Ardencote Manor are an independently, privately owned hotel sat in the Warwickshire/Staffordshire country side yet only 10 minutes from J15 of the M40. They have grown from what was an 18 bedroom manor house 17 years ago to a 110 bedroom hotel with a dedicated conference centre and spa.
80% of the hotels profits get reinvested in the hotel and in January 2014 they installed fibre optic broadband meaning the hotel can now offer city centre speed in a rural setting, the capacity of the broadband will allow each delegate to connect up to three devices.
In January 2014 the conference centre was enhanced with two unlimited refreshment stations, these stations offer tea, coffee, cold drinks and snacks available throughout the day to all delegates.
In March 2014 the hotel installed the latest AV equipment in all of their meeting rooms meaning that the screens can now be connected to via wireless technology.
Three years ago the hotel built a pavilion on the lake which can be used for BBQ’s, drinks receptions and team building. The hotel are looking in to the possibility of using their lake for activities so watch this space…
If you find yourself in Nottingham and are in need of a spot of rest and relaxation, the Crowne Plaza may well be the place to go. Urban Escape, its onsite spa, has recently undergone a £1m renovation. You can now enjoy the luxury of a heated swimming pool, spa, steam room, ice station, relaxation area, gymnasium, as well as a great selection of treatments provided by The Urban Rooms beauty salon.
The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre (QEIICC) in London is set to close from late July until early September as it embarks on an extensive refurbishment project. With planned works to include total renovation of the main entrance foyer, reception and registration areas, as well as a replacement of all carpeted floors, conference chairs and tables, and improvements in connectivity, the refurbishment should result in a ‘more modern and stylish environment’ that focuses on ‘enhancing the [overall] customer experience’.
QEIICC is an award-winning events venue situated in the heart of Westminster, and is surrounded by various London landmarks and attractions, including Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and the London Eye.
Refurbishment plans at QEIICC
The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre (QEIICC) in London is set to close from late July until early September as it embarks on an extensive refurbishment project. With planned works to include total renovation of the main entrance foyer, reception and registration areas, as well as a replacement of all carpeted floors, conference chairs and tables, and improvements in connectivity, the refurbishment should result in a ‘more modern and stylish environment’ that focuses on ‘enhancing the [overall] customer experience’.
QEIICC is an award-winning events venue situated in the heart of Westminster, and is surrounded by various London landmarks and attractions, including Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and the London Eye.
Monument offers 14,000 sqft of space spread over two floors in a contemporary design, providing the consumer with high quality meeting, training and conference space.
The venue officially opens in September, but etc.venues are offering the chance of a sneak peek in the form of showrounds from 1st August onwards.
Etc.venues has announced the addition of another venue to its portfolio – etc.venue Monument. Set in a prime location in the heart of The City, next to the unmistakeable ‘Walkie Talkie’ building, it is located just minutes away from Bank, Monument, and Fenchurch Street stations.
Monument offers 14,000 sqft of space spread over two floors in a contemporary design, providing the consumer with high quality meeting, training and conference space.
The venue officially opens in September, but etc.venues are offering the chance of a sneak peek in the form of showrounds from 1st August onwards.
New etc.venue to open in Monument
Etc.venues has announced the addition of another venue to its portfolio – etc.venue Monument. Set in a prime location in the heart of The City, next to the unmistakeable ‘Walkie Talkie’ building, it is located just minutes away from Bank, Monument, and Fenchurch Street stations.
Monument offers 14,000 sqft of space spread over two floors in a contemporary design, providing the consumer with high quality meeting, training and conference space.
The venue officially opens in September, but etc.venues are offering the chance of a sneak peek in the form of showrounds from 1st August onwards.
Intercontinenal Westminster launches new restaurant concept
The five star Intercontinental Westminster Hotel has just launched a brand new concept for their restaurant. They no longer have the smokehouse menu but have moved to an English style cuisine. The décor will remain the same, but as of 1 July 2014 they have had a new chef, new menu and new concept. They have also launched a new summer Afternoon Tea menu which has a fruity feel to it, is lighter, and includes items such as smoothies and macaroons, as well as free pouring Laurent-Perrier Brut Champagne!
