A dual-branded hotel development called ‘the Lume’ has opened in Manchester this week
Owned by M&L Hospitality and managed by Cycas Hospitality, the 328-bedroom, 19-storey development will feature two InterContinental Hotels Group brands: Crowne Plaza and Staybridge Suites.
Crowne Plaza Manchester – Oxford Road will occupy the lower 12 storeys and feature 212 bedrooms, a 120-cover restaurant called the Laureate, the Graduate bar, a gym, a club lounge and seven meeting rooms.
The extended stay brand Staybridge Suites will be located on the upper seven floors of the development, with 116 studio and one-bedroom suites with fully-equipped kitchens. Staybridge guests will also have access to an 18th floor terrace, the gym, laundry facilities and a complimentary hot and cold breakfast buffet in the ‘Hub’ kitchen.
The development is part of the University of Manchester’s campus masterplan and will adjoin its new executive education centre, the new home for the Alliance Manchester Business School’s corporate leadership and management programmes.
The Lume references both the ‘loom’, a nod to the city’s textile history, and the university’s ‘alumni’ including Alan Turing, Sir Howard Bernstein and Sir Arthur Stanley Eddington, after whom the meeting rooms are named.
Hilton has announced the opening of Grand Hotel Villa Torretta Milan Sesto, Curio Collection by Hilton. The 16th century property joins more than 55 Curio Collection by Hilton hotels around the world, including ten in Europe – two of which are also in Italy – La Bagnaia Golf & Spa Resort Siena and Aleph Rome Hotel.
BrewDog Doghouse Columbus has a beer tap in every bedroom as well as conference facilities for thirsty meetings.
Scottish beer maker Brewdog’s new beer hotel has now opened in Columbus, Ohio, with each bedroom containing a well-stocked fridge and draught beer tap.
At the Doghouse Columbus you can “awake each morning with the aromas from gently fermenting foeders even before you head down for breakfast.”
The hotel has 32 rooms and eight deluxe suites, a gym, a marketplace for takeaway food and selected dog-friendly rooms.
It also has meeting and conference facilities, with its museum ‘Craft Beer for the People’ doubling as a conference centre. There is also a training room, a mezzanine level, lounge and observation deck for meetings or training.
Even the free soap in the hotel rooms is made from beer, but happily the shower is just a normal water one.
Plans afoot for five-star hotel in Cardiff city centre
Plans are being discussed for a five-star venue in Cardiff’s city centre, which would stretch across the adjoining and historic Parkgate and old County Court buildings on Westgate Street.
The proposed hotel would bring up to 300 bedrooms to the centre of Cardiff, as well as a high-end restaurant for guests and the general public, according to Wales Online.
The plans come at a timely moment, as the new ICC Wales is scheduled to open in 2019, attracting swathes of conference delegates to the area.
The last five-star rated hotel in the centre of Cardiff, was the Hilton. The only five star hotel currently in the city is the St David’s Hotel & Spa just outside the centre in Cardiff Bay.
Tour of London – The Clapham Grand – the final stop
As Alex’s tour nears the end, his final stop was to see The Grand Clapham. Here’s his thoughts on what the venue has to offer…
The Clapham Grand is a traditional theatre over one hundred years old, and now operates as a nightclub, live music venue, cinema, and also takes bookings for private hire events. The theatre is directly opposite Clapham Junction station for National Rail and London Overground Services. The venue has a large stalls on the ground floor, with a balcony and boxes overlooking, as well as a private bar that can be hired separately. The venue has been decorated in a modern manner, albeit in a traditional building.
“I enjoyed visiting the venue, although the lack of a nearby Underground Station may make it relatively difficult to access by London’s standards. The venue could work well for clients looking for something unusual, or a corporate away-day or creative team building style activities.”
Heading over to Aldgate, Alex stopped of at the Qbic London and here’s his take on the hotel…
The Qbic London is located just off Altab Ali Park in the Aldgate/Brick Lane area of the City of London. For fashionistas, the hotel is a very short walk from the famous Brick Lane Market, and is less than a five minute walk from either Aldgate East or Aldgate Stations.
