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09/2018

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Aspiring Overseas Chefs Undertake Training at UK Hotels

Thursday, 20 September, 2018 - 10:52

Leading UK hotel management company RBH is proactively tackling the skills shortage in its kitchens with a pioneering chef training initiative.

Twelve students from Gran Canaria and Tenerife are currently undertaking six month work placements at QHotels properties Slaley Hall, Crewe Hall, Dunston Hall and Stratford Manor and newly rebranded DoubleTree by Hilton Stratford-Upon-Avon.

Representatives from RBH visit the hotel schools abroad in March to carry out interviews with the aim of sourcing candidates that will become full-time employees. The students are all in their second year of studying Kitchen Cuisine and are trained to a Chef de Partie level.  

The partnership with Resort Restaurant and People Partners began originally with QHotels in 2017 and was such a success that two students were offered permanent positions following completion of the course.

In the QHotels and DoubleTree by Hilton kitchens, the students complete either a Kitchen Management or Kitchen Cuisine course. The management course includes high volume, banqueting style catering whereas the cuisine course is catering to Rosette or Michelin Star standard.

Julian Prosser, RBH Group Executive Chef, said:

The students are all highly motivated with superb basic kitchen skills, and it’s great to see their commitment to pursuing a career in hospitality. We place the students in our larger properties where they can gain experience in fine dining, large banquets, conference catering and leisure menus.

We’re really proud of this partnership and it’s a key step in our strategy to proactively drive chef recruitment, retention and development across the portfolio. Our long term plan as this initiative develops is to arrange work placements for a selection of our current employees at these hotel schools.”

High quality AV and presentation technology is most important aspect of conference venue, reveals Wyboston Lakes Resort survey of event professionals

Thursday, 20 September, 2018 - 10:13

A good range of high quality AV and presentation technology and support staff’ is the most important aspect when choosing a conference venue, other than cost and suitability of rooms.

This feature of venues came top in a poll of almost 100 event professionals carried out by Wyboston Lakes Resort, the UK’s largest privately-owned single site conference and leisure venue.

‘Good customer service’ was a close second with ‘the quality of food’ just behind in third place.

Respondents were asked to choose their top three priorities from a lengthy list of venue features and these three were clearly at the top. In fourth place was ‘Free wi-fi for delegates,’ ‘clarity on pricing’ was fifth and ‘a venue that understands our priorities’ in sixth, just ahead of ‘good lighting in meeting rooms including natural light.’

In eighth place was ‘comfortable seating’ and while ‘Other’ was ninth, most specified ‘accessibility of the location.’  ‘Creativity in food options’ completed the Top Ten.

The survey was carried out while Wyboston Lakes Resort is investing £3m in transforming its premier conference and events venue to become The Woodlands Event Centre.

Louisa Watson, Director of Marketing at Wyboston Lakes Resort commented: “It is fascinating to see these findings. While we, like most venues, continually talk to potential clients about what they are looking for, a substantial survey like this gives us a clear overview, insight and guidance on what really matters to them.

“Our research before investing in our venue highlighted the importance of AV and presentation technology so this survey supports our decision to invest £0.5m in IT and technology.

“Despite this, many agents, venues and event organisers will perhaps be surprised that high quality AV and presentation technology came top.”

Flower Fairies, a Unicorn and a Wizard Suite Set the Scene at Hunton Park Hotel’s Secret Garden Party

Thursday, 20 September, 2018 - 09:10

The Mercure London North Watford Hunton Park Hotel hosted a Secret Garden Party on Thursday 13th September, to celebrate the launch of their new Garden Marquee, one of the largest event spaces within 20 miles of Central London.

Guests were invited to attend the event to view the marquee which can accommodate up to 500 guests for a seated banquet and 700 guests theatre style. The marquee was decorated for the event by Dress It Yourself, and different themes were created, including Christmas, Meetings, Weddings and Teambuilding.

Guests enjoyed canapes provided by recommended caterer, Premier Banqueting and themed food bites by Hunton Park’s own team of chefs. In the Christmas area guests indulged in traditional Christmas dinner bites with brussel leaf and cranberries, and mini fish and chips, sushi, crab, avocado & gazpacho and scallops with black pudding in the other themed areas.

Guests also enjoyed themed cocktails including Rose in the Clouds, Aviator, Baby Bellini and Elderflower Fizz.

Tours were provided of the Hazelwood Suite event space which is currently being refurbished and the exciting latest addition to their bedroom collection – a family suite with a famous wizard theme – Hunton Park is located just 5 minutes from Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studio Tour. 

