'Booty' from a hotel bedroom      Tracy's World        December 2011

Do you ever sweep the toiletries from the hotel bathroom into your bag before checking out? Of course you don't - but it would appear you are in a minority according to a report from Best Western Hotels.

The items 'ferreted away' from Best Western hotels include a Christmas tree, a suit of armour, a two piece leather suite, a 12ft long model of the supersonic jet Concorde, and a cigarette machine. Even plants in the hotel gardens aren’t safe, with cuttings being taken; whole plants dug up and even bark chippings from flower beds going home with guests.

One guest even managed to clear out an entire hotel room – taking absolutely everything inside, except the bed. This included the bedspread and matching curtains, a plasma television, a hairdryer, kettle, cups and saucers.

However, when you add festive spirit into the mix it appears there is just one thing topping the poll of the most popular item taken – baubles! 'If we added up all the baubles that went missing in hotels across Great Britain it would cost £1billion' claims Best Western.

The Best Western review concluded that the most frequently taken items were:
Toiletries
Toilet rolls
Teaspoons
Towels
Bathrobes
Batteries from remote controls

...and Best Western's attitude to this wholesale pilfering is: 'On the whole we do not mind toiletries going home with our guests, we have even added ‘so good you’ll want to steal two’ on our soap'.

Viva Live Music perform at the recently reopened St Ermins Hotel in London. Susan Heaton Wright takes up the story:

Finding a venue that has a ‘Wow’ factor when guests arrive is always a challenge. When it is in Central London, close to public transport, that is even more of a challenge, yet Viva Live Music had the privilege of performing twice at such a venue. St Ermins is a recently refurbished hotel close to St James’s tube station.



When you arrive at the venue, the reception, lobby area is light, spacious and fresh. I was particularly taken by the stunning staircase; not only do you think you are in a vintage movie wafting down the stairs, but it has endless performing opportunities – or photo calls for a team! I could see this area being a stimulating, energising break out area for delegates of conferences or at events like weddings, gala dinners etc.

Upstairs, a particularly stunning area is a terrace off the mezzanine area. In the summer, cocktails are served and this is perfect for receptions and informal events such as barbeques.

My favourite room is the ballroom. If you loved  the lobby area, you will CERTAINLY love this room, with its beautiful chandeliers and balconies. Lovingly restored to its original splendour, this is a celebration of the art deco style, with a balcony for musicians and to survey the entertainment below. With lovely acoustics, this room has carpeted flooring to ensure background additional noise is kept to a minimum. Immediately the image of ‘Fairytale’ weddings comes to mind, but this is too good a venue for gala dinners, award ceremonies and conferences to miss out on this treat. There are other break out rooms that can be used for further guests and activities.

From a practical point of view, we found it straight forward to unload equipment – and this would  apply to anyone organising a corporate or private event. Do take a look: it is wonderful!

Wearing my ‘global economics commentator’ hat I note that we are forever being told on television news that the economies of the Far East and Africa are overtaking those of the West. I must confess that I usually ignore this information. However it appears that the Rezidor Hotel Group have not.

I was checking the new hotel openings from the Rezidor earlier this week. They operate Radisson Blu hotels, Park Inn by Radisson and Hotel Missoni in the UK.

Over the next four years Rezidor are planning to open Park Inn by Radisson properties in Tete Mozambique and four hotels in Nigeria in: Abeokuta, Lagos Apape, Abuja and Lagos. They are also planning to open a further eight in Russia.
Over the same time span they are planning three new hotels in the UK at Wembley, Bournemouth and London Excel

The move eastwards is even more marked in the case of Radisson Blu Hotels. Rezidor are planning five new hotels in India (Ahmedabad, Ghaziabad, Nagpur, Mysore and Hyderabad) and ten throughout Africa in Ethiopia, Mozambique, Zambia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Morocco, Ghana, Angola, Kenya and Nigeria. Over the same time span they plan just one new hotel in the UK in Newcastle on Tyne and you will have to wait until 2014 for that.

It is a sign of the times – as they say.

Joining the PA  Club on a Virgin Train trip            Alison's World
I had a wonderful invitation last week from the PA Club - a return journey, first-class with dinner, drinks and entertainment on board a London – Birmingham Virgin train. It was too good to refuse and I could take a client along to share the experience. I took Debbie; first name only to save her embarrassment! This is what she thought.

I travelled on the Willy Wonka Express, an event organised by the London PA Club, courtesy of an invitation from Choice Locations.  What an adventure!  Canapes and Champagne on the reserved platform (served by dubiously orange and slightly tall! oompah loompahs).  We were entertained by a very clever magician but sadly despite three attempts, I did not manage to win the £50 note. 

Alison, my host from Choice Locations, did manage to keep the fork he bent – how did he do that in front of our eyes?  The wine flowed on throughout the very rapid journey from Euston to Birmingham International.  Just enough time to chat with fellow P.As. sat at my table and catch up with the latest news from Choice Locations.  The journey whizzed by in the very comfortable first class carriage and we were even served dinner en route (personally I was not that keen on the sweet theme of the food but really enjoyed the free sweeties on offer, Curly Wurly taking you right back to childhood). 

All those involved in organising the event had put in a tremendous amount of work although I admit that I found the Willy Wonka character slightly creepy but the Brad Pitt-a-like was real eye candy.

All too soon the journey was over and we had a final drink in the Virgin VIP lounge at International before heading home.   It was a really enjoyable event and a great chance to network and compare notes with other P.A. s.  Thanks to Choice Locations, for the invitation and all the excellent work they do for me throughout the year.

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