The hotel opens onto a cosy informal reception area, which is also a lounge, bar and the hotel’s main restaurant. The hotel has just three meeting rooms, two of which are directly off the restaurant (and can be combined with each other), both enjoy natural daylight. They are of a small size, together they can fit around 30 delegates. There is also a smaller meeting room downstairs on the lower ground floor that does not have natural daylight, this is the hotel’s last-let room for meetings.
The hotel as a whole is decorated in a stylish modern way with lots of colour and informal touches, the design is to not be a typical corporate-feeling hotel, and instead to be more orientated towards a creative, youthful atmosphere. The bedrooms are slightly unique, they all have a pod built inside them that encompasses the bed and bathroom, these pods are placed into empty bedrooms and built from the inside.
“The hotel is one of London’s most sustainable hotels, and has a key focus on being as green-friendly as possible. A lot of hotels pay lip-service to being green, but the Qbic is one of the most consistently environmentally friendly properties I have visited, which is impressive for a densely urban location. The décor is very modern, funky, and youthful, and is well suited for clients looking for a venue which reflects those attributes.”
The meeting rooms are located upstairs with a large mezzanine area overlooking the atrium. This mezzanine area is used for catering (either set times or free-flowing) and registration if needs be, there is also some soft seating for informal breakouts. The meeting rooms are nice and fresh, with lots of natural daylight, overlooking the neighbouring streets. The bedrooms are decorated in a nice corporate manner, and are of a decent size.
“Perhaps the hotel’s nicest feature is the Savage Garden Restaurant, located at the top of the hotel on the 12th floor, with views towards the Thames, the Tower of London, and the Shard. The restaurant has several areas that can be completely privatized (including two private rooms), either for daytime meetings, or more typically for drinks receptions, dinners and parties. The views are lovely, and include some iconic London sights.”
Coming away from Canary Wharf, Alex headed over to Tower Bridge to see what the hotels here had to offer. First stop – The Doubletree Tower Bridge. Here’s his take on property…
The Doubletree Tower Bridge is a modern purpose-built hotel less than a five minute walk from Tower Hill station, and Tower Gateway DLR station, and the Tower of London itself. The hotel opens onto a large spacious atrium which is about two/three stories high, with a large glass skyroof flooding the area with natural daylight.
The meeting rooms are located upstairs with a large mezzanine area overlooking the atrium. This mezzanine area is used for catering (either set times or free-flowing) and registration if needs be, there is also some soft seating for informal breakouts. The meeting rooms are nice and fresh, with lots of natural daylight, overlooking the neighbouring streets. The bedrooms are decorated in a nice corporate manner, and are of a decent size.
“Perhaps the hotel’s nicest feature is the Savage Garden Restaurant, located at the top of the hotel on the 12th floor, with views towards the Thames, the Tower of London, and the Shard. The restaurant has several areas that can be completely privatized (including two private rooms), either for daytime meetings, or more typically for drinks receptions, dinners and parties. The views are lovely, and include some iconic London sights.”
Coming away from Canary Wharf, Alex headed over to Tower Bridge to see what the hotels here had to offer. First stop – The Doubletree Tower Bridge. Here’s his take on property…
The Doubletree Tower Bridge is a modern purpose-built hotel less than a five minute walk from Tower Hill station, and Tower Gateway DLR station, and the Tower of London itself. The hotel opens onto a large spacious atrium which is about two/three stories high, with a large glass skyroof flooding the area with natural daylight.
The meeting rooms are located upstairs with a large mezzanine area overlooking the atrium. This mezzanine area is used for catering (either set times or free-flowing) and registration if needs be, there is also some soft seating for informal breakouts. The meeting rooms are nice and fresh, with lots of natural daylight, overlooking the neighbouring streets. The bedrooms are decorated in a nice corporate manner, and are of a decent size.