The Radisson Blu East Midlands Airport has been acknowledged for being the greenest hotel in the UK and Europe. They were the Green Footprint Challenge winner in 2012 which they won based on their eco-friendly initiatives including harvesting their rain water and keeping their carbon rating as low as 2, which is amazing considering most hotels have a rating of between 45-50! Their heating and power now also runs on biofuel!
In other news from Rezidor … The Park Inn Cardiff completed a £6m investment in their meeting space in January 2011 and the Radisson Blu Stansted Airport just finished a £7000 soft refurbishment on their Wine Tower. In support of the Stansted based hotels already excellent transport links a new train line running between Stansted and Cambridge will open on 21 July 2014! The Radisson Blu Manchester Airport refurbished 120 business class rooms in 2013 along with the business class lounge which has excellent views over the run way. They are now in phase 2 of the refurbishment of the standard bedrooms with 120 already finished and the remaining 120 to be completed by October 2014.
The Radisson Blu East Midlands Airport has been acknowledged for being the greenest hotel in the UK and Europe. They were the Green Footprint Challenge winner in 2012 which they won based on their eco-friendly initiatives including harvesting their rain water and keeping their carbon rating as low as 2, which is amazing considering most hotels have a rating of between 45-50! Their heating and power now also runs on biofuel!
In other news from Rezidor … The Park Inn Cardiff completed a £6m investment in their meeting space in January 2011 and the Radisson Blu Stansted Airport just finished a £7000 soft refurbishment on their Wine Tower. In support of the Stansted based hotels already excellent transport links a new train line running between Stansted and Cambridge will open on 21 July 2014! The Radisson Blu Manchester Airport refurbished 120 business class rooms in 2013 along with the business class lounge which has excellent views over the run way. They are now in phase 2 of the refurbishment of the standard bedrooms with 120 already finished and the remaining 120 to be completed by October 2014.
The Radisson Blu East Midlands Airport has been acknowledged for being the greenest hotel in the UK and Europe. They were the Green Footprint Challenge winner in 2012 which they won based on their eco-friendly initiatives including harvesting their rain water and keeping their carbon rating as low as 2, which is amazing considering most hotels have a rating of between 45-50! Their heating and power now also runs on biofuel!
The first of the Radisson Red hotels will open during the middle of 2015 with 60 due to be in operation by 2020. Radisson Red will focus on the Millennia Traveller offering apartment style living in funky urban spaces.
In other news from Rezidor … The Park Inn Cardiff completed a £6m investment in their meeting space in January 2011 and the Radisson Blu Stansted Airport just finished a £7000 soft refurbishment on their Wine Tower. In support of the Stansted based hotels already excellent transport links a new train line running between Stansted and Cambridge will open on 21 July 2014! The Radisson Blu Manchester Airport refurbished 120 business class rooms in 2013 along with the business class lounge which has excellent views over the run way. They are now in phase 2 of the refurbishment of the standard bedrooms with 120 already finished and the remaining 120 to be completed by October 2014.
The Radisson Blu East Midlands Airport has been acknowledged for being the greenest hotel in the UK and Europe. They were the Green Footprint Challenge winner in 2012 which they won based on their eco-friendly initiatives including harvesting their rain water and keeping their carbon rating as low as 2, which is amazing considering most hotels have a rating of between 45-50! Their heating and power now also runs on biofuel!
The first of the Radisson Red hotels will open during the middle of 2015 with 60 due to be in operation by 2020. Radisson Red will focus on the Millennia Traveller offering apartment style living in funky urban spaces.
In other news from Rezidor … The Park Inn Cardiff completed a £6m investment in their meeting space in January 2011 and the Radisson Blu Stansted Airport just finished a £7000 soft refurbishment on their Wine Tower. In support of the Stansted based hotels already excellent transport links a new train line running between Stansted and Cambridge will open on 21 July 2014! The Radisson Blu Manchester Airport refurbished 120 business class rooms in 2013 along with the business class lounge which has excellent views over the run way. They are now in phase 2 of the refurbishment of the standard bedrooms with 120 already finished and the remaining 120 to be completed by October 2014.
