A new 4-star boutique hotel brand, Flat Cap Hotels, has been launched by two brothers in the north west of England. The new group has launched its first venture in Cheshire with the opening of the 20-bed Vicarage Freehouse & Rooms at Holmes Chapel in the former Old Vicarage Hotel. A further 12 suites will be added this summer and the owners Oliver and Dominic Heywood expect to expand the brand with more properties later this year in Shropshire, Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire. They aim to have five properties by 2018. The group pride themselves on the quirky decor of their properties and the locally sourced food. The brands motto is “local food, local drink, local country living”.
The Vicarage Freehouse and Rooms has space for meetings and events. The largest space is the library which can hold up to 100 guests for dinner.
New boutique hotel brand Flat Cap Hotels
A new 4-star boutique hotel brand, Flat Cap Hotels, has been launched by two brothers in the north west of England. The new group has launched its first venture in Cheshire with the opening of the 20-bed Vicarage Freehouse & Rooms at Holmes Chapel in the former Old Vicarage Hotel. A further 12 suites will be added this summer and the owners Oliver and Dominic Heywood expect to expand the brand with more properties later this year in Shropshire, Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire. They aim to have five properties by 2018. The group pride themselves on the quirky decor of their properties and the locally sourced food. The brands motto is “local food, local drink, local country living”.
The Vicarage Freehouse and Rooms has space for meetings and events. The largest space is the library which can hold up to 100 guests for dinner.
The Hilton Paddington was one of the very first of the classic Victorian railway hotels, and is directly linked to Paddington Station. The hotel feels classic and well preserved when you walk in the main entrance (facing away from the station), with some of the meeting space straight off to the right of the lobby on the ground floor. The second (and larger) section of the meeting space is upstairs on the first floor, reached from a sweeping staircase behind the lobby. This section of the space has a larger communal area just for delegates, so works well for catering and receptions. The Great Western rooms are on the first floor and enjoy natural daylight and high ceilings, make the space feel airy and light.
As a historic hotel the bedrooms (all of a 4-star Hilton standard) are a variety of configurations and sizes (although none of them are below a certain size), which for me adds a little personality to the hotel. The hotel recently bought the adjacent former offices of the GWR rail company, and have refurbished this section into an art-deco themed area with upgraded bedrooms of a 1920’s style.
One thing to consider is that this hotels is one of the best connected hotels in London for transport, given its immediate proximity to Paddington Station, with links across the Underground, National Rail, and the London terminus of the Heathrow Express. Despite its bustling location the hotel feels calm and attentive for delegates and guests.
Liverpools first five-star hotel will still go ahead despite the delays. Plans to convert the historic city centre Martins Bank on Water Street into a 227 bedroom hotel were given approval last June by Liverpool council. The £40m hotel will include two restaurants, three bars, a spa, and conference and banqueting rooms. The development will see the building’s stunning banking hall, which features marble floors and 20 giant columns, converted into the hotel’s reception, bars and restaurants. Much of the bank’s original features will be retained, with the main dining area enclosed within the horseshoe-shaped tellers’ counter and the original writing desks kept. The Martins Bank site contains four floors of office space which will remain, with the hotel sandwiched between.
Liverpool's first five star hotel to go ahead
Liverpools first five-star hotel will still go ahead despite the delays. Plans to convert the historic city centre Martins Bank on Water Street into a 227 bedroom hotel were given approval last June by Liverpool council. The £40m hotel will include two restaurants, three bars, a spa, and conference and banqueting rooms. The development will see the building’s stunning banking hall, which features marble floors and 20 giant columns, converted into the hotel’s reception, bars and restaurants. Much of the bank’s original features will be retained, with the main dining area enclosed within the horseshoe-shaped tellers’ counter and the original writing desks kept. The Martins Bank site contains four floors of office space which will remain, with the hotel sandwiched between.
Proposals have been unveiled for a £30 million redevelopment and extension of Studley Castle in Warwickshire. The 3-star, 57 bed hotel is owned by Firoka Group and they are looking into plans to convert the castle, which dates back to 1833, into a Warner Leisure Hotel. If the plans go ahead they will include the restoration of the existing castle and stable and its grounds, alongside the development of new bedrooms, entertainment lounges, and leisure facilities in keeping with its current surroundings. The proposals for the project have been developed with assistance from planning and conservation officers along with Historic England. If successful, building work could commence in early 2016 with the completed hotel set to open in 2017. It is hoped that the development will result in about 180 local jobs in a variety of roles, and will contribute about £5million to the local economy.
Just one thing to look out for – our sat nav took us to a residential estate with limited access to the park. Make sure you follow the brown signs directing you to the park, rather than your sat nav.
Within the hotel complex, the hotel has 3 boardrooms to accommodate 12 in each and three further main conference suites: the Hamilton Suite accommodates 200 theatre style, 120 cabaret style and can be combined with the Victoria Lounge for refreshments & catering or as additional meeting space for 40 theatre style. The Park Suite takes 200 theatre style, 120 cabaret style or 150 for dinner. It can be split into two separate meeting rooms to create Park View East and West. The Tower Suite, which accommodates 500 theatre style, comes equipped with a PA system, stage and large private outdoor space. The hotel has 150 guest rooms, a few of which are Thomas and Friends themed, for fun-loving delegates. In addition ‘glamping’ options are available at the park.
Just one thing to look out for – our sat nav took us to a residential estate with limited access to the park. Make sure you follow the brown signs directing you to the park, rather than your sat nav.
Within the hotel complex, the hotel has 3 boardrooms to accommodate 12 in each and three further main conference suites: the Hamilton Suite accommodates 200 theatre style, 120 cabaret style and can be combined with the Victoria Lounge for refreshments & catering or as additional meeting space for 40 theatre style. The Park Suite takes 200 theatre style, 120 cabaret style or 150 for dinner. It can be split into two separate meeting rooms to create Park View East and West. The Tower Suite, which accommodates 500 theatre style, comes equipped with a PA system, stage and large private outdoor space. The hotel has 150 guest rooms, a few of which are Thomas and Friends themed, for fun-loving delegates. In addition ‘glamping’ options are available at the park.
Just one thing to look out for – our sat nav took us to a residential estate with limited access to the park. Make sure you follow the brown signs directing you to the park, rather than your sat nav.
Set in 280 acres of parkland, Drayton Manor Hotel offers 4-star versatile, modern conferencing facilities with the added excitement of the rides and theme park. The venue has a whole can cater for small meetings through to corporate fun days of 2,000 people and offers some great outdoor spaces for private functions and team building events – equivalent to six football pitches.
Within the hotel complex, the hotel has 3 boardrooms to accommodate 12 in each and three further main conference suites: the Hamilton Suite accommodates 200 theatre style, 120 cabaret style and can be combined with the Victoria Lounge for refreshments & catering or as additional meeting space for 40 theatre style. The Park Suite takes 200 theatre style, 120 cabaret style or 150 for dinner. It can be split into two separate meeting rooms to create Park View East and West. The Tower Suite, which accommodates 500 theatre style, comes equipped with a PA system, stage and large private outdoor space. The hotel has 150 guest rooms, a few of which are Thomas and Friends themed, for fun-loving delegates. In addition ‘glamping’ options are available at the park.
Just one thing to look out for – our sat nav took us to a residential estate with limited access to the park. Make sure you follow the brown signs directing you to the park, rather than your sat nav.
Set in 280 acres of parkland, Drayton Manor Hotel offers 4-star versatile, modern conferencing facilities with the added excitement of the rides and theme park. The venue has a whole can cater for small meetings through to corporate fun days of 2,000 people and offers some great outdoor spaces for private functions and team building events – equivalent to six football pitches.
Within the hotel complex, the hotel has 3 boardrooms to accommodate 12 in each and three further main conference suites: the Hamilton Suite accommodates 200 theatre style, 120 cabaret style and can be combined with the Victoria Lounge for refreshments & catering or as additional meeting space for 40 theatre style. The Park Suite takes 200 theatre style, 120 cabaret style or 150 for dinner. It can be split into two separate meeting rooms to create Park View East and West. The Tower Suite, which accommodates 500 theatre style, comes equipped with a PA system, stage and large private outdoor space. The hotel has 150 guest rooms, a few of which are Thomas and Friends themed, for fun-loving delegates. In addition ‘glamping’ options are available at the park.
Just one thing to look out for – our sat nav took us to a residential estate with limited access to the park. Make sure you follow the brown signs directing you to the park, rather than your sat nav.
Set in 280 acres of parkland, Drayton Manor Hotel offers 4-star versatile, modern conferencing facilities with the added excitement of the rides and theme park. The venue has a whole can cater for small meetings through to corporate fun days of 2,000 people and offers some great outdoor spaces for private functions and team building events – equivalent to six football pitches.
Within the hotel complex, the hotel has 3 boardrooms to accommodate 12 in each and three further main conference suites: the Hamilton Suite accommodates 200 theatre style, 120 cabaret style and can be combined with the Victoria Lounge for refreshments & catering or as additional meeting space for 40 theatre style. The Park Suite takes 200 theatre style, 120 cabaret style or 150 for dinner. It can be split into two separate meeting rooms to create Park View East and West. The Tower Suite, which accommodates 500 theatre style, comes equipped with a PA system, stage and large private outdoor space. The hotel has 150 guest rooms, a few of which are Thomas and Friends themed, for fun-loving delegates. In addition ‘glamping’ options are available at the park.
Just one thing to look out for – our sat nav took us to a residential estate with limited access to the park. Make sure you follow the brown signs directing you to the park, rather than your sat nav.
Drayton Manor Park is located half an hour from Birmingham, just off the M42, and has excellent road links from the M6, M1 & M40. There is plenty of free car parking just outside the hotel and the train station, with links to London Euston and Birmingham, is just 10 minutes’ drive by car.
Set in 280 acres of parkland, Drayton Manor Hotel offers 4-star versatile, modern conferencing facilities with the added excitement of the rides and theme park. The venue has a whole can cater for small meetings through to corporate fun days of 2,000 people and offers some great outdoor spaces for private functions and team building events – equivalent to six football pitches.
Within the hotel complex, the hotel has 3 boardrooms to accommodate 12 in each and three further main conference suites: the Hamilton Suite accommodates 200 theatre style, 120 cabaret style and can be combined with the Victoria Lounge for refreshments & catering or as additional meeting space for 40 theatre style. The Park Suite takes 200 theatre style, 120 cabaret style or 150 for dinner. It can be split into two separate meeting rooms to create Park View East and West. The Tower Suite, which accommodates 500 theatre style, comes equipped with a PA system, stage and large private outdoor space. The hotel has 150 guest rooms, a few of which are Thomas and Friends themed, for fun-loving delegates. In addition ‘glamping’ options are available at the park.
Just one thing to look out for – our sat nav took us to a residential estate with limited access to the park. Make sure you follow the brown signs directing you to the park, rather than your sat nav.
Drayton Manor Park is located half an hour from Birmingham, just off the M42, and has excellent road links from the M6, M1 & M40. There is plenty of free car parking just outside the hotel and the train station, with links to London Euston and Birmingham, is just 10 minutes’ drive by car.
Set in 280 acres of parkland, Drayton Manor Hotel offers 4-star versatile, modern conferencing facilities with the added excitement of the rides and theme park. The venue has a whole can cater for small meetings through to corporate fun days of 2,000 people and offers some great outdoor spaces for private functions and team building events – equivalent to six football pitches.
Within the hotel complex, the hotel has 3 boardrooms to accommodate 12 in each and three further main conference suites: the Hamilton Suite accommodates 200 theatre style, 120 cabaret style and can be combined with the Victoria Lounge for refreshments & catering or as additional meeting space for 40 theatre style. The Park Suite takes 200 theatre style, 120 cabaret style or 150 for dinner. It can be split into two separate meeting rooms to create Park View East and West. The Tower Suite, which accommodates 500 theatre style, comes equipped with a PA system, stage and large private outdoor space. The hotel has 150 guest rooms, a few of which are Thomas and Friends themed, for fun-loving delegates. In addition ‘glamping’ options are available at the park.
Just one thing to look out for – our sat nav took us to a residential estate with limited access to the park. Make sure you follow the brown signs directing you to the park, rather than your sat nav.
Event Consultant Rebecca Myatt visited Drayton Manor recently to check out what it has to offer.
Drayton Manor Park is located half an hour from Birmingham, just off the M42, and has excellent road links from the M6, M1 & M40. There is plenty of free car parking just outside the hotel and the train station, with links to London Euston and Birmingham, is just 10 minutes’ drive by car.
Set in 280 acres of parkland, Drayton Manor Hotel offers 4-star versatile, modern conferencing facilities with the added excitement of the rides and theme park. The venue has a whole can cater for small meetings through to corporate fun days of 2,000 people and offers some great outdoor spaces for private functions and team building events – equivalent to six football pitches.
Within the hotel complex, the hotel has 3 boardrooms to accommodate 12 in each and three further main conference suites: the Hamilton Suite accommodates 200 theatre style, 120 cabaret style and can be combined with the Victoria Lounge for refreshments & catering or as additional meeting space for 40 theatre style. The Park Suite takes 200 theatre style, 120 cabaret style or 150 for dinner. It can be split into two separate meeting rooms to create Park View East and West. The Tower Suite, which accommodates 500 theatre style, comes equipped with a PA system, stage and large private outdoor space. The hotel has 150 guest rooms, a few of which are Thomas and Friends themed, for fun-loving delegates. In addition ‘glamping’ options are available at the park.
Just one thing to look out for – our sat nav took us to a residential estate with limited access to the park. Make sure you follow the brown signs directing you to the park, rather than your sat nav.
Visit to Drayton Manor Hotel
Event Consultant Rebecca Myatt visited Drayton Manor recently to check out what it has to offer.
Drayton Manor Park is located half an hour from Birmingham, just off the M42, and has excellent road links from the M6, M1 & M40. There is plenty of free car parking just outside the hotel and the train station, with links to London Euston and Birmingham, is just 10 minutes’ drive by car.
Set in 280 acres of parkland, Drayton Manor Hotel offers 4-star versatile, modern conferencing facilities with the added excitement of the rides and theme park. The venue has a whole can cater for small meetings through to corporate fun days of 2,000 people and offers some great outdoor spaces for private functions and team building events – equivalent to six football pitches.
Within the hotel complex, the hotel has 3 boardrooms to accommodate 12 in each and three further main conference suites: the Hamilton Suite accommodates 200 theatre style, 120 cabaret style and can be combined with the Victoria Lounge for refreshments & catering or as additional meeting space for 40 theatre style. The Park Suite takes 200 theatre style, 120 cabaret style or 150 for dinner. It can be split into two separate meeting rooms to create Park View East and West. The Tower Suite, which accommodates 500 theatre style, comes equipped with a PA system, stage and large private outdoor space. The hotel has 150 guest rooms, a few of which are Thomas and Friends themed, for fun-loving delegates. In addition ‘glamping’ options are available at the park.
Just one thing to look out for – our sat nav took us to a residential estate with limited access to the park. Make sure you follow the brown signs directing you to the park, rather than your sat nav.
A 204-bed Holiday Inn Express London – Excel has opened in the heart of London Docklands and is opposite London City Airport. The hotel is within easy reach of all of London’s main attractions and is just a short walk from the ExCeL Conference Centre. There are excellent transport links via the Docklands Light Railway that will have you in central London within 20 minutes. For meetings and events, the hotel also has its own conference and event area. There are three event style rooms, the Dockside One, the Dockside Suite and the Dockside Two room. The Dockside One can fit 25 delegates theatre style, the Dockside Suite 50 theatre style and the Dockside Two can facilitate 25 theatre style.
Holiday Inn Express London – Excel opens
A 204-bed Holiday Inn Express London – Excel has opened in the heart of London Docklands and is opposite London City Airport. The hotel is within easy reach of all of London’s main attractions and is just a short walk from the ExCeL Conference Centre. There are excellent transport links via the Docklands Light Railway that will have you in central London within 20 minutes. For meetings and events, the hotel also has its own conference and event area. There are three event style rooms, the Dockside One, the Dockside Suite and the Dockside Two room. The Dockside One can fit 25 delegates theatre style, the Dockside Suite 50 theatre style and the Dockside Two can facilitate 25 theatre style.
Plans have been submitted by Lexington Avenue Leisure Ltd to Hull City Council for a 159-bed Hilton Garden Inn on a former nightclub site on Ferensway. The proposed 6-storey hotel features conference facilities with capacity for 700 delegates, a restaurant, gymnasium, a small conference centre and parking for 107 vehicles. Subject to planning going ahead, the hotel could open in 2017 when Hull is the Uk’s city of culture and create 120 full and part time jobs.
The conference suites are The Brooklands Suite and The Grand Prix Suite. The Brooklands Suite is a self-contained exhibition hall providing room for up to 500 delegates. With ground floor access it provides an excellent venue for car or product launches, exhibitions and corporate hospitality events. The Brooklands Suite also includes an bar and fully equipped kitchen and provides dedicated entrances from the adjacent car park. The Grand Prix Suite caters for events for up to 300 guests. The suite features professional staging and projection facilities, and is located on the ground floor making it ideal for vehicle and equipment access.
Whittlebury Hall is an established award-winning conference, training centre and hotel situated in the very heart of the UK, in rural Northamptonshire.Ideal for meetings and events, Whittlebury Hall has a purpose-built and professional event and learning facilities which include 20 conference and training suites, 28 syndicate rooms, an executive boardroom, three private dining rooms, two conference and banqueting suites that can cater for up to 500 delegates as well as leisure and team building activities.
The conference suites are The Brooklands Suite and The Grand Prix Suite. The Brooklands Suite is a self-contained exhibition hall providing room for up to 500 delegates. With ground floor access it provides an excellent venue for car or product launches, exhibitions and corporate hospitality events. The Brooklands Suite also includes an bar and fully equipped kitchen and provides dedicated entrances from the adjacent car park. The Grand Prix Suite caters for events for up to 300 guests. The suite features professional staging and projection facilities, and is located on the ground floor making it ideal for vehicle and equipment access.
Whittlebury Hall is an established award-winning conference, training centre and hotel situated in the very heart of the UK, in rural Northamptonshire.Ideal for meetings and events, Whittlebury Hall has a purpose-built and professional event and learning facilities which include 20 conference and training suites, 28 syndicate rooms, an executive boardroom, three private dining rooms, two conference and banqueting suites that can cater for up to 500 delegates as well as leisure and team building activities.
The conference suites are The Brooklands Suite and The Grand Prix Suite. The Brooklands Suite is a self-contained exhibition hall providing room for up to 500 delegates. With ground floor access it provides an excellent venue for car or product launches, exhibitions and corporate hospitality events. The Brooklands Suite also includes an bar and fully equipped kitchen and provides dedicated entrances from the adjacent car park. The Grand Prix Suite caters for events for up to 300 guests. The suite features professional staging and projection facilities, and is located on the ground floor making it ideal for vehicle and equipment access.
Whittlebury Hall
Whittlebury Hall is an established award-winning conference, training centre and hotel situated in the very heart of the UK, in rural Northamptonshire.Ideal for meetings and events, Whittlebury Hall has a purpose-built and professional event and learning facilities which include 20 conference and training suites, 28 syndicate rooms, an executive boardroom, three private dining rooms, two conference and banqueting suites that can cater for up to 500 delegates as well as leisure and team building activities.
The conference suites are The Brooklands Suite and The Grand Prix Suite. The Brooklands Suite is a self-contained exhibition hall providing room for up to 500 delegates. With ground floor access it provides an excellent venue for car or product launches, exhibitions and corporate hospitality events. The Brooklands Suite also includes an bar and fully equipped kitchen and provides dedicated entrances from the adjacent car park. The Grand Prix Suite caters for events for up to 300 guests. The suite features professional staging and projection facilities, and is located on the ground floor making it ideal for vehicle and equipment access.
The Carlton Hotel Collection gets go ahead for Edinburgh Hotel
The Carlton Hotel Collection, which operates ten 4-star hotels in Belgium, Netherlands and the UK, is to operate a proposed new 98-bed hotel on Market Street in Edinburgh’s Old Town. Part of the proposed building site, opposite the side entrance to Waverley Station, has been vacant since the 1960s, with the adjacent 1930’s warehouse building most often used as a temporary garage. The four-star hotel development will see the empty warehouse demolished and is expected to cost around £15m. The project is due to start development this December and is scheduled to be completed by September 2017. This will be the first venture in Edinburgh for the Carlton hotel group.
The change of hands of the Ricoh Arena, Coventry, to the Wasps Rugby Club has caused a number of exciting changes to happen at the site. The 121 bedroom hotel on the site is currently undergoing a refurbishment, soon becoming a Doubletree by Hilton, launching in the autumn this year. Estimated for completion in September 2015, the onsite train stop currently being finished will have direct links to Coventry and Nuneaton railway stations, giving the site brilliant transport links. For those planning to arrive by road, there are over 2000 parking spaces onsite. The hotel is on a brilliant site, as the updates to the arena means that there will be five great bars, three restaurants on-site and over 20 other food and beverage outlets to customers visiting the Arena.
There is a short lead desk to focus on any bookings coming in within a two month lead time, to ensure that we can turn the enquiries around as soon as possible – getting you the best rates.
