Jetsettersblog

The Isla Gladstone Conservatory reopens in Stanley Park in Liverpool this summer. The restored building will be available to hire for private meetings, conferences and formal dinners.

The Conservatory will seat up to 250 for a formal dinner or 300 for a theatre-style meeting. There is also a bistro, open to the public, seating 100 guests and available for private hire in the evening, plus a small meeting room seating up to 40 theatre-style.

There are two marquee sites alongside the Conservatory. The Conservatory is set within landscaped gardens, and there is secure parking for 100 cars.

The 110-year-old building was derelict for 30 years. The structure was taken down piece by piece and every part of the metal frame has been replaced or restored. The project is part of the £25-million regeneration of Stanley Park.

Stanley Park is very close to the centre of Liverpool. It separates Liverpool and Everton Football Clubs.

Isla Gladstone Conservatory

Anfield Rd, Liverpool L4 0TD
Tel: +44 151 263 0363

Website: www.theislagladstone.co.uk

Three cottages in the grounds of Leeds Castle in Kent are now available for holiday hire. The luxury self-catering holiday cottages are newly refurbished and decorated with antiques and designer furnishings.

They have been awarded a 4-star quality rating.
Keepers House, formerly the Gamekeeper’s House, is in a secluded position overlooking the weir pond, and is equipped for 10 adults.

The family room features a king-size carved mahogany bed. The kitchen has an Aga as well as a conventional cooker. Weir Cottage, next door, has a bedroom with a vaulted, beamed ceiling, a king-size handmade antique pine bed and a chandelier.

There is a large garden for the exclusive use of guests.
Battel Hall Oast, suitable for four adults or two adults and three children, is the upper floor of the former oast house (used to dry the hops for brewing beer).

It overlooks the parkland to the castle and across to the North Downs.

All three holiday cottages have modern facilities, with gas-fired central heating, and a washing machine and dishwasher in the two larger properties.

All have microwaves, TVs and DVD players.
Guests staying in the cottages also receive free visitor year passes giving them unlimited access to Leeds Castle and grounds.

The castle has gardens, a nine-hole golf course, aviary and falconry displays as well as an unusual dog-collar museum, maze and grotto and Knights’ Realm playground. A free pass to the nearby Ramada Hotel Health Club including swimming pool and tennis courts is also provided.

Leeds Castle stands in 200 hectares (500 acres) of parkland near Maidstone, just off the M20 motorway between London and the Channel ports.

Leeds Castle, Maidstone, Kent ME17 1PL
Tel: +44 1622 765400
Website: www.leeds-castle.com

Hotel gets a centenary makeover

The Goring Hotel is the oldest privately-owned 5-star hotel in London. The current owner Jeremy Goring is the great-great-grandson of the founder OR Goring.

To mark the hotel’s centenary in 2010, he is refreshing the hotel’s interiors. ‘I want the hotel to be looking its very best when it begins the next 100 years of its life.’

Russell Sage, creative director of the wall covering and fabric company Gainsborough Silk Weavers, has been commissioned to transform six of the top guest rooms.

The company is a royal warrant holder and has created fabrics for the royal household. A fabric has been chosen for each of the six rooms from Gainsborough’s original archive of 7,000 historic fabrics.

The Goring, which is close to Buckingham Palace, was the first hotel in the world to offer central heating and a bathroom for every bedroom. It also has the largest hotel garden in central London, measuring 41 metres x 30 metres (135ft x 98ft). The hotel has 71 bedrooms individually designed in classic English style. The dining room was designed by the Queen’s nephew David Linley.

There is a full-length statue of the founder OR Goring in the lobby. A fresh flower is placed in the statue’s buttonhole every day of the year.

The Goring
Beeston Place, Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1W 0JW
Tel: +44 20 7396 9000
Website: www.thegoring.com

The £80-million restoration of the Langham hotel in London is completed.

The substantial programme of restoration and refurbishment has taken place over five years and has created 380 luxury guestrooms and suites, 15 function rooms, including the historic Grand Ballroom, new public areas and the Palm Court, famous as the place where the tradition of afternoon tea was born.

The hotel first opened in June 1865. It was not only London’s first purpose-built Grand Hotel but also the first in Europe.

It was one of the largest public buildings in London with seven floors, 600 rooms and over 300 water closets (WCs).

The Langham was the only hotel to have its own post and telegraph office. Wireless internet access and a new IP telephone system are today’s communication aids. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle mentioned the hotel in several of his Sherlock Holmes stories. Today, The Langham, London hosts regular book launches, literary and artistic events.

The hotel now has The Landau restaurant as well as the Postillion, a private 16-seat private dining room. The Artesian cocktail bar stocks over 70 different rums.

The Langham, London
1c Portland Place, Regent Street, London W1B 1JA
Tel: +44 20 7636 1000
Website:  www.london.langhamhotels.co.uk

The five-star luxury May Fair hotel in London’s West End has opened one of the capital city’s largest private screening rooms.
The May Fair Theatre can seat 201.

