In this episode of The Hotel Growth Podcast, I sit down with Nick Davies, owner of The Cottage in the Wood, to talk about running a high-performing independent hotel in one of the UK’s toughest trading environments.

Nick shares how rising costs, staffing pressures, and national insurance hikes have forced innovation — from rethinking his F&B model to trimming trading days without sacrificing guest experience.

We also dive into:

• Why closing two days a week actually improved profitability
  

• The thinking behind their new 16-cover tasting restaurant
  

• VAT inequality across Europe (and why UK hospitality’s hands are tied)
  

• How to win direct bookings without fighting the OTAs head-on
  

• The guest psychology behind sweets at checkout
  

If you’re an independent hotelier feeling the squeeze, this episode is full of clarity, candour and practical takeaways. Nick doesn’t mince his words — and that’s exactly why it’s worth a listen.