The Radisson Blu East Midlands Airport has been acknowledged for being the greenest hotel in the UK and Europe. They were the Green Footprint Challenge winner in 2012 which they won based on their eco-friendly initiatives including harvesting their rain water and keeping their carbon rating as low as 2, which is amazing considering most hotels have a rating of between 45-50! Their heating and power now also runs on biofuel!
Missoni is no longer part of the Rezidor portfolio following a decision from the Missoni family to focus on their fashion rather than the leisure industry. Missoni will be replaced by the brand name Quorvus with three hotels currently under this name; The G & V in Edinburgh (who will be refurbishing their bedrooms next year), Symphony Style in Kuwait and The May Fair in London. By 2020 they plan to have 20 hotels in this collection, each with its own history and story.
The first of the Radisson Red hotels will open during the middle of 2015 with 60 due to be in operation by 2020. Radisson Red will focus on the Millennia Traveller offering apartment style living in funky urban spaces.
In other news from Rezidor … The Park Inn Cardiff completed a £6m investment in their meeting space in January 2011 and the Radisson Blu Stansted Airport just finished a £7000 soft refurbishment on their Wine Tower. In support of the Stansted based hotels already excellent transport links a new train line running between Stansted and Cambridge will open on 21 July 2014! The Radisson Blu Manchester Airport refurbished 120 business class rooms in 2013 along with the business class lounge which has excellent views over the run way. They are now in phase 2 of the refurbishment of the standard bedrooms with 120 already finished and the remaining 120 to be completed by October 2014.
The Radisson Blu East Midlands Airport has been acknowledged for being the greenest hotel in the UK and Europe. They were the Green Footprint Challenge winner in 2012 which they won based on their eco-friendly initiatives including harvesting their rain water and keeping their carbon rating as low as 2, which is amazing considering most hotels have a rating of between 45-50! Their heating and power now also runs on biofuel!
Rezidor launches new brands – Quorvus and Radisson Red!
Missoni is no longer part of the Rezidor portfolio following a decision from the Missoni family to focus on their fashion rather than the leisure industry. Missoni will be replaced by the brand name Quorvus with three hotels currently under this name; The G & V in Edinburgh (who will be refurbishing their bedrooms next year), Symphony Style in Kuwait and The May Fair in London. By 2020 they plan to have 20 hotels in this collection, each with its own history and story.
The first of the Radisson Red hotels will open during the middle of 2015 with 60 due to be in operation by 2020. Radisson Red will focus on the Millennia Traveller offering apartment style living in funky urban spaces.
In other news from Rezidor … The Park Inn Cardiff completed a £6m investment in their meeting space in January 2011 and the Radisson Blu Stansted Airport just finished a £7000 soft refurbishment on their Wine Tower. In support of the Stansted based hotels already excellent transport links a new train line running between Stansted and Cambridge will open on 21 July 2014! The Radisson Blu Manchester Airport refurbished 120 business class rooms in 2013 along with the business class lounge which has excellent views over the run way. They are now in phase 2 of the refurbishment of the standard bedrooms with 120 already finished and the remaining 120 to be completed by October 2014.
The Radisson Blu East Midlands Airport has been acknowledged for being the greenest hotel in the UK and Europe. They were the Green Footprint Challenge winner in 2012 which they won based on their eco-friendly initiatives including harvesting their rain water and keeping their carbon rating as low as 2, which is amazing considering most hotels have a rating of between 45-50! Their heating and power now also runs on biofuel!
Team building options at the venue range from fishing tuition on the river, duck racing along the river, treasure hunts, tennis or croquet!
A new addition to the hotel is their cottage offering luxurious accommodation and even a fire pit in its own private garden. They also plan to add a pool and ‘his and hers’ treatment rooms in early 2015.
The hotel is set to become the first hotel in the country to install an Archimedes Screw which is a device placed in the river to generate electricity. The power generated from the screw will enable the whole Minster side of the property to be run from this power source which will be completed by September 2014.
Team building options at the venue range from fishing tuition on the river, duck racing along the river, treasure hunts, tennis or croquet!
A new addition to the hotel is their cottage offering luxurious accommodation and even a fire pit in its own private garden. They also plan to add a pool and ‘his and hers’ treatment rooms in early 2015.
