Blog
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Trip Advisor – Help or Hindrance?
By Sarah Ratner
Generally speaking, people do not like surprises. Of course no one is going to complain if a spontaneous bunch of flowers land on our desk or if your loving boyfriend whisks you away to New York for the weekend. However, if you are planning a holiday, choosing a hotel or picking a restaurant, the average person does want some kind of idea of what they will be spending their hard-earned money on. This is where Trip Advisor comes in.
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The Heineken Experience
By Sarah Ratner
Not only is Amsterdam one of the most accessible cities in Europe but it is full of culture and incentive opportunities. Consequently this city is becoming an increasingly popular choice for the business traveller.
As a result, Amsterdam is expanding to cope with the demand. There are new hotels set to open such as Holiday Inn in the Arena Towers complex, Fletcher Hotel Arena, Park Plaza art’otel and Ramada Apollo Amsterdam Centre, the largest Ramada hotel in Europe. However the most interesting new venue to hit the city is The Heineken Brewery. This national monument has moved the beer production to the new plant in Zoeterwoude and so has now become the Heineken Experience! Not only is this building for tourists but also for conferences. The venue has the capacity to host up to 650 people for an event and boasts five meeting rooms on the top floors of the historical building which have stunning views over Holland’s capital city. What better way to enjoy these views than with a refreshing pint of Heineken?
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And all that Jazz…
By Sarah Ratner
Sometimes it is important to just have some fun!
Boisdale in Canary Wharf is the ideal venue to make this happen. This fantastic playground for adults houses a restaurant and jazz club, caviar and oyster bar, whiskey bar, cigar terrace and a Cuban cigar library and shop. The largest of the Boisdale group, this venue is the place to go to listen to great jazz. The property hosts some of the world’s leading jazz, soul and blues musicians. The building can seat up to 200 people for a private dinner and there is a music director on hand to co-ordinate a special band or performer for your next special event.
Whether you are looking to exclusively hire it for a lavish celebration or just fancy popping in for a cocktail and a spot of jazz, Boisdale Canary Wharf is definitely worth a try.
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Talk of the Town… Take Two!
By Sarah Ratner
The venue that used to (deservedly) go by the name Talk of the Town is soon to reopen!Later in 2012 – the exact date is to be announced – “The Hippodrome” will re-launch itself following a £30 million re-development. Since 2005, when the property closed after sadly losing its direction somewhat, the building in the prime location of Leicester Square has remained empty. But this is soon to change.
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Who said Tree Houses were just for kids?
By Sarah Ratner
Following on from Paul’s earlier blog regarding the award-winning Chewton Glen – it seems the luxurious country house has an extraordinary idea in the pipeline. Towards the end of summer 2012, the hotel is launching its ‘Tree house Suites’… and they do exactly what they say on the tin (and perhaps a little more).
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Brand NEW year, brand NEW properties
By Sarah Ratner
2012 is the beginning of many exciting things for London and it is not only the Olympics which we can look forward to.
ME by Mélia is expanding their experience-based brand to bring a property to London. The hotel is due to open in June 2012 in Holborn and promises to be very funky and full of personality. This chain of hotels aims to combine art, music, design and cuisine to provide more than just accommodation. ME by Mélia London is set to be contemporary and cutting edge and with a roof-top terrace bar and club, it will be the place to party during the Olympics.
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Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa
An English Original…Chewton Glen is a luxury country house hotel and spa set in 130 acres of Hampshire countryside on the edge of the New Forest National Park, and just a few minutes’ walk from the sea.
A very special place, Chewton Glen is a proud member of Relais & Châteaux, is one of the finest luxury hotels in the UK and has been voted ‘Best Hotel for Service in the UK’ and listed as one of the ‘World’s Best Hotels’ by Conde Nast Traveller readers in 2011..
The unsurpassed heritage of effortlessly gracious English hospitality and the balance between heritage and evolution is what makes Chewton Glen a 5 red star luxury Hampshire country house hotel and spa that constantly surprises.
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Janet Brannigan… Welcome to the team!
By Sarah Ratner
2012 is off to a very exciting start in the Conference Contacts offices as we welcome our newest member to the team – Janet Brannigan.
Janet has joined the team as Venue Search Manager and knows every single property out there, both old and new. She will be joining the operations team to book your events from large to small, product launches to exhibitions, breakfast meetings to dinners. Previously working at BCD Meetings & Incentives/ Talking Point Limited for fifteen years, Janet brings with her twenty years of invaluable experience of the events industry.
Janet commented ‘I am delighted to join the Conference Contacts Team and I hope to make a difference with the vast venue knowledge I have’.
Janet is secretly also a brilliant photographer and when she is not venue searching she indulges in her favourite hobby – taking pictures! She is fanatical about concerts, a bit of a petrol head being Jenson Button’s biggest fan and likes eating lots of apples!
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Take a Chance on Chancery Court
Branching away from the Marriott brand it used to belong to, Chancery Court is undergoing a great deal of significant changes. The hotel is now steering towards being a 5-star deluxe destination, ideally suited for business and pleasure. Consequently the team jumped at the invitation to come and stay in the hotel just before Christmas and have a little nose around at what was going on…
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