Laurie Bear
Meet Laurie (!) who works for Scania GB Ltd Trucks!
He has only known Evie a couple of years – he was inspired by her travels and decided to get involved.
He enjoys working with trucks but has gotten the travel bug!
Sadly he missed a recent trip to San Franciso but as you can see he is ready and waiting for the next one to come along…
THISTLE GRAND BRISTOL Tasting Event – September 2011
The E&V Team were invited to the Grand Bristol who hosted a Chocolate and Wine Tasting evening event.
This 19th Century Hotel has undergone a £10 million refurbishment – bringing their Conference Rooms, Bedrooms and Restaurants completely up to date.
* The Hotel is located in the heart of the City
* Offers 10 meeting rooms, largest seating 500 theatre style
* 182 bedrooms including deluxe, executive and suites – complete with the very best of today’s technology.
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- Grand Bristol – Ballroom
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- Evie’s bathrobe maybe a little too large!
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- Grand Bristol – Evie checking in at Reception
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- Spot of Wine Tasting just Evie’s street
The Wine Tasting was presented by the Hotels own inhouse wine expert, with something to suit everyone! Followed by a Chocolate Tasting by local company Guilbert’s who are the only remaining chocolate maker in Bristol and have been making luxury hand made chocolates for 100 years.
We experienced an overnight stay at hotel in the newly refurbished bedrooms. We made use of the new Leisure: with indoor pool, spa, sauna, steam room and gym facilities
… in the hope to work off some of the calories consumed the night before!!
If you feel Thistle properties have not met with your requirements in the past then be aware that the Group launched a five-year investment plan in 2007 to rebrand and refurbish Thistle Hotels within the marketplace – to offer luxury, contemporary standard properties.
We consider the Grand Bristol has been brought into line with other hotel brands in this category.
EVIE’S FRIENDS…
AS YOU CAN SEE, YOU DONT ALWAYS HAVE TO TRAVEL FAR TO SHARE THE RECENT WHEREABOUTS OF EVIE’S FRIENDS…
Tia Kofi - Monthly Winner
Charabella Visits Ascot - Monthly Winner
Evie meets Tia-Kofi - Monthly Winner
Anitas Bear 'Charabella' >> click on image for her latest exotic travels!
'Tia-Kofi' Bear profile to follow shortly
'Fifi' Bear - profile to follow shortly
'Laurie' Bear (click here for Laurie's Profile)
Cynthia's Bear (profile to follow)
South Coast Venues – Client Site Visits Sept 2011
Jackie and Evie recently made the most of the Indian Summer with a trip to the South Coast, to take a look at venues for a Residential client event.
The list of around 9 options had been narrowed down to 4 which were mapped out by E&V – and appointments made (this is all part of the service).
We picked the client up bright and early – with first stop Brighton. Then on to the idyllic setting of a Hotel just over the bridge on Hayling Island.
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- …and now to Portsmouth
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- Another hotel & another cup of tea
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- Don’t you do Bear sized glasses of wine
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- First stop on my South Coast adventure
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- I could be in Austria not near Portsmouth
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- Ready for a cup of tea now
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- REAL milk in your room
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- Where’s the cocktail list
The most was made of the sunshine with lunch out on the decked garden area before heading off for a more corporate hotel in Portsmouth, which has undergone complete refurbishment within the last 18 months. So, a quick cup of tea before heading off out of Portsmouth to a Hotel with grounds, conservatory dining, extensive spa and gym and some wonderful reclaimed timbers creating a really cosy atmosphere in this otherwise modern hotel. Evie enjoyed the spacious suites and the free WiFi before heading off home.
So now comes the hard bit where the client has to pick their favourite – help and advice to hand but the decision is yours…
Rome August 2011
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- Rome 2011 Piazza Navona Fountain of Four Rivers
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- Rome 2011 Radisson Blu Rome 15 minutes away from the Colloseum
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- Rome 2011 Radisson Blu Rome 5 Star
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- Rome 2011 Radisson Blu Rome Rooftop Pool
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- Rome 2011 Radisson Blu Rome Rooftop Pool 2
HBAA FORUM – Manchester, September 2011
The theme of this year’s Conference was Future Vision so plenty of experts predicting where the industry is heading.
* Mid range groups are expected to flourish so the Holiday Inn, Mercure, Holiday Inn Express, Hampton Inns, Jurys Inn with the 5 star market struggling.
* Better deals can be had for long term regular business as venues are keen to get business on their books – although not always in prime locations.
* LONDON has seen a growth, so rates have stayed high.
* Other cities doing well are BIRMINGHAM and MANCHESTER.
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- Ready for another day at the conference
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- some Hotels think of everything!
C&IT – Conference & Incentive Travel Forum 2011
3rd – 5th August 2011 the CONFERENCE & INCENTIVE TRAVEL buyers forum was held at Chelsea Football Club, with accommodation in the almost adjoining Millenium & Copthorne Hotels on site. Whilst we didn’t eat at Marco Pierre Whites Restaurant within the complex, we did have a tour of the grounds and changing rooms… some delegates had to be dragged around screaming, and some couldn’t stop grinning, but this was only a small part of the 2 day event.
We met with suppliers from around the UK as well as Europe and further afield.
We met suppliers from The Emirates:
* Dubai is still a big and popular market with flights around 7 hours from Europe to Singapore so a good halfway point for some.
* Abu Dhabi maybe has a little more history but Dubai is still a little more relaxed – but both work for groups.
All the major European destinations were represented from Berlin, Vienna, Dublin, Barcelona, Paris as well as Canada, Macau, Las Vegas and Hong Kong.