This independent 5 star coaching inn is located just outside Oxford, it is family owned with two sister properties – The Cary Arms in Babbacombe, Devon and Mount Cinnamon which is a boutique property in The West Indies. All the food served at the hotel is sourced from within Oxfordshire apart from the fish which is brought in fresh from Devon, to complement this they also have their own chickens and veg patch on site.
The hotel is set to become the first hotel in the country to install an Archimedes Screw which is a device placed in the river to generate electricity. The power generated from the screw will enable the whole Minster side of the property to be run from this power source which will be completed by September 2014.
Team building options at the venue range from fishing tuition on the river, duck racing along the river, treasure hunts, tennis or croquet!
A new addition to the hotel is their cottage offering luxurious accommodation and even a fire pit in its own private garden. They also plan to add a pool and ‘his and hers’ treatment rooms in early 2015.
This independent 5 star coaching inn is located just outside Oxford, it is family owned with two sister properties – The Cary Arms in Babbacombe, Devon and Mount Cinnamon which is a boutique property in The West Indies. All the food served at the hotel is sourced from within Oxfordshire apart from the fish which is brought in fresh from Devon, to complement this they also have their own chickens and veg patch on site.
The hotel is set to become the first hotel in the country to install an Archimedes Screw which is a device placed in the river to generate electricity. The power generated from the screw will enable the whole Minster side of the property to be run from this power source which will be completed by September 2014.
Team building options at the venue range from fishing tuition on the river, duck racing along the river, treasure hunts, tennis or croquet!
A new addition to the hotel is their cottage offering luxurious accommodation and even a fire pit in its own private garden. They also plan to add a pool and ‘his and hers’ treatment rooms in early 2015.
A brand new Intercontinenal Hotel is due to open next door to the O2, construction has started and is due to be complete by Q3 of 2015. The hotel will have Europe’s largest ballroom holding up to 2500 in a pillar free space. This will be supported by 453 bedrooms.
Other news from The Arora Group … The Arora Park Hotel will soon become an IHG property and Macdonald Savill Court has just been taken over by the brand.
Arora also look after The Sofitel T5 which has 605 bedrooms and 45 meeting rooms with much of the furnishings designed by hugo boss! They can hold up to 1200 theatre style and 117 in tiered seating with the theatre.
Finally … one to watch out for is the sixth floor boardroom at Arora Heathrow which has 180 degree views of the runway and a terrace with its own mini golf course!
Park Inn Hotels have undergone a major investment programme spending £50m on the UK properties in the last 12 months, plus a further £13m on the Park Inn Heathrow property alone. The investment aims to change people’s perception of the brand by offering a ‘Smart Meetings’ concept. The Smart Meetings concept offers brand standards and consistency and was rolled out across 23 UK properties and over 230 global properties in Feb 2014. All Park Inn hotels now offer free basic WiFi, creative lunches and unlimited tea/coffee.
A little more about Park Inn Hotels…
Park Inn by Radisson Birmingham West is located at J1 of the M5, they have 17 meeting rooms and 168 bedrooms and can offer free parking.
Park Inn Heathrow is the largest of the portfolio with 895 beds and capacity for 700 theatre style. Their ‘Conference Red’ area is being totally refurbished during August 2014 and will be unavailable for event bookers. They will benefit from new carpets, chairs, tables, walls and equipment! They have already upgraded all of their Business Friendly bedrooms and 200 of their standard rooms leaving just 350 standards to be completed by the end of 2014.
Park Inn Northampton has just completed a massive refurbishment of their bedrooms (apart one floor), public areas, meeting rooms, bar, restaurant and lobby. They can hold up to 600 theatre style.
Park Inn Telford is located within 3 hours drive of 70% of the population and just 10 minutes walk from Telford International Centre. They invested £4m in to the property in 2013.
The Hilton Waldorf Hotel in London have just employed a new head chef that will be starting next week, they will also soon be launching Cup Cake making classes for team building activities!
The Hilton London Ealing and Hilton London Hyde Park have spent £10m on each property converting them in to Doubletree branded venues. Both are fresh, modern and are offering very competitive rates!
The Hilton London Park Lane have just launched their Meetings Simplified Package and news hot off the press is that they will soon have a casino onsite!!