“Perhaps the hotel’s nicest feature is the Savage Garden Restaurant, located at the top of the hotel on the 12th floor, with views towards the Thames, the Tower of London, and the Shard. The restaurant has several areas that can be completely privatized (including two private rooms), either for daytime meetings, or more typically for drinks receptions, dinners and parties. The views are lovely, and include some iconic London sights.”
Tour of London – The Doubletree Tower Bridge
Coming away from Canary Wharf, Alex headed over to Tower Bridge to see what the hotels here had to offer. First stop – The Doubletree Tower Bridge. Here’s his take on property…
The Doubletree Tower Bridge is a modern purpose-built hotel less than a five minute walk from Tower Hill station, and Tower Gateway DLR station, and the Tower of London itself. The hotel opens onto a large spacious atrium which is about two/three stories high, with a large glass skyroof flooding the area with natural daylight.
The meeting rooms are located upstairs with a large mezzanine area overlooking the atrium. This mezzanine area is used for catering (either set times or free-flowing) and registration if needs be, there is also some soft seating for informal breakouts. The meeting rooms are nice and fresh, with lots of natural daylight, overlooking the neighbouring streets. The bedrooms are decorated in a nice corporate manner, and are of a decent size.
“Perhaps the hotel’s nicest feature is the Savage Garden Restaurant, located at the top of the hotel on the 12th floor, with views towards the Thames, the Tower of London, and the Shard. The restaurant has several areas that can be completely privatized (including two private rooms), either for daytime meetings, or more typically for drinks receptions, dinners and parties. The views are lovely, and include some iconic London sights.”
Apollo Hotels is officially part of the Fattal Hotel Group
Apollo Hotels is now part of the Fattal Hotel Group, one of the fastest growing hotel companies in Europe that operates under well known brands such as Leonardo Hotels, NYX Hotels and Jurys Inn in the UK. This means that a fourth great hotel in Amsterdam for meetings & events will be available with the launch of the Leonardo Royal Hotel Amsterdam – opening Spring 2019.
4 Star Superior Hotel
Plenary Room for 850 people
Pre Function Space of 300 sqm
11 Conference Rooms
Roof Garden Terrace of 600 sqm
490 Bedrooms & Suites
The takeover of 13 Apollo Hotels announced late in June is now officially complete. Fattal Hotel Group has named Alexander Kluit, former Area Manager of Apollo Hotels, as Managing Director, the Netherlands & Belgium. “The ‘feeling good” motto is perfectly in keeping with the identity of Apollo Hotels.”
Alexander Kluit appointed Managing Director, the Netherlands & Belgium
In Europe, the Fattal Hotel Group operates under the flag of Leonardo Hotels. As a result of the takeover, the hotels in the Netherlands & Belgium will collaborate as a cluster. Besides the 13 Dutch Apollo Hotels still managed under the existing brand, Alexander Kluit will also become responsible for the Leonardo Hotels in Amsterdam, Antwerp and Charleroi. “Last Friday, our Management Teams became acquainted with our new colleagues and we bade a proud farewell to our founders, Willem-Jan van den Dijssel, Bas Tolmeijer and Francesco Monaco. It is so amazing what they achieved together. From literally nothing to become one of the largest hospitality enterprises of the Netherlands. And so, our organisation was ready for the next major step.”
Apollo Hotels, by Fattal Hotel Group
“The brand values of Apollo Hotels and Fattal Hotel Group have a great deal in common. In recent years, Apollo Hotels has worked hard at repositioning itself, in which we have broken rules in order to create a more enjoyable and better-quality stay for guests. The Fattal Hotel Group motto of ‘feeling good’ is perfectly in keeping with this. We are driven by great ambitions for growth and strive for unique quality standards in personal service.” According to Alexander Kluit – Managing director of Fattal Hotel Group, the Netherlands & Belgium.