A real highlight of the event was the entertainment which really embraced the secret garden party theme. There was a unicorn on arrival, woodland creatures including two flower fairies, a tree stilt walker and a faun, as well as the Hedgemen who were a huge hit with guests. Guests were also kept entertained by magicians Lee Smith and Luke Clough, by Zing Events who provided garden games and by young, modern musical duet, Acoustik.

Stewart Graham, General Manager said,
“The launch of our brand-new Garden Marquee was a huge success, and I want to thank everyone who took their time to attend our Secret Garden themed party. I was incredibly proud of my team and I was really pleased to hear so many positive comments of Hunton Park Hotel after its journey over the past year.

We received fantastic feedback from each of the guests regarding the new space, and we were able to unveil the exciting addition of our new family suite.  We will be updating guests and clients soon on the extension to our Hazelwood Suite, which will be completed next month.”

Mercure London North Watford Hunton Park Hotel is part of the Accor Hotels Mercure brand portfolio and is managed by Countrywide Hotels. The hotel is in Kings Langley, near Watford, 15 minutes by train from Central London and just off the M1 and M25. It has 61 bedrooms, a restaurant, bar, indoor swimming pool, 18-hole pitch and putt course, croquet lawn and 22 events spaces including the beautiful Orangery, Terrace Marquee and new Garden Marquee. The grand Garden Marquee has a spacious entrance hall and a unique curved structure, one of only five of its kind in Europe. It is beautifully decorated with a suspended hardwood floor, elegant pleated ivory lining on the walls, an ivory LED star cloth ceiling canopy and 14 twinkling chandeliers.

For further information on Hunton Park Hotel please visit www.huntonparkhotel.com

  

New General Manager Takes the Helm at Holiday Inn London - Brentford Lock

Tuesday, 18 September, 2018 - 09:28

Holiday Inn London – Brentford Lock has appointed Damian Frewer as its new General Manager. The experienced hotelier from the Cotswolds, will oversee operations at the IHG property, which is part of the RBH portfolio.

Damian (39) joins the four-star, 133-bed hotel with two decades of industry experience, having worked his way up the ranks from his first position as a porter to secure his first General Manager appointment in August this year.  

Within his role Damian will lead the 50 strong team at the property, which overlooks the scenic waterways of the Grand Union Canal.

Damian has previously worked with InterContinental Hotels Group in operations and food and beverage roles, and even enjoyed working in New Zealand for a spell, prior to joining the UK’s leading independent hotel management company, RBH, this summer.

Damian said:

This has been an ambition of mine for many years and I’m excited to get to work.

Holiday Inn London – Brentford Lock is already a fantastic place to visit and work and my goal is to ensure our reputation speaks for itself and that we’re the first choice over our competitors in the area.

I’m delighted to have been welcomed into the RBH family and I’m looking forward to my future here.”

Holiday Inn London – Brentford Lock is conveniently located 20 minutes from London Heathrow Airport and Central London can be reached in under 40 minutes.

The hotel is operated by the UK’s leading independent hotel management company, RBH.

The team at DoubleTree by Hilton Cambridge Belfry has celebrated joining one of Hilton’s 14 market-leading brands

Tuesday, 18 September, 2018 - 09:19

Ruth Poulton, Vice Chair Cambourne Parish Council, cut the ribbon to declare the hotel – formerly The Cambridge Belfry – officially open under its new name.

Ruth joined the hotel’s General Manager, Darren Townsend, for a tour of the hotel which has benefitted from a £1.8 million refurbishment as part of its rebrand.

This included redecoration of all bedrooms, with the installation of 49” wall mounted TVs, safes, fridges, complete bedding renewal and decoration – as well as a makeover for the hotel’s reception and bar, plus leisure changing areas.

The property, which is managed by the UK’s leading hotel management company, RBH, joins 47 other hotels within the DoubleTree by Hilton portfolio in the UK.

The 120 room DoubleTree by Hilton Cambridge Belfry offers guests a relaxing stay, as the hotel boats a spa with seven treatment rooms, including Espa treatments, a nail salon and relaxation lounge. Guests can also replenish at the Leisure Club, which features an indoor pool, Jacuzzi spa, steam room and sauna.

Situated in Cambourne, the outskirts of the University town, DoubleTree by Hilton Cambridge Belfry provides easy access to a number of well-known attractions and activities, such as Duxford Air Museum, the University of Cambridge and punting on the River Cam. After a day exploring the town, guests can experience British cuisine with a twist at the Three Bridge restaurant or cosy up at the Bridge Bar with a few beverages and light snacks.

For meetings and events, the hotel offers eight meeting rooms with the largest room holding up to 180-seated delegates with natural daylight – perfect for any special occasion.

