THE third generation of the Bailey family has joined the board of directors at The Royal Hotel in Ventnor.

Dr Gregory Bailey — who recently rowed across the Atlantic as one of the Ocean Brothers raising more than £113,000 for charity — said he was looking forward to working with his father, William, and the hotel's new general manager, Andrew Woodland.

Greg was born on the Isle of Wight and grew up in The Royal Hotel.

He said: “I am just so excited and honoured to follow in the footsteps of my father and grandparents and look forward to working with the team of brilliant staff over the next several decades.”

William said The Royal had just enjoyed one of its best summers since he purchased the hotel and became managing director 25 years ago.

He has also this week been invited by The Institute of Hospitality (IOH) to become a Fellow of the IOH for his service to the hospitality industry over the past 30 years.

He will be formally awarded his Fellowship at The Savoy Hotel in London in February.

This week, The Royal also welcomed Andrew Woodland as the new general manager who will be responsible for the day to day operation at hotel.

Andrew has enjoyed a long and successful career in coastal hotels including the Imperial Torquay, Royal Bath Bournemouth, Turnberry in Scotland and latterly at the Sandbanks Hotel on the iconic Sandbanks Peninsula.

Andrew has been chairman of the Bournemouth Hotels Association and chairman of the Bournemouth and Poole Tourism Management Board.

The family business was founded in 1947 by William’s father, Lionel Bailey and mother, Pamela Bailey, Gregory’s grandparents.

They ran a number of hotels before purchasing The Royal Esplanade Hotel in Ryde in 1953.