Charlie – an app to save time researching new contacts
We’ve recently come across this really useful app which saves time when you want to find out about someone you’re meeting for the first time.
Charlie app is a way of finding out someone’s background. Rather than having to search different websites yourself, it searches through hundreds of sources and sends a one page summary, about the person, their social media activity and mentions, their interests as well as their company background. It synchronises with your calendar, so if you’re going to a meeting you can find out all about them beforehand.
Copenhagen – more hotels, refurbishments and take overs
The Danish capital is increasing hotel capacity with 2,247 new rooms being opened in the near future, resulting in a total capacity of close to 25,000 rooms. Here are some of the bigger developments:
New hotel openings
The Arp-Hansen Hotel Group will open their first hostel in the center of the city in the summer of 2017. The hostel will have 1,000 beds and 280 rooms, all with shower and toilet. This is to fulfil a demand for conferences with large groups of people, who wish to stay cheap and central.
Nimb Hotel, in the amusement park Tivoli Gardens, was recently awarded the prestigious award “Hotel of the year by Small Luxury Hotels of the World”. In late 2017, the hotel is to expand with 20 new luxury suites, plus a roof terrace with heated pool, restaurant and bar.
The meetings and conference venue, Charlottehaven, is constructing a new 16-storey tower, which will contain 37 apartments. Each apartment will be nearly twice the size of a traditional hotel room, and will include both kitchen and bath facilities. The hotel will have its own reception and lounge area. The new concept hotel is expected to be ready in late 2017.
The hotel expansions will continue in 2019, where the Danish low budget hotel chain CABINN will increase its extensive portfolio with a new hotel right next door to the Tivoli Congress Center and around the corner from the Copenhagen main train station. This property will have around 1,250 rooms of which 1,000 will be divided in CABINN’s standard range of hotel rooms, and the remaining 250 rooms will be established as CABINN Apartments with kitchenette, suitable for longer stays.
In the opposite side of the city, CABINN Metro is adding 530 hotel apartments with homely facilities, to its existing 710 rooms, opening late 2017. Hotel CABINN Metro is located a few minutes from Copenhagen airport and Scandinavia’s largest convention center,Bella Center.
Hotel takeovers and refurbishments
In October 2018, Scandic Hotels is to take over one of the city’s most popular hotels and conference centers – the Radisson Blu Falconer hotel. The hotel is located in the district of Frederiksberg in central Copenhagen, and the conference centre accommodates events for up to 3,000 people. In connection with the takeover, the hotel will go through an extensive renovation and extend to offer 300 rooms, and change name to Scandic Falconer.
Scandic Front Hotel, located right on the inner harbour has just modernized all its 132 rooms, where Scandinavian design tradition blending luxury with comfort is creating an even cosier, quieter and more homely experience.
Hotel Skt. Annae is a newly renovated 4-star hotel, previously known as Hotel Neptun, recently experienced a total makeover. However, the atmosphere of the hotel is affectionate preserved, so guests still can sense the hotels inherent history, in the heart of Copenhagen.
The Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC) has plans for a brand new exhibition and conference centre which is due to open in 2019. The current centre will remain open during the building works however by 2019 the space will have transformed.
Included in this redevelopment will be 3 hotels offering over 500 bedrooms on-site. The meeting/conference and exhibition space will be both flexible in size and functionality. There will be a 9000 square metre arena with a maximum capacity of 10,000 seated. Plus over 48,000 metre squared exhibition space as well as 21 other meeting rooms to be used for smaller/medium sized meetings or as syndicate spaces.
Three new hotels have opened in the Swedish capital giving an even greater choice of venues for conferences and meetings, as well as a Mamma Mia restaurant and entertainment.
The Haymarket by Scandic is art deco in style and hotel was developed from an old department store – the same store where Greta Garbo manned a counter before she went on to star in movies. It is close to the station which has a direct link to the airport.
The Grand Terrace Suite is an event area with 6 meeting rooms, a private roof top terrace and views over the rooftops. This can either be used as an open area for 600 people or divided into six in which case the largest room holds 90 people in theatre style. There is a cinema with 24 seats and perfect for a private film opening, pre screening or product launch. The hotel has 405 bedrooms.
The Scandic Continental is situated across from Stockholm Central station. Close to shopping areas, entertainment and restaurants. This hotel also has a roof terrace with views of Stockholm. There are
25 meeting rooms, the largest for 312 theatre-style. The space is flexible, so meeting rooms can be divided or combined for different size groups.
The Winery Hotel is a combined urban winery and boutique hotel a combination of accommodation, meeting and dining – with a love of fine wine at its heart. The hotel is located near Arenastaden, between Stockholm city centre and Arlanda Airport.