Darren Townsend, General Manager of DoubleTree by Hilton Cambridge Belfry said:

We’re pleased to officially call the hotel part of the DoubleTree by Hilton family. The brand is globally-recognised, and reiterates to guests the exceptional standards of service they should expect when they visit us here in Cambridge.

It was wonderful to welcome Ruth Poulton here to officially open the hotel under its new name, and to have the opportunity to show him around the hotel and introduce the team. We look forward to welcoming guests, and offering the best possible guest experience.”

Ruth Poulton, Vice Chair Cambourne Parish Council, said:

I’m honoured to have been invited to officially mark the unveiling of the newly-named DoubleTree by Hilton Cambridge Belfry, and to have the chance to see the investment that has already gone into the property as a result of the rebrand.

This hotel has been part of the town for a number of years and, now that it is part of the globally-recognised Hilton brand, I am confident it will continue to attract visitors from near and far to the town.”

DoubleTree by Hilton is part of Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest-loyalty program for Hilton's 14 distinct hotel brands. Members who book directly have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a stay, an exclusive member discount, free standard Wi-Fi and access to the Hilton Honors mobile app.

Hilton Garden Inn Silverstone will overlook the starting grid at the iconic race circuit when it opens in 2020

Tuesday, 18 September, 2018 - 09:14

Hilton is due to make its debut at the UK’s premier motor racing venue and has signed a management agreement with Bricks Capital Ltd to open Hilton Garden Inn Silverstone.

The 197 guest room hotel, which is due to open in 2020, will include a rooftop terrace and offer raceday hospitality experiences for all the major sporting events held at the venue. The hotel will enhance the circuit’s offering outside of the race calendar and have direct access, via a cross-circuit footbridge, to The Silverstone Wing Conference Centre – Silverstone’s iconic event venue, with 12,500 square metres of flexible space for up to 3,000 people.

Built on the site of a World War II Royal Air Force airfield, Silverstone is the internationally-renowned home of British Motor Racing and sits at the heart of Motorsport Valley – a region of the south Midlands and Oxfordshire that is the home to a cluster of globally successful motorsport teams.

Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president, development, EMEA, said: “Silverstone held the very first British Grand Prix 70 years ago and has continually hosted the event since 1987, drawing hundreds of thousands of spectators and millions of viewers around the world each year. Hilton embodies the venue’s racing legacy with a long-standing partnership with the McLaren Formula 1 Team. We are privileged to open a hotel in such a prominent location on the circuit and we cannot wait to begin welcoming guests to this iconic location.”

The new build hotel will be constructed on Silverstone’s International Pits straight, with extensive views over the track. Along with a rooftop terrace, the hotel will include a restaurant and coffee shop, while guests will be able to enjoy views of the circuit from the comfort of their guestroom balconies.

Peter Prickett, CEO, Bricks Capital Ltd, said: “This site is in an outstanding location. The Wing, which will have direct access to the hotel, has helped elevate Silverstone to more than just a racetrack. Our partnership with Hilton and the opening of Hilton Garden Inn Silverstone will enhance the circuit’s appeal, offering quality hospitality year-round.”

Stuart Pringle, Managing Director, Silverstone, said: “Silverstone welcomes over 1.5 million visitors through the gates every year and we anticipate this number will increase to over 2 million by 2020.  The Silverstone Experience – a brand new visitor attraction celebrating the past, present and future of the circuit and British motorsport opens in Spring 2019 and this, along with our increased growth in the conference and exhibition side of the business, has resulted in a growing demand for quality accommodation at the circuit.”

Silverstone will be the latest sporting venue to host a Hilton branded hotel. Globally Hilton operates more than 30 stadium hotels and in UK locations such as Hilton Ageas Bowl, Hilton Garden Inn Manchester Emirates Old Trafford and the soon-to-open Hilton Garden Inn Doncaster Racecourse.

Hilton Garden Inn Silverstone will be located at Silverstone Circuit, Towcester, Northamptonshire, NN12 8TN.

Lime Venue Portfolio: Health and Wellbeing Can Support Incentive Sector growth

Monday, 17 September, 2018 - 15:09

The meetings and event industry’s efforts in health and wellbeing present a great opportunity for growth in the incentive sector, according to Lime Venue Portfolio, Sales Director, Jo Austin. The venue group hosts hundreds of incentive meetings and team-building events every year, and with the Eventwell 18 campaign kicking off this week, Jo believes that the incentive sector of can have a lot to contribute to the industry’s own efforts in wellbeing.

