There were double celebrations for Clayton Hotel Leopardstown at the 2025 Irish Hotel Awards on October 20 last when two of its leading ladies, Nicole Eaves and Mihaela Cojocaru, were among the winners.
Nicole was named overall ‘Rising Star of the Year’ for Leinster, while Mihaela scooped ‘Food & Beverage Manager of the Year’ also for Leinster. In addition, the south Dublin hotel took home an award for ‘Highly Commended – Business Hotel of the Year’.
The evening marked a powerful tribute to Ireland’s most inspiring hospitality professionals – those who elevate guest experiences with quiet brilliance and unwavering dedication. This year’s ceremony honoured a diverse spectrum of contributors, from visionary general managers and culinary innovators to devoted housekeeping teams and front-of house stars.
“We are very proud of our two recipients who are fantastic at what they do and are passionate about it,” Clayton Hotel Leopardstown general manager Simon Anglin enthuses.
“Their achievement also reflects well on our amazing team who are happy and engaged. It’s a team effort at the end of the day. These prestigious awards highlight the exceptional skill and expertise of our team whose innovative approach to hospitality has contributed significantly to the hotel’s ongoing success.”
Nicole Eaves currently works in the HR department, She is an all-encompassing employee whose communication skills with her colleagues and guests alike are second to none. Nicole joined Clayton Hotel Leopardstown in July 2017 as barista in the Red Bean Roastery Coffee Shop. She worked there for two years before applying for a receptionist role which she excelled at and was quickly promoted to supervisor / trainer, supporting all new starters settling into their roles.
Nicole then joined the HR team, and truly shines in her role, consistently demonstrating her exceptional skills in handling various aspects of HR. From managing recruitment processes to overseeing benefits and compliance, she is an invaluable asset to our team. Her dedication to performance management and policy implementation has not only helped streamline operations, but has also empowered her fellow-employees with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed in their roles.
One of the highlights of Nicole’s work, with the support of her team, is her commitment to training and development. Moreover, her meticulous approach to maintaining confidential records and supporting payroll processes showcases her professionalism and attention to detail. In recent years, Nicole has also shown a growing interest in our Health & Safety audits, where she led the H&S team to an impressive score of 94% this year!
With Nicole’s efforts, our team has also achieved an outstanding employee satisfaction score of 95% for two consecutive years! This achievement reflects the culture in the hotel and her ability to uplift employee morale
Nicole exemplifies what it means to be a dedicated HR assistant and team player. Her contributions go far beyond administrative tasks. She plays a crucial role in enhancing employee satisfaction and engagement, which ultimately propels the hotel.
Likewise, operations manager Mihaela Cojocaru’s work ethic is truly commendable and stands out in several key ways. First and foremost, her commitment to excellence is evident in everything she does. She approaches each task with a determination not just to meet expectations, but to exceed them. This proactive attitude sets a positive tone for her colleagues and inspires them to push their own performance.
Mihaela is incredibly adaptable – whether she’s taking up a new task or taking on additional responsibilities, she embraces each challenge with enthusiasm. Her willingness to assist in various departments while on shift, highlights her team-oriented mindset. She understands the importance of collaboration and is always ready to lend a hand, which fosters a strong sense of camaraderie within the hotel.
Additionally, Mihaela’s eagerness to learn and grow is notable. She actively seeks feedback and applies it to her work, which not only enhances her own skills, but also contributes to the overall development of her teams. Her engagement in training new staff members reflects her commitment to building a knowledgeable and capable team.
Overall, Mihaela’s work ethic is characterised by her positivity, adaptability and dedication to both her personal growth and the success of her colleagues and the hotel. It’s clear that she embodies the spirit of teamwork and excellence, making her an invaluable asset to the organisation.
Also recently shortlisted in the ‘Food & Beverage Manager’ category of the IHI Hospitality Management Awards, Mihaela possesses outstanding leadership qualities, demonstrating exceptional communication skills that are both professional and compassionate. Her ability to connect with colleagues across various departments has earned her significant respect. Her talent for strategic thinking and effective task organisation is another considerable asset to the team.
Furthermore, Mihaela has played a large part in Clayton Hotel Leopardstown achieving record-breaking revenue with F&B sales, which grew by 10.1% last year. Additionally, the hotel maintained consistent food and beverage GP’s while keeping payroll and expense lines tight and ahead of budget. These accomplishments highlight Mihaela’s commitment to the team and her own development.
Clayton Hotel Leopardstown is the fourth-largest hotel in the Dalata Hotel Group with 357 bedrooms and over 150 staff. Located at the foot of the Dublin Mountains, it’s a place that has everything you need. If you want to see more of Dublin, the hotel is conveniently located beside Central Park Luas Stop which connects you across to Dundrum Shopping Centre and straight into the city. Perfect for events in Marlay Park or a day at the Leopardstown Racecourse, or as a base to explore the wilds of Wicklow, it’s the ideal choice for your next Dublin city break.
Each room is designed to add even more calm and relaxation to your night’s sleep. From the superior rooms that offer a wide range of comforts to the junior suites, you choose exactly what you want to make the most of your stay with us.
At Clayton Leopardstown, there is a very spacious lobby area, bar, restaurant and meeting space that can host up to 150 delegates. The hotel’s standout room is the Sandyford Suite, which is located on the ground floor of the hotel so has the advantage of lovely natural daylight, is fully air conditioned and can accommodate up to 150 in theatre-style or 80 in cabaret for conference. The suite is equipped with a drop-down screen and projector with additional screens available upon request for larger groups.
Sandyford Suite is also an ideal space for private dining, seating up to 90 guests comfortably in a banquet-style setting. It is equally suitable for more casual drinks receptions with high-pod tables in place. There is a bar in the room which is staffed upon request for private events. A selection of menus from canape to gala dinner options are available.
“We are constantly investing in our facilities to ensure our guests have the perfect stay. The lobby was refurbished 10 years ago, the restaurant three years ago and the bar last year. As an eco-friendly hotel, we’re proud holders of a Gold Green Tourism Award. This is acknowledged in our industry as an indicator of good environmentally-friendly practices and highlights our commitment to implementing sustainable measures.
“Our facilities are geared towards family breaks, corporate and leisure. We’re within easy reach of Dundrum Shopping Centre, Leopardstown Racecourse, Marlay Park, Wicklow Way and Dublin city centre. We’re in a great location.”
Clayton Hotels and Maldron Hotels are part of the Dalata Hotel Group which is the UK and Ireland’s largest independent four-star hotel operator with a growing presence across continental Europe. With 56 hotels in key city locations and a further 1,912 rooms in development, Dalata continues to expand its footprint across major urban centres. The Group’s ambition is to grow to 21,000 rooms, either operational or in development, by 2030 — always in destinations where its guests and teams can thrive.
Clayton Hotel Leopardstown
Central Park,
Sandyford Business Park,
Co. Dublin,
D18 K2P1.
Telephone: 01 293 5000
Web: www.claytonhotels.com/leopardstown
This article was published in Hotel & Tourism Magazine, Spring 2026, Vol 2 No 1
Clayton Hotel Leopardstown, featured
