From the Dover Mercury 15 January 2004.

Glasses raised to hotel's opening.

THE Ramada Hotel at Whitfield has been officially opened by Tory Party leader Michael Howard.

CHAMPAGNE RECEPTION: Mr K. Rajamenon, Mlchael Howard MP, Mrs Sandra Howard and Mr K. Rajaseelan at the official opening of the Ramada Hotel at Whitfleld on Friday.

Known formerly as the Dover Court Hotel and before that the Dover Post House, the hotel is now part of the worldwide Ramada chain, under a franchise agreement.

A £2million refurbishment has led to 10 more jobs being created at the hotel and work on a new suite to expand its conference and banqueting facilities - due to be completed by the summer - will lead to more jobs.

The hotel, in Singledge Lane, now employs 30 people, under manager Rohan Karunaratne.

Mr Howard, MP for Dover's neighbouring constituency of Folkestone and Hythe, opened the hotel at a champagne reception, attended by 120 guests. Among them were members of the Ramada organisation, Dover Mayor George Allt. Sandwich Mayor and speaker of the Confederation of the Cinque Ports Joe Trussler, and district council leader, Paul Watkins.

At the reception, Mr Howard told guests: "If anyone is surprised that the MP for Folkestone should open a hotel in Dover, my answer is that Dover and Folkestone are dependent on each other and we are more effective by working together."

Referring to the recent job losses announced by P&O Ferries, Mr Howard added: "The east Kent economy has had some recent difficulties but there are also tremendous opportunities."

He continued by commenting that Ramada's investment in the hotel would benefit the entire area and was "great news" for east Kent.

The hotel was bought by businessmen K. Rajamenon and K. Rajaseelan two years ago.

The massive refurbishment started last January and the hotel has been trading as the Ramada since October.

The hotel has 68 bedrooms, a coffee lounge and restaurant. Services offered now include a licence to hold civil weddings.

Ben Ancher, vice-president of Ramada's operations in Europe, Middle East and Africa, told guests at the reception: "Dover is a very important location to Ramada.

"The port links continental Europe with the UK and, of course, Dover's white cliffs are known worldwide.

"This is a magnificent hotel, and we at Ramada are very excited by it."

At the ceremony, Mrs Ahusa RajameIion and Mrs Nanthini Rajaseelan - the two wives of the hotel's owners - presented bouquets to Mr Howard's wife Sandra and Sandwich Mayoress Sandra Scott.

From the Dover Mercury, 17 July, 2008.

HOTEL STAFF VOTED NUMBER ONE

THE "Ramada Hotel" at Whitfield has been named as the best hotel in promoting and selling memberships to the new Wyndham Rewards programme.

Taking part in a worldwide contest within the Wyndham Hotel Group in the category of 100 rooms or less, the "Ramada Hotel" Dover front office team came first. “This is a great achievement for our hotel to be the number one in the world in our category,” said general manager Gehan Dias-Bandaranaike.

“It is a recognition of the fine efforts of our dedicated and hard working staff in reception.”

From the Dover Mercury, 4 September, 2008.

HOTEL INVESTS IN ITS STAFF

A DOVER hotel has been recognised for its high standards.

The four star "Ramada Hotel" has been awarded recognition as an Investor in People by the local accreditation authority.

General manager Gehan Dias-Bandaranaik said: "This is great news as it recognises our efforts in looking after our dedicated staff and in providing them with regular training to ensure our customer service is of the highest standard."

The award follows the hotel's success in winning an international competition in the Wyndham hotel group for the promotion of the Wyndham rewards programme.

From the Dover Mercury, 30 December, 2010.

HOTEL GOES GREEN

THE "Ramada Hotel" at Whitfield has achieved a silver grading for its green credentials.

It was the first time the hotel had been inspected by Green Business UK and the owners are delighted with their success.

"This is a great achievement for the staff at the hotel who have conscientiously worked hard on implementing our strong environmental policy," said general manager Gehan Dias-Bandaranaike.

