Industry News, September 2010

Exciting times for the Sofitel London Heathrow has been awarded “Best New Business Hotel in the World 2010” for the second year running.

Work has started at The Harrogate International Centre (HIC) on a £13m project to create two new event halls, the expansion will mean there is an additional 3,300sqm of event space which is due to be completed by Autumn 2011.

The Pavillion Arts Centre in Buxton’s Pavillion Gardens Complex is due to open this month. The new venue is the product of a £2.5m redevelopment and will offer exhibition space of 80sqm and 200sqm.

London Syon Park, part of the Waldorf Astoria Collection, is due to open in November on the Syon House Estate. The Grand Syon Ballroom will be able to hold 450 theatre style and the roof top lounge and herb garden make this a truly unique venue.

The Folly is a new East London venue due to open in October which can cater for 240 for dinner and features and deli, flower shop, library and private dining facilities for 20.

From 1st October Swissotel The Howard will be home to a traditional Swiss-themed pop-up this festive season. The chalet will take up to 70 for dinner or 120 for a reception and will be reminiscent of a royal hunting lodge with wood panelling, a cosy lounge and a log fire.

De Vere venues has added Tesco’s residential training centre, Ponsbourne Park in Hertfordshire, to its portfolio.

Work has started at Telford International Centre (TIC) to create 2 new entrances, additional breakout space and a whole new event suite meaning nearly 3,000sqm of additional space.

Five luxury boutique hotels in London, Edinburgh and Leeds which are part of the Eton Group have been placed in to administration, however the hotels are continuing to trade.

The Royal Bank of Scotland has put 6 of its Hilton Hotels on the market for a total asking price of £200m in an attempt to return to profitability after two years of record losses.

Von Essen’s Hotel Verta in Battersea has opened offering 70 beds and conference facilities for up to 200 delegates including a roof top event space for 350 standing.

Four Seasons London will re launch in late 2010 following a transformation of the bedrooms, suites, restaurant and bars plus a deluxe roof top spa with views over Hyde Park.

Opening of the W Hotel and Residences London Leicester Square has been delayed until February 2011.

 Hilton London Metropole has just completed a £1.8m refurbishment of its West Wing.

The Science Museum London is due to open its £4m interactive climate science gallery in November providing exhibition and reception space for up to 300.

Holiday Inn Express and Holiday Inn Theatreland Glasgow are benefitting from a £10m upgrade as part of the re launch of the brand.

CCT Venues-Smithfield underwent a major refurbishment in May and have just completed changes to the ground floor of CCT Venues-Barbican. This includes the creation of a self-contained suite with new rooms and a refreshment area featuring a ‘fresh bean, fresh milk’, self-serve coffee machine.

The Brewery, one of London’s most prolific event spaces is to benefit from a five star hotel on its doorstep.  The Montcalm London City Hotel is set to open its doors to delegates, business travellers and weekenders in the confines of the reputed event space. A discreet transformation of the former site is under way and is set to marry the Grade II listed architecture with an upscale hotel, offering world class service levels with a design-led ethos.  The 235 bedroom hotel will be owned and managed by Montcalm Hotels whose premise is to offer boutique design while preserving heritage values. All bedrooms will be of king size proportions with suites designed especially for business travellers and the signature Heritage Brewery Suites providing the ideal bolthole from today’s fast paced city scene with a nod to the building’s 18th century origins.  The opening of the hotel will provide additional event space especially designed for intimate boardroom meetings and private dinners meaning the Brewery’s number of available rooms will increase to 12. 

Hallmark Hotels has acquired its sixth hotel; Hallmark Gloucester, retaining staff and set to begin a £3 million refurbishment.  Situated in the Cotswolds, the former Ramada hotel is located just two miles from Gloucester city centre. The hotel includes a pool, health club and beauty salon as well as exceptional corporate and events facilities. The new owners, Hallmark Hotels, will be looking to upgrade the hotel from its current three stars to bring the property in line with the rest of the four-star Hallmark collection.

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and The Fat Duck Group have joined forces to create Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Chef Heston Blumenthal’s first London restaurant which will open at the award-winning Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London in December 2010.

Apex Hotels received national acclaim when it was named Small Hotel Group of the year at the AA Hospitality Awards 2010 – 2011. The AA, celebrating the best in hospitality, held the glamorous black-tie ceremony, hosted by journalist and TV Presenter Penny Smith, at the London Hilton on Park Lane on 27th September. The AA Hospitality Awards recognise and reward the excellent services provided by the UK’s very best establishments and launches the 2010 AA guides to UK hotels and restaurants.

Apex Hotels is one of the UK’s leading operator of four-star, contemporary hotels. Based in Edinburgh, the company operates the Apex City and Apex International in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket, in addition to owning/operating the Apex European in Edinburgh’s West End, Apex Waterloo Place Hotel, the Apex City Quay Hotel & Spa in Dundee and the Apex City of London and Apex London Wall Hotel. Apex Hotels continue their expansion plans with their latest acquisition at 1-3 Sergeant’s Inn. Apex is creating the first hotel in one of London’s Inns of Court. The Apex Temple Court Hotel, due to open in early 2012 and situated just off Fleet Street, is a landmark building with a rich history and will be converted into a four star luxury contemporary hotel with 184 bedrooms, each offering the latest in business facilities together with restaurant, bar, executive lounge and gym.

International

On 7th September 2010 the Convention Centre in Dublin opened its doors. Situated only 20 minutes from Dublin Airport, the CCD is Ireland’s first world class, purpose-built conference venue. The centre offers 22 flexible halls and meeting rooms.

Valencia Conference Centre has won the title of World’s Best Congress Centre, awarded by the International Association of Congress Centres. UK venues that made the shortlist included the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre, Belfast Waterfront and the Brighton Centre.

Intercontinental Hotels group (IHG) has posted half year results showing profits of £108.7m, down 38% year on year. However, it outperformed the market in each of its three geographical regions, with the UK being one of the more resilient markets.

The former Royal Dutch telecom headquarters in the Hague has been transformed into a new upscale hotel. Hilton The Hague offers 195 bedrooms and 10 meeting rooms, with a maximum capacity of 400 guests.

Frankfurt – Jumeirah will open a hotel in the city’s major new PalaisQuartier leisure and retail development this December. Sol Melia will open a 162 room, four star hotel in 2013. Grand Hyatt is due to open early 2012, this will incorporate 2,500sqm of conferencing and banqueting space.