There were plenty of networking opportunities and plenty of knowledge gained over the two day event.
Site Visit to LILLE
FAMILIARISATION TRIP TO LILLE: -
We were invited by Hotel Barrière Lille
* Hotel Barrière has great views overlooking the City
* Contemporary Luxury 5* hotel
* Casino next door ideal to host events
* Location right next to the historical centre of Lille and all public transport
Dining in Lille:
There are amazing dining options to suit all events – choose from an Opera House and various Grand Mansion Houses, through to very informal dining in smaller Cafes and Restaurants.
Other Venues:
You will find several other leading brand Hotels represented in the City – so Lille is a great place for Meetings and Events to suit your budget.
Travel:
Eurostar travel couldn’t be easier… for example leave St Pancras London – next stop is Lille!
1 hour 24 minutes and you step out at Lille Station. The Hotel Barrière Lille is straight opposite.
Checking in time for Eurostar only 30 minutes beforehand! (No 2 hour check in as incurred with airports.)
Eurostar has a regular service from Lille directly to Brussels. The train service from Paris departs every 15 minutes, taking under 1 hour.
For those who don’t know… Lille has belonged to Spain and Holland. With mixed architecture, cobbled streets, little lanes and many boutique shops – everything in Lille is within walking distance.
“SO IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING LILLE AS A DESTINATION TO HOST YOUR NEXT EVENT, CONTACT OUR TEAM WHO CAN OFFER YOU FIRSTHAND KNOWLEDGE.”
SITE VISIT TO BERLIN – July 2011
This was Evies first visit to BERLIN but accompanied by Jackie who had been to Berlin twice before.
The 3 days were packed with visits to some new hotels and old favourites from the modern to traditional.
Evie was amazed by some of the dinner venues on offer from Beach Bars, Rverside Settings, Old Industiral Pumping Stations as well as the amazing Stately Homes and Palaces.
Whilst the weather wasn’t great the options were very diverse so something to suit everyone. With so much recent history with parts of the Wall, Checkpoint Charlie and Museum, Opera House – there is history but also striking new buildings.
Berlin is a little spread out with two City Centres inherited from the old East and West, but there are some very interesting modes of transport: Trabi Cars available for corporate group hire, Beer Bikes where 10 of you can sit around a bar peddaling. Your guide does the steering so you’re quite safe but a unique way of getting around.
“SO CALL OUR TEAM IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING BERLIN AS A YOUR NEXT DESTINATION TO HOST YOUR NEXT EVENT – AND OUR TEAM CAN OFFER YOU FIRSTHAND KNOWLEDGE.”
Site Visit to ROTTERDAM and THE HAGUE
ROTTERDAM and THE HAGUE- you may not be sure exactly where they are so:
1. Fly into Amsterdam which is one of the biggest European hubs
2. Use the walkways straight down to the station below the concorse
3. Pick up the regular service and 30 mins later you’re in Rotterdam
A great Old Port City now revitalised with great modern architecture situated around the waterways.
Then on to The Hague- just 15 mins drive and you will find the very respectable city Das Hague – the home of the famous painting ‘the girl with the pearl earring’.
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- Steigenberger Kurhaus Hotel originates from the 19th century as a bath house
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- Crowne Plaza Den Haag located in wooded surroundings, next to the Peace Palace
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- Intell Hotels Rotterdam Centre waterfront hotel with panoramic views of the Maas River
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- A River taxi in Rotterdam
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- A Hotel by the beach in The Hague
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- A Museum for a Gala Dinner
You will discover a range of Hotel options from a beautiful historic conversion from an Old Bath House to a 5 star Luxury Hotel. Amazing venues for dinners, and following dinner some great Jazz Clubs on the Beach.
Amsterdam is a great City but very expensive – so these other locations are a great alternative and very reasonably priced in comparison.
WELL WORTH A TRY!
“Contact our Team for more details reviews on these locations”
E&V Visit DUBLIN – Event Industry Forum
THIS WAS A 3 DAY TRIP…
“Meet in UK & Ireland” Industry Forum was hosted at the magnificent Carton House, in Dublin. This beautiful Country House Hotel offers excellent conference facilities, a 1,100-acre private parkland estate with permanent on site team building structures. Carton House Hotel Golf Club & Spa has 165 bedrooms, and is situated only 20 minutes from Dublin City Centre.
The Forum offered an opportunity to:
* attend a series of appointments
* meet with lots of suppliers
* spend lots of time then looking at all the major Conference Hotels in Dublin
* have 1 to 1 meetings with venues ranging from Castles, to a privately owned Island Resort, along with many of the exclusive Golf and Spa Resorts throughout Ireland.
With the economic climate as it is, Dublin Hotels are extremely good value for money.
There are lots of regional flights into Dublin with 63 airlines flying to over 158 destinations. Over the last 10 years €2bn has been invested to improve Dublin Airport, which opened a new terminal November 2010.
No trip to Dublin would be complete without a visit to either the Guinness or Old Jameson Distillery.
out of focus... too much Jameson Whiskey!
And more Whiskey to try
How to dress a table...
“To add… our stay at Carton House was shared with a whole premiership football team! If the view out of the window wasn’t enough, watching the team do stretch and warm up in the pool and leisure would certainly guarantee this hotel business!!”
SO IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING IRELAND AS YOUR NEXT CONFERENCE OR EVENT DESTINATION – CONTACT THE E&V TEAM WHO HAVE FIRSTHAND KNOWLEDGE OF VENUES, LOCATIONS AND CURRENT OFFERS … Tel: 0117 9414 888
