Kevin Wood is head of operations at Oceana Hotels & Leisure, which runs Bournemouth's popular Cumberland, Suncliff, Ocean Beach and Hotel Royale resorts. All are magnificent, large properties promising some of the best vistas across Bournemouth Bay.

The boutique-styled Cumberland is steeped in Art Deco splendour and home to the Ventana Grand Café and poolside lido deck. The Suncliff is more of a traditional seaside hotel and home of the popular Overcliff Pub, while the Ocean Beach is a contemporary hotel with a blissful day spa and Italian café and the Best Western Hotel Royale is an elegant venue set in beautiful, spacious gardens.

Kevin has worked in prominent hospitality in Bournemouth for 30 years on and off, with a ten-year break in California.

What would be your perfect day out in Dorset?

"A full day on the beach on a warm, sunny day, with good friends, a good wine or chilled beer, and some healthy food. After the beach, a trip to a traditional pub for dinner."

What are your fondest memories of the county?

"The beaches of Bournemouth and Poole, particularly Durley Beach towards Poole, and the rolling green hills and woods in land."

What has been your proudest achievement?

"Taking the Cumberland from an unknown hotel to be one of the area's best known and reputed properties for locals and visitors, and achieving the Best large Hotel three times - the highest 4 star rating in Bournemouth in 2017, and the first BAPTA (Bournemouth and Poole Tourism Awards which celebrate tourism across the BH postcodes) for Best Large Hotel."

Where do you get your inspiration from?

"Mostly travelling both nationally, and internationally and keeping a creative outlook."

What would be your favourite thing to do when you have a day off?

"Invite close friends for a sleepover, and enjoy good food and company."

Where is your favourite place to eat in the county?

"Westbourne has some good eateries, though I do not have a favourite at present."

What three things do you associate with Dorset?

"Superb coastline, quality of life and innovation."

If you could summarise the county in one word what would it be?

"Delightful!"

:: bournemouth.com/oceana-hotels