Venue Update

Celebrities including Annie Lennox and Liza Minnelli were reportedly among the guests forced to flee a music award ceremony being held at London’s prestigious Hilton Park Lane Hotel.

Around 50 firefighters battled for more than seven hours to extinguish the blaze at the 28-floor building which overlooks Hyde Park.

London Fire Brigade (LFB) said they were alerted shortly before 7pm on Friday 1st July to reports of smoke in a second floor kitchen vent and in the basement. Earlier on Friday the hotel hosted the Silver Clef Awards in which Sir Paul McCartney was honoured as the year's best live act. Sky News said stars who had attended the event such as Lennox, Minnelli, Status Quo and Tinie Tempah were among the evacuees. The annual charity event is formally known as the Nordoff Robbins O2 Silver Clef Awards.

Meliá’s new London hotel has had its roof destroyed by a fire. Twenty fire engines and 100 fire-fighters tackled the blaze for more than seven hours which started at 11am on the 15th June

Due to open next year, the 173 bedroom 5 star hotel is situated in former BBC headquarters, Marconi House, on The Strand in London’s West End.

Meliá Hotels International confirmed that no one was injured in the blaze, although the full extent of the damage is still unknown.
A spokeswoman for the Spanish hotel company said: “Meliá Hotels International is grateful to the London Fire Brigade for their diligence and responsibility in extinguishing the fire, preventing it spreading to the rest of the building and, above all, avoiding injuries. The building work, with the full-risk insurance coverage, will be restarted as soon as possible.”
When refurbishments are completed it will be known as ME London and will be the group’s second hotel in the capital.

In September 2010 Dorchester Collection opened Coworth Park, a new 70 room country house hotel and spa located next to Ascot and bordering on Windsor Great Park. Just 45 minutes from Central London, the hotel stands in 240 acres of Royal Berkshire parkland as offers three restaurants headed up

by Michelin-starred Chef John Campbell. It also boats two polo fields and an equestrian centre, and an eco-luxury Spa with an indoor swimming pool.
The jewel in the crown of Coworth Park’s 16 suites is The Dower House. This picturesque private house built in 1775 has its own dining room, lounge, kitchen, snug and a secluded garden with its own stream running through it; home to Coworth Park’s family of swans.
Guests can also enjoy special access to neighbouring Wentworth Club’s champion golf courses.

The Savoy - Grand Reopening at 10am on 10/10/10

A British icon since 1889, The Savoy once again taken its place on the world stage after over a £100 million restoration. The hotel seamlessly blends elements of the original and the new while the stunning English Edwardian and Art Deco interiors sparkle with timeless elegance and glamour.

The 268 guestrooms and suites are the last word in style, luxury and discreet technology with stunning views of London and the River Thames. Nine ‘signature suites’ have been styled after some of The Savoy’s most high profile guests while a newly created 2-bedroom Royal Suite is truly a suite fit for a King.

The Savoy continues the tradition of culinary excellence started by Auguste Escoffier with the return of Gordon Ramsay to the Savoy Grill and the reopening of the beloved River Restaurant.

Legendary bartender Harry Craddock’s classic cocktails are still served in the newly renovated American Bar and the new Beaufort Bar offers one of the finest selections of Champagne in the city. The Savoy has played host to many historic events and the restored Banqueting and Private Rooms will once again see the great and the good return to The Savoy.

With an enviable location on the River Thames, the hotel is literally steps away from some of the world’s finest theatres, museums and opera houses. Its proximity to the City means The Savoy is ideally placed whether you are coming to London for business or pleasure.

Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa - 25th Anniversary

The Sheraton Grand in Edinburgh recently celebrated its 25th anniversary with a "grand" Silver Anniversary Party with key clients, industry figures as well as 5 of the 6 General Managers from the last quarter of a century to celebrate not only this milestone but also a major refurbishment.

The renovation has not only refurbished every single room and suite in the hotel, it's also increased the total room numbers to 269. When complete later this autumn, all rooms will feature luxurious glass-walled bathrooms with separate walk-in showers and spacious baths, mood lighting, the latest technology and contemporary Scottish style.

The year has also seen the creation of a new Club Level. This ‘hotel within a hotel' concept is located on the top floor and provides guests with an enhanced level of service and style. Club guests receive exclusive access to the bright and spacious new Club Lounge, where they can enjoy continental breakfast, complimentary drinks and snacks throughout the day and canapés in the evening.

Club guests can also relax with a complimentary Escape at One experience at the award-winning One Spa, which includes a bubbling rooftop hydropool and a series of seven different heat and water experiences inspired by the ancient Celts and Romans.