There are 3 meeting rooms, flexible space which when combined holds 228 people in theatre style or 2 rooms for 70 and 1 room for 84 people. There is a gym and rooftop pool, but the winery is the heart of the hotel, which is reflected in both its architecture and its interiors. Inspired by restored factory buildings in Brooklyn, the brick walls, concrete ceilings and large windows result in an industrial atmosphere. In contrast, the grape-green walls and golden-brown cork floors of the hotel rooms create a warm ambience. All of the rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows with a view of either Brunnsviken or Arenastaden. There is a guided tour of the winery every Monday – Saturday at 5pm and every Thursday, Friday and Saturday there is a wine tasting.
How about a Mamma Mia party?
The Nikos Taverna from the Mediterranean has been moved to Tyrol at Gröna Lund, Stockholm! You’ll discover the Ouzo and the Zorba, the food and the wine, the stars and the moon, the sound of the crickets in the heat of the night, and people singing and dancing to the music of ABBA. Just like the movie, but for real. There’s a Mediterranean buffet which is placed on your table. Everything happens on a magical evening in several acts filled with singing and dancing, daredevil stunts, Greek Gods.
The Studio Venues group, which is known for city-centre quirky and modern conference centres has until recently operated two properties, in Manchester and Birmingham. The Studio Leeds opened in September 2015, while the Studio Glasgow is due to open in September 2016, and should be large enough to host 250 delegates in a theatre style.
Quicket – an app for flight booking and travel information
Quicket is a travel app which you can use to book flights, find the best seat, locate the airport gate, see who else is on your flight and even track your flight. You get a countdown to check-in, boarding and landing time, and can monitor the daily ticket price changes. It estimates the public transport and driving times to the departure airport as well as providing your hotel address in local language and characters for the local taxi driver. It is compatible with the Apple watch and Siri.
One Warwick Park – new boutique hotel in Tunbridge Wells
Due to open at the beginning of July, this hotel has been developed from a brewery and school house. The two buildings have now been joined and the hotel combines some traditional features with contemporary style. There is a double-storey space with an atrium-style glass ceiling. An unusual feature of the hotel is a tunnel which is a softly-lit subterranean gallery space. It will act as a transition between the two buildings, from the reception area to the hotel’s centre.
The largest meeting space is expected to have capacity for 120 people in theatre style. It has an adjoining bar area which can be used for breaks or evening receptions. There are also meeting rooms for smaller groups, starting with a boardroom for six people. The meeting space has free Wifi, state-of-the-art AV equipment including Air Media, projector and TV screens.
One Warwick Park is in the Pantiles area of the town centre, a short walk from the railway station. There are 39 bedrooms.
Here’s the latest information from Oatlands Park Hotel, Weybridge:
Oatlands is currently going through a £10 million refurbishment plan – all 144 bedrooms and hallways, refurbished Mulberry restaurant with new Bar. The Lawn Terrace will be enclosed with retractable roof and bi-folding doors with access to grounds, Lobby, new Gym, Swimming Pool & Spa Rooms.
They have refurbished meeting rooms. The exclusive York Suite will accommodate 400 in theatre-style and have access for cars launches. It has a separate entrance, reception area, bar and kitchen.
The venue has 12 meeting rooms with facilities for 6-400 people. An ideal location for corporate meetings, team building events, marketing opportunities or private dining functions.
Day Delegate Packages available from £45.00 pp & 24 hour rate from £165.00.
There are incentives if you book a meeting between now and the end of December 2016
1.Stanhill Court Hotel is the closest conference hotel, not within the perimeter, to Gatwick Airport. The hotel is 45 minutes from central London and only 9 miles from the M25.
2.The venue offers more space in their meeting rooms compared to all other local hotels, in a recent survey comparing a room for 20 delegates.
3.They are the only hotel locally to offer FREE superfast, no password Wi-Fi and FREE car parking as standard for all delegates.
4.All food is made freshly on site, as the hotel is independent they can provide a bespoke menu to suit a clients’ needs and budget.
5.Stanhill is set on 35 acres of space, perfect for any team building or outdoor activities, making them the affordable county house hotel with so many options.
The first hotel from this group to open in the UK, INNSIDE Manchester offers 5 different meeting spaces holding up to 200 delegates theatre style. There is natural daylight and built in AV equipment as well as complimentary WIFI.
For delegates requiring an overnight stay, the hotel has 208 stylish, modern rooms including 8 suites. There is also a wellness centre which is open 24 hours with a Technogym, a Finnish sauna and a steam room. The hotel is located close to Manchester Central and Deansgate and is also close to the city’s shopping destinations.
