Katharine Jordan, Author at EDGE Venues

2nd December 2015

Novotel Madrid Centre Reopens

A totally renovated NOVOTEL MADRID CENTER reopened its doors after a year of remodelling works. The hotel is the biggest Novotel in the world, with some of the largest spaces for meetings and events in Madrid. Located in the heart of the city, just 5 minutes’ walk from El Retiro Park and 11 km from the airport, the establishment has an enviable location.

It boasts 790 rooms and 2,400 m2 of space for meetings and events (divided across 23 rooms designed to meet the most exacting technological requirements and ensure the highest possible levels of service and comfort), making it one of the venues in the capital equipped to host large-scale meetings.

Of particular note with respect to the remodelling are the hotel’s new spaces, including a rooftop swimming pool and terrace (open from June 2016), a fitness centre on the top floor with panoramic views.

All of the hotel’s architectural and decorative elements combine design and functionality with energy efficiency, achieving a perfect integration of nature with some utterly leading-edge touches.

2nd December 2015

Vienna Convention Bureau’S Eco-Label License Renewed

The Vienna Tourist Board’s Vienna Convention Bureau has been licensed to certify meetings as green meetings for another four years. The license – first issued to the bureau in the year 2011 – has to be renewed at regular intervals. It offers significant advantages in the international conference sector.

All over the world, organizers of congresses, corporate events and incentives are increasingly following the trend to stage their events as green meetings, which take into account climate protection, regional value-added and social acceptability. The route to official certification leads via a licensee who advises the organizer and handles the formalities necessary to certify the relevant meetings as “green”. The latter is also bound by strict environmental protection regulations. The license for this purpose – the Austrian Eco-label for Green Meetings – is always issued for only four years by the Consumer Protection Association on behalf of the Ministry of Life. In order to renew the license, the licensee is obliged to qualify again, a procedure carried out in practice at a real event. The Vienna Convention Bureau – a licensee since November 2011 – successfully complied with the requirements for renewal with the 4th European Congress on the Use, Management and Conservation of Buildings of Historical Value held at the Hofburg Vienna on October 8 and 9, 2015. Green meetings are increasingly becoming an image factor in the international conference sector that is well received not only by delegates, customers and business partners, but also by the general public.

1st December 2015

Nhow To Open A Hotel In London

nhow, the contemporary, lifestyle brand which is part of the NH group is due to open a hotel in London during 2018. The hotel will be located at 250 City Road in the ‘Tech City’ area and has been designed by by Foster + Partners. The hotel will have 190 bedrooms and meeting space is to be confirmed. The brand already has hotels in Berlin, Milan and Rotterdam.

27th November 2015

Eynsham Hall Completes Refurbishment

Eynsham Hall, the hotel and venue near Witney in Oxfordshire, has just completed a £2.5m refurbishment programme. The work was carried out over the last 18 months and consists of 34 new main hall bedrooms and the refurbishment of 54 lodge rooms and public areas. A new brasserie has been created. Further improvements are being carried out to the surrounding 3,000 acres of grounds, which can be used for corporate events and teambuilding.

27th November 2015

New Hotel Openings In Berlin 2015

The Titanic Deluxe Berlin opened this spring and is a new 5 star hotel offering luxury pampering with a touch of Turkish Delight. Completely renovated, the landmark building nearby the Gendarmenmarkt and close to the Brandenburg Gate was once the costume house of the German Opera. the historical background is reflected in the design of the 208 guest rooms. The hotel is a choice for presentations and exclusive meetings.

Riu Plaza Hotel is the latest addition close to the Kurfuerstendamm shopping boulevard. This four star hotel has 357 bedrooms and also offers a high tech conference centre for up to 840 delegates. The Executive floors offer complimentary luxury amenities and welcomes guests to private meetings.