“There is a genuine effort from many businesses to show a positive approach to their people and how incentive programmes can support wellness programmes,” continues Jo. “Within our own client base, we work with exceptional agencies who understand how these events can make a positive impact on staff wellbeing. With the industry celebrating Eventwell 18, it will be interesting to hear what these agencies have to contribute, not just within our industry but across business.”

Over the last 18 months, the industry has launched a number of initiatives from Eventwell, to #eventtoo, and focused on wellbeing through industry associations (HBAA, ILEA, mia, MPI & ABPCO) and events, from Confex, IMEX to The Meetings Show, Square Meal and IBTM World, among others. This activity underlines the industry’s growing interest in helping to support clients organising events that address the health and wellbeing of staff.

“Many within the meetings and events industry have labelled 2018 as a crucial year for wellness within the industry, and increasingly the subject is gaining higher profile commentary, and benefiting from a number of positive initiatives, including Eventwell,” continues Jo. “At Lime Venue Portfolio, we’re seeing a rise in this kind of internal company event, businesses see them as an opportunity to communicate their businesses ethical stance and increasingly this is steered around wellness and sustainability.”

Jo Austin, Sales Director, Lime Venue Portfolio

High quality AV and presentation technology is most important aspect of conference venue, reveals Wyboston Lakes Resort survey of event professionals

Friday, 14 September, 2018 - 12:49

‘A good range of high quality AV and presentation technology and support staff’ is the most important aspect when choosing a conference venue, other than cost and suitability of rooms.

This feature of venues came top in a poll of almost 100 event professionals carried out by Wyboston Lakes Resort, the UK’s largest privately-owned single site conference and leisure venue.

‘Good customer service’ was a close second with ‘the quality of food’ just behind in third place.

Respondents were asked to choose their top three priorities from a lengthy list of venue features and these three were clearly at the top. In fourth place was ‘Free wi-fi for delegates,’ ‘clarity on pricing’ was fifth and ‘a venue that understands our priorities’ in sixth, just ahead of ‘good lighting in meeting rooms including natural light.’

In eighth place was ‘comfortable seating’ and while ‘Other’ was ninth, most specified ‘accessibility of the location.’  ‘Creativity in food options’ completed the Top Ten.

The survey was carried out while Wyboston Lakes Resort is investing £3m in transforming its premier conference and events venue to become The Woodlands Event Centre.

Louisa Watson, Director of Marketing at Wyboston Lakes Resort commented: “It is fascinating to see these findings. While we, like most venues, continually talk to potential clients about what they are looking for, a substantial survey like this gives us a clear overview, insight and guidance on what really matters to them.

“Our research before investing in our venue highlighted the importance of AV and presentation technology so this survey supports our decision to invest £0.5m in IT and technology.

“Despite this, many agents, venues and event organisers will perhaps be surprised that high quality AV and presentation technology came top.”

 

The Lume hotel celebrates official opening on Oxford Road in Manchester

Tuesday, 11 September, 2018 - 14:18

New 19-storey hotel development The Lume, which is dual branded with both Crowne Plaza® and Staybridge Suites® hotel brands, has officially opened and welcomes its first guests this week.

Occupying the lower 12-storeys, Crowne Plaza Manchester features 212 guest rooms, a 120-seat restaurant, bar, fully equipped 24-hour gym, club lounge and seven state-of-the-art meeting rooms catering for over 200 delegates.

Located on the upper seven floors, Staybridge Suites offers a mix of 116 modern studio and one-bedroom suites featuring fully-equipped kitchens and panoramic views of the city from the terrace on the 18th floor.

Guests also have access to the 24-hour gym, laundry facilities and complimentary hot and cold buffet breakfast in the “Hub” kitchen. The hotel will also host ‘The Social’ three evenings a week, an informal opportunity for guests to mingle and get to know their on-site team over complimentary drinks and nibbles.

Andrew Fletcher, The Lume's General Manager, said: “We couldn’t be more pleased to have opened this stunning dual branded-hotel. For the first time, thanks to The Lume, travellers to the north of England will have the choice of two different hotel styles in one central location.”

“Giving both business and leisure travellers a new way to experience Manchester is something we have been excited about for some time. We have combined two hotels under one roof and are naturally delighted to now welcome people into what is a brilliant, relevant and flexible offer,” Fletcher also commented.

Both Crowne Plaza and Staybridge Suites are hotel brands of IHG® (InterContinental Hotels Group) and are located in the bustling Oxford Road area and within walking distance of the city centre.

The dual-branded hotel development forms part of the University of Manchester’s Campus Masterplan, which includes the wider redevelopment of Alliance Manchester Business School. It also adjoins its new two-storey Executive Education Centre, which will provide a new home for the business school’s corporate leadership and management programmes.

