Dawn Smith - Owner 

I moved in here when the doors opened at 11 years old with my parents June and Walter Brittain, The Claxton soon become our way of life.

Watching and learning from my parents as i grew up was incredible, seeing their dedication and how together they could over come anything that came their way. It gave me the resilience and strength needed to keep the business going through some tough times.

I moved out when I married my husband Stuart in 1984 and raised a family, although still keeping close ties with the family business.

When my parents retired in 2005 We relocated back to the main residence in the hotel with Stuart and our 3 Children.

Over the past 20 years I have met some incredible guests from all over the world, some of whom I can now call Friends. I have always tried to create a warm welcoming place for everyone who enters. 

 Stuart Smith 

After 17 years as a mechanic for Middlesbrough council I Joined the Claxton in 1995 to work alongside my Wife & Family. 

I worked closely with Walter and June as hotel manager for many years learning everything we needed to keep the business running as it is today, I was even known to DJ a party or two back in the day!  Now i specialize in making sure our food standards, health and hygiene, allergens and fire safety throughout the hotel and paperwork is all kept correct, helping us to maintain the perfect 5 stars we have achieved for many years! 

 Michael Smith

As a child I had always loved to work alongside my Grandad in the hotel growing up, weather we were prepping in the kitchen for a wedding for 100 guests, building and redesigning bedrooms or simply fixing something. He taught me everything I needed to know. When I left school I served as a joiner for many years giving me the confidence and ability to fix and refurbish the hotel bringing it to the incredible standard we have achieved today. 

 Rachel Smith 

We moved in the Claxton when i was 13 years old, this was the start of my pot washing saturday's! After leaving school i moved away for awhile but soon came back to help the family business, Accounting became my next venture at college allowing me to to redevelop our online systems to keep up with modern accounting standards and technology that is needed today.