Fattal reinforces its Dutch market position with Apollo Hotels
Daniel Roger – Managing Director of Fattal Hotel Group, Europe & UK. “The takeover of 13 Apollo Hotels is a new and important step forward in the growth of Fattal Hotel Group, since the takeover of 36 Jurys Inn brand hotels in Great Britain and Ireland at the end of 2017. We are systematically expanding our brand awareness and are proud to considerably reinforce our Dutch market position by means of this takeover. The new Leonardo Royal Hotel will open in Amsterdam in spring 2019. This will increase the Fattal Hotel Group portfolio in the Dutch capital to 4 Apollo Hotels and 2 Leonardo Hotels, comprising more than 1500 rooms.”
The venue is very corporate, clean and functional, and is built around a large central atrium which provides all of the meeting rooms with lots of natural daylight. All of the meeting rooms I saw where very white and modern (as is the venue as a whole).
“The venue is very much a “it is what it says on the tin” venue – it is well designed for day-time corporate events looking to be close to Canary Wharf in a nice, modern, corporate style venue with a large capacity and lots of breakout rooms if required.”
Stop 6 of his tour of London and Canary Wharf, Alex took in more of the corporate experience that De Vere Canary Wharf has to offer meeting planners…
The De Vere Canary Wharf is located about a 5 minute walk from Canary Wharf, off of Westferry Circus. The venue is also a short walk from Westferry DLR, and is also close to Canary Wharf Pier for Thames Riverboat services.
The venue is very corporate, clean and functional, and is built around a large central atrium which provides all of the meeting rooms with lots of natural daylight. All of the meeting rooms I saw where very white and modern (as is the venue as a whole).
“The venue is very much a “it is what it says on the tin” venue – it is well designed for day-time corporate events looking to be close to Canary Wharf in a nice, modern, corporate style venue with a large capacity and lots of breakout rooms if required.”
Stop 6 of his tour of London and Canary Wharf, Alex took in more of the corporate experience that De Vere Canary Wharf has to offer meeting planners…
The De Vere Canary Wharf is located about a 5 minute walk from Canary Wharf, off of Westferry Circus. The venue is also a short walk from Westferry DLR, and is also close to Canary Wharf Pier for Thames Riverboat services.
The venue is very corporate, clean and functional, and is built around a large central atrium which provides all of the meeting rooms with lots of natural daylight. All of the meeting rooms I saw where very white and modern (as is the venue as a whole).
“The venue is very much a “it is what it says on the tin” venue – it is well designed for day-time corporate events looking to be close to Canary Wharf in a nice, modern, corporate style venue with a large capacity and lots of breakout rooms if required.”
Tour of London – De Vere Canary Wharf
Stop 6 of his tour of London and Canary Wharf, Alex took in more of the corporate experience that De Vere Canary Wharf has to offer meeting planners…
The De Vere Canary Wharf is located about a 5 minute walk from Canary Wharf, off of Westferry Circus. The venue is also a short walk from Westferry DLR, and is also close to Canary Wharf Pier for Thames Riverboat services.
The venue is very corporate, clean and functional, and is built around a large central atrium which provides all of the meeting rooms with lots of natural daylight. All of the meeting rooms I saw where very white and modern (as is the venue as a whole).
“The venue is very much a “it is what it says on the tin” venue – it is well designed for day-time corporate events looking to be close to Canary Wharf in a nice, modern, corporate style venue with a large capacity and lots of breakout rooms if required.”
The Hilton Belgrade has recently opened in the Serbian capital city, and can offer business travellers 242 guest room and suites, and 656 square metres / 7,061 square feet of event space in the heart of Old Town. The Hilton Belgrade’s largest room is 406 square metre / 4,370 square foot Tsar Dusan Ballroom, features five-metre-high / sixteen-feet-high ceilings and natural daylight as well as enough space for up to 526 delegates for a presentation or up to 300 for a formal banquet. There is a large pre-function area, also with natural light, as well as a variety of combinable multifunction rooms ideal for everything from seminars and training sessions to executive luncheons. There is also a sleek, modern boardroom that can seat up to 14 delegates.