The new Amano Grand Central Hotel offers high level modern accommodation, all 250 bedrooms have a touch of luxury with quality design in a modern style. The Apartment roof top bar is a popular meeting place with superb view over Berlin.

The new Grimm’s Hotel Potsdamer Paltz has a playful – yet subtle – ambiance throughout this 3 star boutique hotel. located within walking distance of the Brandenburg Gate this charming hotel has 112 rooms and suites and small meeting and conference facilities.

26th November 2015

Mercure Haydock Park Hotel

The Haydock Park Hotel proudly became part of the Mercure portfolio this week and has been rebranded as ‘Mercure Haydock Park Hotel’.

The hotel has 135 bedrooms and meeting space that can accommodate up to 300 delegates.

25th November 2015

Rocco Forte Hotel Facts

Rocco Forte offer a family of highly individual luxury hotels and resorts, each with a unique sense of style inspired by their location. Here a few facts about some of their venues;

Browns Hotel in London is where the first telephone call was made.
The clock tower at The Balmoral runs three minutes fast so that you don’t miss your train – apart from on Hogmanay.
The Charles Hotels, Munich was named after Lord Charles Forte, Sir Rocco Forte’s father. . Hotel Amigo was a former prison and become a hotel in 1957.
Hotel de Russie has a secret garden in the heart of Rome.

24th November 2015

Ibtm Barcelona 2015 Report

Last week I had the pleasure of attending IBTM 2015 in Barcelona as a hosted buyer, together with my colleagues Paula, Amy and Tracy. Attending my first major event it was great to engage with the many nations and venues in the industry all willing to share their experiences and knowledge.

This was an exhibition on a huge scale. A full schedule of meetings and destination presentations to attend, each with valuable information to give, for myself and my client, including company/hotel updates and visions for the upcoming year. Also I got the chance to meet up with some unscheduled appointments when I had a bit of time to spare.

Being hosted by Marriott I also had the chance to have extra one on one time with some of our preferred partners properties in mainland Europe, which again benefited myself and my client’s needs going forwards.

As the evening approached I was invited to a drinks reception provided by my hosted buyer in which I also got to network with other hosted buyers from around the world.

All in all this was a great experience in all aspects with great contacts made, industry updates and saying hello to some old faces.

20th November 2015

Jurys Inn Hotel Group Adds 8 Hotels

Further to our article on 16 October, we can confirm that Jurys Inns will increase the number of UK hotels to 36, by adding the following properties to their group:

The Oxford Hotel, Godstow Rd, Wolvercote, Oxford

The Parc Hotel, Park Place, Cardiff

The Middlesbrough Hotel, Fry Street, Middlesbrough

The Hinckley Island Hotel, Watling Street, Hinckley (pictured)

The East Midlands Skyway Hotel, East Midlands Airport

The Inverness Hotel, Millburn Rd, Inverness

The Aberdeen Skyway Hotel, Aberdeen Airport

The Golden Valley Hotel, Cheltenham

The hotels were previously part of The Hotel Collection and the transfer to Jurys Inns will start in November 2015.

The new hotels will undergo a refurbishment programme, estimated to cost £36 million that will include all bedrooms, public areas, bars, restaurants and also meeting and conference rooms. The re-brand will introduce an all-day Costa Coffee Bar.

The Jurys Inn portfolio is part of Amaris Hospitality group which owns 89 hotels in the brands of

Jurys Inn, Mercure, MGallery, DoubleTree by Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn.

17th November 2015

Etc Venues New Opening – Fenchurch St

Etc venues Fenchurch St, the latest addition to the Etc venues portolio, opened on Monday. Adjacent to Fenchurch St Station and just a short walk from Monument, Bank and Tower Hill Stations this is the most stylish venue to date with luxurious lounges, bold artwork and our own theatre kitchen. Offering 24,000 sqft of event space on a total of 15 rooms including 2 large conference rooms and options for Exclusive Use for up to 250 delegates with private catering and exhibition space with separate entrance.