A new Grand Suite has also been unveiled as the hotel's most opulent offering. With spectacular views of Edinburgh Castle, a master bedroom, spacious dressing room, lounge area, a double shower, private lobby, cloakroom, additional twin room and pantry, it is expected to attract visiting celebrities and VIPs as well as newlyweds treating themselves to a luxurious first night.

A special Silver package will be launched this autumn as part of the 25th anniversary celebrations. The package will allow guests to experience the very best of the Sheraton Grand in 25 memorable hours, including a three-course dinner in The Terrace restaurant, overnight accommodation in a newly renovated Classic room, full Scottish breakfast, an Escape at One experience, an indulgent afternoon tea in The Exchange, and a 4pm check out. The Silver package starts from £279 per room based on two sharing.

CCD Dublin opens its doors

The Convention Centre Dublin (The CCD) announced today it is open for business. After forty months of deveopment and construction, Ireland’s first purpose-built conference centre is ready to attract international delegates to Dublin to host events for up to 8,000 people.

Located on the banks of the River Liffey this building is recognised as the world’s first carbon neutral convention centre. The CCD’s focal point is a unique glass atrium,

which contains 475 panes of different-sized curved glass panels that encompass the full height of the building. Visitors attending events at The CCD will have an opportunity to experience Dublin with extensive views across the skyline, bay and the Dublin Mountains.

The CCD enables Ireland to compete in the lucrative business tourism market by attracting a range of conferences from the International association and corporate markets as well as a variety of national corporate and banqueting events. Whilst commissioning and testing the building, The CCD hosted a number of prestigious events including XFactor, The Britian’s Got Talent Show and 175th Anniversary conference for Engineers Ireland.

Barcelo Majestic Harrogate re-opens

The Barceló Majestic hotel in Harrogate has reopened after a major fire, which claimed the life of a kitchen porter.

More than 50 staff returned to work this week after a closure of four months. The damaged east wing of the property will remain closed.

"The hotel suffered extensive fire and water damage to a narrow section of the east wing but pleasingly we are able to reopen the central and west wing with 88 of the bedrooms.

We have structured the building programme so that the works are self contained and guests can't be disturbed," said Vince Johnson, general manager of the Barceló Harrogate Majestic hotel.

"We have taken the opportunity while the hotel has been shut to redecorate and newly carpet the lobby. The hotel's leisure club is also having a significant makeover and will reopen fully by early October. In November we are hoping that local craftsman Lee Simone will have finished restoring the celebrated murals in the north and south Lounges. We will reopen the sumptuous main dining room in all its glory in time for Christmas parties and weddings," he added.

"It's fantastic to have the team back and we are thrilled to be reopening the hotel in time for the autumn season, always popular with business and leisure guests," he said.

Barceló UK chief executive Charles Prew said: "We are very proud of how well the team from the Majestic have coped with this unfortunate situation and deeply grateful to both local business and individuals who have been so supportive of our efforts."

The damaged section of the hotel is expected to be renovated by April 2011.

Introducing the New Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane

In just a few months, Four Seasons returns to Mayfair with the opening of the new Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane. It is built on the site of the original Four Seasons Inn on the Park, opened in 1970 and a favourite of world travellers and Londoners for close to 40 years.With its terraces and sweeping views of Hyde Park and Westminster, the new Hotel will be a breath of fresh air that ushers in a new era as Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts celebrates fifty years of hospitality in 2011............(more)

“In many ways, London is where the Four Seasons philosophy was born, and where the idea that guests should feel as welcome as they do in someone’s home originated,” says John Stauss, regional vice president and general manager, who will lead a team of 435 staff. “This Hotel represents all that Four Seasons has learned, all we’ve observed, and all that we anticipate will be important to our guests in the future.”
Each of the 192 rooms and suites is furnished in a residential style, but with a decidedly modern twist. “Guests will find that rooms, and the entire Hotel, accommodate today’s technological needs,” says Stauss. “And, it’s a green Hotel, literally and functionally. There will be an abundance of living green plants in the public areas because they improve air quality and connect us with the outdoors. Controls for room lighting and temperature are designed for optimal energy efficiency and guest comfort.”
The Hotel’s Spa is also on the 10th floor. “With its sky-lit vitality pools, steam rooms, saunas and treatment rooms all bathed in natural light, ‘celestial’ might best describe the spa experience that awaits,”says Stauss.
The Fitness Centre is also on the 10th floor giving incredible views of Westminster to motivate guests while they workout.