Bea Tollman

Beatrice Tollman, founder of Red Carnation Hotels, built the brand with passion, vision, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. In a career spanning more than 60 years, Bea Tollman has built a unique collection of international five and four star boutique hotels in the UK, Ireland, Geneva, Florida and South Africa. Tollman has led the Red Carnation Hotel Collection for the past 35 years and created a legacy in 17 individually designed properties. Though initially intended to become a nursery school teacher, at age 22 Tollman became a novice running her own kitchen and learning the ins and outs of luxury hotelkeeping.

In 1974 the Tollman family left South Africa with almost nothing and relocated to London, initially borrowing money to buy the Montcalm hotel, which they sold two and a half years later prior to moving to the US, where they built up a chain of three-star hotels operating under the Days Inn brand. The family then moved back to London and in 1984 bought the Chesterfield – the first of what was to develop into the Red Carnation Hotel Collection. Bea had even bigger dreams on the water, eventually leading her to acquire Uniworld River Cruises in 2004.

Tollman was described as 'one of the most inspirational individuals in our industry' and received recognition from the premier US hotel industry magazine HOTELS for her dedication, endless energy and creation of an admired hotel portfolio. As the group has expanded, Bea has always ensured that the staff have had the support, resources and opportunities to enable them to mature as individuals and climb the career ladder. Tollman grew up in South Africa as a champion tennis player, a soprano singer and a well-regarded piano player.

Career History

• 1954: Co-founded first hotel, The Nugget, in Johannesburg with husband Stanley
• 1954-1974: Operated multiple hotel properties in South Africa, including The Hyde Park Hotel in Johannesburg with the renowned Colony supper club
• 1974-1984: Operated Montcalm Hotel in London; later built chain of three-star Days Inn hotels in the United States
• 1984-Present: Founded and led Red Carnation Hotel Collection as President and Founder
• 2004-Present: Creative visionary and design leader for Uniworld River Cruises as part of The Travel Corporation

What Bea Tollman could bring to Red Carnation Hotels: With her deep expertise in boutique hotel design, exceptional culinary knowledge, and hands-on leadership philosophy, Tollman continues to drive innovation in luxury hospitality while maintaining the personalized service standards that have made her hotels consistently rank among the world's finest. Her experience expanding from South African properties to an international portfolio across multiple continents, combined with her successful extension into the river cruise market, demonstrates her ability to scale luxury brand concepts while preserving the intimate, detail-oriented philosophy that defines Red Carnation's brand promise.