics, the Langwood Hotel, based on the promenade to the north of Blackpool Tower, leads the way when it comes to offering the quintessential seaside experience.
Run by Srinivasan Arunachalam and his wife Manika Thapa, who have over 30 years’ experience working in the hospitality industry, the award-winning Langwood Hotel has 26 beautiful rooms and offers first-class food, hospitality, bingo, theme nights and events throughout the year. Born in Chennai before moving to the UK in 2002, Srini earnt his stripes working in a variety of hospitality roles including the finance department for the Hilton Group hotels.
The next step
Harnessing their experience and knowledge, Srini and Manika took over the Langwood Hotel in 2006 and fulfilled a shared dream. The next step was to make it work as a business and nearly 20 years on, the duo’s success can’t be doubted. A family business in every sense of the term, Srini runs the front-of-house, while Manika is head chef in the kitchen. Their children, Semyon and Semina, aged 8 and 5 respectively, even help out by chatting, singing and dancing with the guests.
“We’re proud of the family feel that the hotel has built and I believe that is a crucial reason why we get so many return customers and have a loyal list of regulars,” says Srini. “It’s a home away from home for many. Guests know they will always get a friendly welcome and that a lot of love is put into the preparation of the rooms, food and entertainment.”
In the past, coach holidays were often the popular choice but with customers looking for a more personal approach, Srini offers a door-to-door service for guests from across the north of England. “The personal touch goes a long way and rather than having to worry about a coach ride and luggage, we’re able to take all the hassle away and get our guests here and back at their leisure. All they have to worry about is seeing the sights and having a good time.”
While Manika is an incredible cook with a fantastic repertoire showcasing the best of Asia, the Langwood’s clientele and customers come back time and again for the British classics served up by the seaside. “We occasionally have a few continental and Asian dishes on the menu but there are plenty of Indian restaurants nearby and our guests insist on the real British eating experience. Everything is made in-house, fresh on the day with a lot of care and whether it’s our Fish ‘n Chips, pies or roast dinners, every plate has that homemade look, taste and feel. We recently re-introduced afternoon teas with homemade cakes, sandwiches and sweets. It’s proving a big success and will be something we look to develop further ahead of Christmas and in 2025.”
“We use a wide range of Country Range products in the kitchen and bar, including the Apple Juice, Orange Juice, Jam, butter and the incredible selection of dried herbs.”
Find out more
To find out more visit the Langwood Hotel website.