A North East hotelier has been recognised in a 2026 hospitality power list for her above-and-beyond work to promote and support hospitality and tourism within the region.
Elain Meenaghan, Group Sales Director for The Doxford Group – which owns and runs luxury wedding venues Doxford Barns and Charlton Hall, along with boutique hotel The Tempus, from its 550-acre Northumberland estate – was named amongst Boutique Hotelier’s Power List 2026.
Celebrated amongst the ‘Hidden Heroes’ category, Elain, who is also a Board member of Visit Northumberland, was honoured for her work to not only promote the Group’s own venues but the wider region too.
This includes partnering the renowned Kielder Observatory and Northumberland National Park to introduce Guided Star-Gazing and Self-Guided Star-Bathing packages, respectively, simultaneously enhancing the guest experience and showcasing the region’s Gold Tier International Dark Sky status.
Adding to this, menus are carefully curated from the finest local produce – with all eggs, for example, sourced from Ords Eggs just 10 miles away – while gantries are well-stocked with artisan spirits and ales from nearby distillers and microbreweries.
And to help encourage guests to explore what more Northumberland has to offer, there are in-room and online guides to suit all interests, along with the option of bespoke itineraries.
Combined, this value-added approach has contributed to a notable uplift across the business, helping increase average spend across both wedding venues and boost hotel occupancy and average room rate at The Tempus Hotel.
Guest satisfaction has seen a similar lift, as has the Group’s awards tally – including, earlier this year, The Tempus winning Small Hotel of the Year in the North East England Tourism Awards.
Commenting on the ‘Hidden Heroes’ Award, Elain said: “Having lived and worked in the North East for over 30 years now, I’ve grown incredibly proud of all that the region offers: from the warmth of welcome and the creativity of local producers, to the wealth of things to see and do.
“So it feels only natural to weave these into the guest experience. First and foremost, it provides a fuller, more authentic taste of Northumberland. In doing so, it also boosts revenue, both for The Doxford Group itself and our local partners too.”
Richard Shell, Owner of The Doxford Group, added: “With a strong track record of driving performance and revenue through strategic partnerships, Elain’s reputation as an ambassador of the North East precedes her. However, to see this knowledge and life-long love for the region in action is really something.
“Elain’s always striving to add value – for guests, the business itself and surrounding areas alike – setting a new benchmark as regards ‘promote local’ that has proven instrumental to our ongoing evolution and growth.”
The full Boutique Hotelier Power List 2026 was unveiled yesterday Monday 18 May at a sold-out live event, The Great General Manager Debate, held at Montcalm Mayfair, and will be published in the May Edition of the monthly magazine.
