Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa Bids Farewell To Its Long‑Serving General Manager Sakis Dinas As New Era Begins In UK Hospitality

The Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa located on 500 acres of parkland close to Bath, UK will hold a special farewell event for its general manager Sakis Dinas who has spent nine years creating warm guest experiences at the hotel. Dinas has announced that he will step down from his role to return home and care for his parents, bringing to a close a significant chapter at one of England’s most cherished country house hotels.

Dinas, who joined Lucknam Park in 2017 and later rose to the general manager position, described the move as a difficult decision but one driven by family priorities, noting that family must come first at this stage in his life. He signalled that this may not be a permanent farewell to the UK, suggesting that life in the sun might not fully replace the familiar comforts of British weather and culture.

A pivotal figure at a flagship English country retreat

Lucknam Park, a Grade II listed country house hotel in west Wiltshire, has long been recognised as a benchmark for refined English hospitality, combining heritage architecture with contemporary comfort. Located just a short drive from Bath and surrounded by formal gardens, tree‑lined avenues and open countryside, the property has become a favourite for discerning travellers seeking a tranquil escape within easy reach of London and the south‑west.

Since 2017, Dinas has been closely associated with that appeal, overseeing the guest experience across the hotel’s 42 individually designed bedrooms and nine self‑catering cottages scattered across the estate. Under his stewardship, the hotel’s Michelin‑starred restaurant, destination spa and equestrian centre have continued to draw leisure guests, gourmet travellers and wellness seekers from around the world.

Career rooted in European luxury hospitality

Dinas’s hospitality story began in Switzerland, where he studied hospitality management before moving to England in 1994 to improve his language skills and immerse himself in the industry. He went on to spend six years with Hilton in London, progressing to food and beverage manager and gaining big‑city hotel experience with an international brand.​

His career then pivoted towards the country house sector, which he has said he prefers to city hotels, with roles at Elite Hotels and Red Carnation Hotels shaping his style of personalised, detail‑driven service. Prior to joining Lucknam Park, he held general manager positions at The Headland and Charlton House Hotel, building a reputation as a hands‑on leader attuned to both guest expectations and team culture.

Leadership journey at Lucknam Park

Arriving at Lucknam Park in 2017 as resident manager, Dinas quickly became central to the hotel’s day‑to‑day operations and strategic direction. Following the departure of former managing director Claire Randall, he was promoted in 2019 into the senior leadership role, taking responsibility for stewarding the estate’s legacy while nurturing its team of hospitality professionals.​

His tenure was marked by industry recognition, including being named General Manager of the Year at the 2022 Boutique Hotelier Awards, an accolade that highlighted his impact in the UK’s luxury boutique hotel sector. Colleagues at Lucknam Park have publicly praised his leadership, describing him as an inspiring figure who has played a key role in strengthening the hotel’s profile among luxury travellers and within the wider hospitality community.

A new chapter for a heritage estate and its guests

Dinas has shared that, while he will soon leave Lucknam Park, he does not regard the move as a final goodbye and is keeping an open mind about returning to the UK in future. For returning guests who have come to associate their Wiltshire escape with his familiar welcome in the lobby or quiet conversations about dining, spa days or riding routes, his departure will feel like the end of an era.

At the same time, Lucknam Park itself is entering a fresh phase, having officially joined Accor’s Emblems Collection, a curated portfolio celebrating distinctive independent luxury hotels. As the first member of this new collection, the estate aims to blend its privately owned, home‑from‑home atmosphere with the reach and expertise of a global hospitality group, promising guests the same gracious country‑house charm enhanced by broader international visibility.

What Next?

For travellers considering Wiltshire and Bath for their next English countryside escape, the evolution of leadership at Lucknam Park demonstrates how historical traditions and individual experiences continue to shape guest interactions. The path which starts at the lime and beech tree avenue and ends at the main entrance together with staff members who welcome visitors by name and the separate career paths of Dinas and his guests create the entire visitor experience. The public will express their good wishes to him as he returns home to spend time with his family but they will also anticipate how the historic estate which he helped manage will receive them during their upcoming visits.

Image Credit: Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa