fairmont Archives - EDGE Venues

2nd December 20192nd December 2019

Accor and Arora brings Fairmont brand to Windsor

Accor and Arora Group has announced the signing of The Fairmont Windsor Park. The hotel is currently undergoing a multi-million-pound redevelopment and will open in 2020.

The Fairmont Windsor Park hotel will be the third Fairmont property in the UK alongside The Savoy in London and Fairmont St Andrews in Scotland.

The hotel is located adjacent to Windsor Great Park and Savill Gardens. It is also located on the former site of Savill Court Hotel and Spa, which was owned by Arora Group and is now being redeveloped. The hotel will feature a 2,500sqm spa and wellness area, which will include an indoor lap pool and outdoor vitality pool, treatment rooms, salt room, Hammam and Japanese foot spa.

As part of its food and beverage offering, the hotel will have a tea lounge, specialist dining restaurant and a champagne bar. There will also be an all-day dining venue. Fairmont Windsor Park will offer 16 meeting rooms, an 800sqm ballroom which can cater for 700 guests, two private terraces and a garden for outdoor functions.

Marc Dardenne, chief operating officer, Luxury Brands, Accor Europe, believes The Fairmont is an “ideal match for this hotel asset” and “looks forward to showcasing all the brand has to offer in historic Windsor.”

Surinder Arora, founder and chairman, Arora Group, added: “We are incredibly proud to bring the Fairmont brand to Arora’s growing portfolio of hotels. Over the last decade our estate has grown significantly, with this new hotel joining our other flagship properties.”

Thomas Dubaere, COO, Accor Northern Europe, said that the signing of The Fairmont Windsor Park Hotel reflects Accor’s “expertise in the luxury segment”. Dubaere adds: “The signing also underlines our ambitious regional expansion plans demonstrating the UK’s continued role as a key global market.”

20th June 201920th June 2019

Keeping fit while you’re travelling

We all know how difficult it is to keep fit and healthy when we are travelling and in the events’ industry we are always on the move. The small hotel gym isn’t very appealing and it’s easy to eat and drink more than you would at home. However, there are some exercises that are simple, effective and don’t require much equipment. Some hotel groups are now helping with improved facilities and fitness equipment in the bedroom. At the moment, this seems to be more in North America than Europe, but like most trends it should spread here in time. Here are a few of the hotel groups that make it easier for you to keep fit while you’re away from home.

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts offers guests Adidas training gear through their Fairmont Fit progamme. Loyalty club members can have workout clothing, trainers and fitness equipment delivered to their guestrooms for use in the room, gym or outdoors, free of charge.

Yoga gear is easy to pack but the mats and other equipment is not. Kimpton Hotels have yoga mats in bedrooms and they provide extra towels, water, fruit, and on-demand fitness TV programming. Omni Hotels offer a complimentary Get Fit Kit that contains a yoga mat plus weights, a muscle therapy foam roller and push-up bars. Even Hotels, IHG’s wellness brand has four hotels and the group is growing. The bedrooms have a yoga mat and block, foam roller, core exercise ball, mounted fitness wall with resistance bands and an in-room training guide

Scandic Hotels, particularly in Scandinavia, often have bicycles to borrow free of charge and it’s a great way of getting to see the area too. Village Hotels, in the UK, usually have good leisure facilities with group exercise classes, gyms and swimming pools.

Hilton has launched a Five Feet to Fitness concept, where guest bedrooms have guided workout routines on a fitness kiosk, an indoor spin bike, suspension accessories, resistance bands, exercise balls, yoga mats and sports performance flooring. The plan is to introduce this programme to more than 560 of Hilton’s Doubletree hotels by 2020.

Many hotels now offer stationary bikes in-room and Westin has designed WestinWORKOUT rooms in over 50 hotels across the USA, where guests can work out on Peloton bikes.

Mirror, is a digital personal trainer that works though a screen on the wall and instructs on different fitness routines, from yoga and Pilates to boxing and cardio. This technology has been introduced at Mandarin Oriental Hotels’ suites in properties in America.

With a bit of motivation, we can all go back to basics and some squats, sit-ups, press-ups, planks and jacks can all be done in the comfort of a hotel room. A fitness band doesn’t take up any space of weight in your suitcase or there’s always the option of going for a run, walk, or swim. That’s if we have the time!

14th January 2019

Accor Hotels tell us about their brands

AccorHotels has 35 brands that range from luxury to economy, offering a ‘full suite’ of choice when it comes to hospitality and conference and events venues offering a wide selection of properties to accommodate customers of all budgets.

Within the portfolio there are brands that will meet the needs of big budget events, such as Raffles and Sofitel, to the more modest budget, with ibis allowing for a vibrant and carefree environment to host functions.

Raffles

True luxury is not just about what you do, it’s about how you feel
Guests staying at any of the 12 Raffles properties worldwide will experience illustrious history and some of the most prestigious hotel addresses worldwide. In 1887, Raffles Singapore set the standard for luxury hospitality, introducing the world to private butlers, the Singapore Sling and its enduring, legendary service. Today, Raffles continues this tradition in leading cities and lavish resort locales, enchanting guests with meaningful experiences and service that is both gracious and intuitive. Each Raffles property, be it Paris, Istanbul, Warsaw, Jakarta or the Seychelles, serves as a venerated oasis where delegates arrive as guests, leave as friends and return as family.

Sofitel – Life is Magnifique

Sofitel is an ambassador of modern French style, culture and art-de-vivre around the world. Established in 1964, Sofitel is the first international luxury hotel brand to originate from France with over 120 remarkable hotels in the world’s most sought after destinations. Sofitel exudes a refined and understated sense of modern luxury, always blending a touch of French decadence with the very best of the locale. The Sofitel collection includes notable hotels as Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg, Sofitel London St James, Sofitel Munich Bayerpost, Sofitel Rio de Janeiro Ipanema, Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square, Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour and Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort.

Fairmont

Turning moments into memories for our guests
Fairmont’s landmark hotels with unrivalled presence, authentic experiences and unforgettable moments have attracted visitors to its destinations since 1907. The Plaza in New York City, The Savoy in London, Fairmont San Francisco, Fairmont Banff Springs and Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai are but a few of these iconic luxury hotels, forever linked to the special places where they reside. Famous for its engaging service, grand public spaces, locally inspired cuisine and celebrated bars and lounges, Fairmont promises a special brand of thoughtful luxury that will be remembered long after any visit. With a worldwide portfolio of more than 75 hotels, Fairmont also takes great pride in its deep community roots and leadership in sustainability.

Pullman – Our World is Your Playground

Pullman delivers an experience that is upscale, upbeat and perfectly in tempo with today’s global trends. Against the backdrop of everyday fast paced life, Pullman aims to offer the very best hospitality experience to guests, whether they are leisure or corporate travelers, enabling them to seamlessly explore the locale. Pullman is where the new nomads find inspiration and make connections. Retaining the values of exploration, comfort and dependability that drove it to become a pioneering travel brand over 150 years ago, Pullman today features more than 120 worldwide properties including Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel, Pullman Park Lane Hong Kong, Pullman Shanghai South, Pullman London St Pancras and Pullman Sao Paulo Vila Olimpia.

Novotel – Modern easy living, full service

Providing a multi-service offer for both business and leisure guests Novotel boasts of spacious, modular rooms, 24/7 catering offers with balanced meals, meeting rooms, attentive and proactive staff, kid areas, a multi-purpose lobby and fitness centers. With over 500 hotels and resorts in 59 countries, Novotel properties are ideally located in the heart of major international cities, business districts and tourist destinations.

Mercure – In harmony with people and places

Mercure is the only midscale hotel brand that combines the strength of an international network with a strong quality commitment and the warm experience of hotels inspired by their local community. Mercure hotels are managed by enthusiastic hoteliers and welcome business and leisure travellers across the world. Present in 63 countries, Mercure has over 790 properties located in city centers such as Mercure London Bridge. Ideal for corporate travellers in London, this property is also the perfect venue for meetings and events offering four flexible meeting rooms for up to 60 people with AV equipment and a dedicated host.

ibis – Well-being at the best price

ibis innovates constantly to offer its guests modernity, comfort and availability. It created the revolutionary bedding concept Sweet BedTM by ibis; welcoming, designer common areas and the modern food and beverage offer, ibis kitchen. It also cultivates the spirit of service that drives each of its employees. Ibis is recognised across the world for its quality, reliability and commitment to the environment. Created in 1974, ibis is now the European leader in economy hotels and the fourth hotel chain in its category worldwide with over 1,150 hotels and 147,000 rooms in 67 countries.

28th November 201830th November 2018

Destination Focus on Monaco

Nestled between France & Italy, The Principality of Monaco is a mere 35-minute drive or 7-minute helicopter from Nice-Cote d’Azur International Airport which has connections to 100 international destinations and 70 flights a day to Europe’s main hubs. With its 300 days of sunshine and everything in walking distance, it is the ideal year-round destination for events. Sandrine Camia, Director of the Monaco Convention Bureau shares her hidden secrets…

Unique selling points of Monaco as a destination

Monaco is one of the easiest destinations to reach from UK & Ireland with more than 25 daily flights from London City, Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Manchester, Edinburgh, Leeds, Liverpool, Newcastle, Southampton, Bristol, Exeter, East Midlands, and Belfast.
Monaco is considered one of the safest nations in the world and where everything is within walking distance.
There is a great selection of hotels offering 2,500 rooms and a long-lasting tradition of welcoming demanding clients.
The Grimaldi Forum Monaco is a high-tech, eco-certified convention centre, with 35,000 square meters of floor space, it can host events for up to 3,000 people.
The mild temperature makes it perfect destination for every season, including winter when destination offers very good value for money.
Principality of Monaco is also a dynamic, competitive and innovative community possessing real knowledge hubs and experts in many sectors.

Value for money

The destination offers very good value for money, especially outside of the summer peak periods. Prices of hotels in Monaco are equal to or lower than those in the same category in other major European cities. Here are few examples:
Hotel rates of Monaco Meetings offer are starting at 206 euros in 4-star category for low season 2019 (January to march + November & December) and 171 euros in 3-star category, including breakfast and WIFI access, upgrades and complimentary rooms for staff.
Destination is compact and safe. Most of hotels are walking destination to the convention center, offering big savings on time and transportation.
Monaco has a wide selection of restaurants and venues. It is famous for unique venues (Salle des Etoiles, ballrooms of Hotel de Paris and Hotel Hermitage …) and highly rated restaurants, but many more offer various menus and accessible range of prices: brasserie style, Italian, international, vegan. For groups, event organizers will find attractive dine-around solutions at very competitive prices.

A selection of destination images of Monaco

A selection of venues

Monte Carlo Société des Bains de Mer (SMB) manages and owns four hotels – Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo, Monte-Carlo Beach, Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort and the Méridien Beach Plaza – with a total of 850 rooms. Combined, these hotels offer 50 meeting and banqueting rooms, 30 restaurants and bars, three spas, a Beach Club, 23 tennis courts, an 18-hole golf course and four casinos to choose from.

Fairmont Monte Carlo offers professional meeting facilities supported by a comprehensive array of professional and state-of-the-art services. The event planners offer expertise in planning events and the hotel’s meeting venues comprise of spaces suitable for an executive meeting for 10 and a professional conference for 900. Meeting venues include flexible meeting rooms, dedicated boardrooms, upscale hospitality suites and one of the largest ballrooms in the French Riviera. Fairmont Monte Carlo also offers certified meeting professionals and a Learning Environment Specialist who are on hand to organise and oversee the critical details that make a meeting great.

Hotel Metropole comprises of 126 rooms, including 64 suites, two Michelin starred restaurants, a pool-side restaurant designed by Karl Lagerfeld, Lobby bar, Spa Metropole by Givenchy and six conference rooms. This includes three meeting rooms featuring interiors by Karl Lagerfeld; Homere is ideal for presentations, Penelope & Ulysse are meeting rooms that can be combined or used separately, The Foyer is perfect for small committee meetings, a reception office or coffee breaks whilst The Theatre can be customised for lots of different types of events.

Key Figures

Monaco hosts around 500 business events per year.
Monaco has seen significant increase of meeting & events business for the past 5 years.
MICE business represented 26% of tourism activity in 2017 (against 18% in 2012) with a 6% increase of room nights compared to 2016.
Finance, Medical and IT sectors represented 59% of M.I.C.E. business activity in 2017 with an increase of market share of 5 points and +6% of room nights compared to 2016.
These same sectors represented 48% of MICE Business in 2013, the year of the launch of a new marketing campaign for promoting business tourism in Monaco.
The trend is strengthening in 2018 with an increase in the number of room nights by + 10% by end of June (more than 8,000 overnight stays) and a market share of 32% of total tourism for the first semester.

Support from Monaco Convention Bureau

To facilitate the organisation of each event, the Monaco Convention Bureau offers and delivers a unique, high-value “Monaco Meetings” package, featuring affordable harmonised hotel rates and great benefits and services offering great value for money.

The main conditions for taking advantage of the Monaco Meetings offer are:
RFP has to be sent to your local Monaco Convention Bureau
Significant occupancy of the Grimaldi Forum Monaco
Book a minimum of 1,200 room nights during a minimum of two consecutive nights and two hotels located in the Principality.

Monaco meetings offer includes discounted hotel rooms and meeting space rental, complimentary welcome cocktails for all participants, discounted airport transfers and free access to public buses in the Principality.

Subject to size, length of stay, significant occupancy of convention centre, the Government could also offer financial support in room rental at the Convention Centre. Financial support should be commensurate with the economic impact of the event. There is no minimum or maximum basis, just a tailor-made proposal.