Due to The Lume’s easy access to transport links and Manchester’s major tourism attractions and commercial hubs, short and long-stay business clients, leisure visitors, entrepreneurs, academics and those visiting the universities nearby, are all expected to become regular guests.

Explaining the name, The Lume, General Manager Andrew said: “We chose this to celebrate our light-filled ‘illuminated’ hotel and to recognise the textile ‘loom’, an innovation that will forever be linked to Manchester.

“Our meeting rooms are also named after famous University of Manchester alumni including Alan Turing, Sir Howard Bernstein and Sir Arthur Stanley Eddington.”

He added: “It’s important to also highlight the importance of the Oxford Road Corridor, where The Lume is located. The Oxford Road Corridor is an innovation district south of Manchester city centre, running the length of Oxford Road from St Peter's Square to Whitworth Park, and West from Higher Cambridge Street to Upper Brook street in the East.

“More than 60,000 people also call the district home, with institutions including The University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust all based there.

“We are confident that The Lume is very much one of a kind in Manchester city centre and are looking forward to meeting guests and visitors over the next few months and beyond.”

Bookings can be made directly via the hotel’s websites:

Crowne Plaza: www.cpmanchesteroxfordroad.com
Staybridge Suites: www.staybridgesuites.com/manchesteroxfr
For more information, go to thelumemanchester.com

Panasonic PT- RZ laser projection among the next generation technology to be unveiled at The Woodlands Event Centre

Tuesday, 11 September, 2018 - 10:38

Delegates and presenters at events will be able to take advantage of the latest presentation tech, with the brightest and sharpest image projection currently available.  Leading edge communications techniques including digital flipcharts, advanced optical front projector screens and wireless HDMI facilities are being introduced at The Woodlands Event Centre, Wyboston Lakes Resort. 

As part of a £3m plus investment to completely refurbish the conference and training equipment, £0.5m is being spent on the AV and IT network alone. 

Craig Warner Director of IT at Wyboston Lakes Resort, comments “IT is now a key consideration for conference and event planners when selecting a venue. As part of our refurbishment of our meetings spaces, we have taken it one step further to ensure that our digital ecosystem is future proofed.”

Craig continues “Whatever the event requirements may be, a wide range of cutting edge options will ensure delegates have a packed, productive and valuable experience at Wyboston Lakes Resort”. 

Presentations will be enhanced by the Panasonic PT-RZ series laser projectors with Infinity display screen, for the sharpest and brightest image quality currently available.  Located in the Rosewood Suite they provide features such as immersive picture quality, low-maintenance stability and a dynamic user interface. Apple AirPlay is also available.

The Rosewood Suite, which will seat up to 450 theatre, will also feature fantastic Sennheiser digital mics offering studio quality audio and Crestron controlled lighting, allowing the organisers the ability to quickly set and adjust lighting levels to suit the demands of the event.

Smart Kapp-Digital Flip Charts will be available for use in training rooms, this will enable attendees to share content remotely with colleagues anywhere in the world when they write, draw and erase ideas on the capture board. They can do this by connecting a Bluetooth®-enabled mobile device to the capture board and scanning a Quick Response (QR) code or by tapping the Near Field Communication (NFC).

Meeting organisers will be able to increase engagement, collaboration and creativity among participants by using the 86” LED display which will be installed in The Yew technology theatre. The theatre will also be equipped with Dolby Atmos speakers providing an immersive sound experience. Meetings planners can also book a facility to join their colleagues around the world seamlessly or for more social aspects of the event such as evening entertainment in the form of ‘a night at the movies’ or ‘Karaoke’.

Built in applications are available for displaying content with easy connection to additional equipment, such as ClickShare or HDMI devices.

1.3Gb of high speed internet is offered across the site and in all facilities, this will ensure delegates receive good bandwidth, with no passwords or limitations, completely free. Wireless connectivity from PC, Mac, iOS & Android devices will allow delegates to interact easily and participate in the session. 

To save delegates hunting for sockets and trailing across rooms, some of the new conference tables will come designed with integrated 13A and USB power sockets. Top tables also feature HDMI sockets and all principal rooms have wireless connectivity for laptops to stream seamlessly to large screens. Social tables and quiet spaces are also being introduced, where delegates can network with one another or take time out to catch up on work or personal matters, and they will also be equipped with 13A and USB power sockets.

Self-check-in kiosks for bedrooms are being added in addition to the venue’s well-staffed team of lobby hosts ensuring the check in process is both speedy and the guests’ data is kept secure. Digital signage both externally and internally will aid guests in getting to their meeting on time.

For more information, please visit www.wybostonlakes.co.uk

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