To achieve a grading an organisation must have a strong environmental policy together with procedures and a plan-in place to minimise energy consumption. Part of this plan includes buying locally wherever possible.

From the Dover Mercury, 7 April, 2011.

HOTEL TO GET £500,000 FACELIFT

By Graham Tutthill

AFTER opening the "Best Western Dover Marina Hotel" following a massive refurbishment. Leaf Hotels are now giving their "Ramada Hotel" at Whitfield a new look too.

The upgrade is costing half a million pounds and is being undertaken by one of the UK's top interior designers.

The improvements include a new restaurant, bar and lobby, together with the fiat-screen television sets and a new guest information system in all 68 bedrooms.

The fine dining restaurant called "The Olive Tree" - will reopen on Friday, April 15 and is large enough to cater for weddings and other events for up to 130 guests. It will continue to offer its popular themed evenings.

General manager Gehan Dias-Bandaranaike said the investment would help the hotel to meet its long-term objective of gaining two to three dining rosettes.

"This refurbishment will enhance our reputation as one of the only prestigious branded four star hotels in East Kent."

The refurbishment work is being undertaken by Nicholas Hollinshead Interiors, which Leaf Hotels also used for the renovation of the "Best Western Dover Marina Hotel and Spa." The "Ramada" has 68 bedrooms, including 19 family and 12 executive rooms, a Costa Coffee lounge, two meeting rooms, free wifi Internet access, free guest car and coach parking, a business centre and mini gym.

• For more Information, call 01304 821230, email reservations@ramadadover.co.uk or visit www.ramadadover.co.uk

From the Dover Mercury, 4 April, 2013. 80p. By Graham Tutthill

HOTEL'S GRAND BALL WILL HELP CHILDREN AND HONOUR NURSE

Susan's dream was to create hospital garden

A BALL is being held at the Ramada at Whitfield to raise funds to help children with a rare disease, and to make a Dover nurse's dream become a reality.

Ethan's MPS Ball is being held on May 11, four days before MPS Awareness Day which will highlight the problems caused by this and other multi-organ diseases.

They cause progressive physical and mental disability, often leading to in death in childhood.

Ethan is the four-year-old son of one of the hotel's suppliers, and he is one of only 23 children in the UK affected by the MPS syndrome.

Worldwide, one baby born every eight days will be diagnosed with an MPS, or related disease, for which there is no cure.

Most of the money raised at the ball will go to the MPS Society to help fund research and crucial clinical trials.

But 20% of the money raised will be donated to the Kent and Canterbury Hospital in memory of Sue Heppell, a “truly inspirational” nurse who died in January aged 58.

She had been the ward manager at the Carousel children's ward at Buckland Hospital and at Dolphin ward at Kent and Canterbury Hospital where her special gift was helping those with a fear of needles to overcome their phobia.

Mrs Heppell, who lived at Whitfield, was known and loved by the many children and their families she had helped over her 35 years in children's nursing.

She had also worked with the Martha Trust, working with children with profound and multiple disability.

After Ethan underwent many months of weekly infusions at Great Ormond Street Hospital, Ms Heppell and her team set up the required treatment at Canterbury making life less of a struggle for Ethan and his mum.

Her dream was to create an outside treatment area for the children at Canterbury and the organisers of the ball say they aim to make her dream a reality.

The evening will consist of a champagne reception, a four-course meal with entertainment and dancing until midnight, incorporating an auction, raffle, fundraising games and the opportunity for those attending to have their photo taken.

“We hope groups of friends will get together to reserve a table -each one seats 12,” said Pat Milligan from the Ramada.

“We would also welcome donations for the raffle or auction, or cash donations. And we hope people will tell others about Ethan, MPS and this event.”

Tickets cost £39.95 and must be paid for prior to the event. The dress code is black tie and all those attending are asked to wear something blue for MPS, even if it is just a pocket handkerchief or a ribbon.