It offers THX quality sound and dedicated audio visual support. It is available to hire for screenings, press briefings and presentations.

As well as the new May Fair Theatre, the May Fair’s suites are available for smaller private screenings for up to 50 people.

The May Fair was first opened by King George V in 1927.

It has over 400 luxury hotel bedrooms including 12 suites. Hire prices for the May Fair screening theatre start at £600 an hour, based on a minimum two-hour hire.

The May Fair Hotel
Stratton Street, London W1J 8LT
Tel: +44 20 7915 3898
Website: www.themayfairhotel.co.uk

The Museum of London’s archaeology department has confirmed the location of London’s first purpose-built playhouse. The Theatre, built in 1576 by James Burbage, has been discovered in what is currently a disused warehouse in Shoreditch, east London.

Shakespeare wrote and performed at The Theatre between 1594 and 1597 and Romeo and Juliet almost certainly received its first performance there. Finds at the site include a fragment of 16th-century pottery featuring the image of a man with beard and ruff.

In 1597 following a disagreement between the Burbages and their landlord, the wooden structure was dismantled and taken south of the Thames to become part of the Globe theatre. The Tower Theatre Company, one of London’s leading non-professional theatre organisations has announced plans to build a new theatre on the site.

Penny Tuerk, Chairman of the Tower Theatre Trustees says: ‘We have a unique opportunity both to preserve the heritage of The Theatre and develop a modern space for small-scale arts and theatre in Hackney. It is a very exciting project and our vision is to create a modern-day venue for all to enjoy.’

The Museum of London’s director Jack Lohman says: ‘This extraordinary find offers a tantalising glimpse into Shakespeare’s city, and the proposed theatre development on this special site seems a fitting way to harness the energy and spirit of a place that is so central to the story of London and Londoners.’

Websites: www.museumoflondon.org.uk  and www.towertheatre.org.uk 

The open-air theatre in the park

This year’s summer season at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre will include the musical Hello Dolly, Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing and The Tempest and The Importance of being Earnest by Oscar Wilde.

Many theatregoers consider the Open Air Theatre one of London’s best-kept secrets. The Artistic Director Timothy Sheader says:

‘The wonderful unpredictability of being in the heart of one of the city’s most loved parks is what makes each visit to the Open Air Theatre a truly unique and thrilling experience. We encourage audiences to arrive early and enjoy the theatre’s enchanting setting and to stay late in the longest and most spacious bar of any London theatre.’

Visitors often bring a picnic to eat in the park before the show. For the first time this summer, visitors can pre-book picnics with their theatre tickets. The picnic will include wine and a complimentary programme, and there will be a vegetarian option. There is also a restaurant at the theatre which serves tapas, main courses, summer salads and barbecue dishes. For matinee performances, tea and cake can be booked in advance.

The theatre opened in 1932 and is the only permanent professional outdoor theatre in Britain. The steeply raked auditorium is one of the largest in London with 1,240 seats. This year’s productions run from 25 May to 12 September, with ticket prices from £10 to £42.50.

Open Air Theatre
Inner Circle, Regent’s Park, London NW1 4NR
Tel: +44 844 826 4242
Website: www.openairtheatre.org

In its first foray out of the United Kingdom, hospitality giant Thistle Hotels will be making its presence felt in Asia through two key hotel properties in Malaysia – Thistle Johor Bahru and Thistle Port Dickson Resort.

The Thistle brand is part of Guoman Hotel Management (UK) Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of GuocoLeisure Limited. Both companies are members of the Hong Leong Group whose hospitality and leisure business is spread across the globe. In Malaysia, Thistle will be managing properties owned by GuocoLand Malaysia, also a member of the Hong Leong Group of companies. The two properties are slated to open middle of 2009.

“Investing MYR 50 million in the refurbishment of both properties, Thistle’s expansion into Malaysia is part of the hospitality brand’s two-year strategy to expand its business to an international scale. The hotels will be the first properties opened under the Thistle name outside of the UK,” said Ian Jones, Regional Director of Guoman Hotels Asia.

For his part, GuocoLand Malaysia Managing Director Paul Poh said, “We are very pleased to welcome Thistle to Asia and are especially proud to have the first two properties right here on Malaysian shores.

This endeavor demonstrates GuocoLand Malaysia’s commitment to the Malaysian hospitality industry. This partnership with Thistle proves our commitment to continue to enhance the value of our properties. ”

Delivering an informal upmarket environment of comfort, relaxation and style, the two Malaysian properties are designed to cater to both business and leisure travelers providing an atmosphere of true Asian hospitality with classic British touches.

Thistle Port Dickson Resort opening in June 2009 will have 251 bedrooms set upon 90 acres of stunning green resort space. The beach hotel boasts a nine-hole golf course, two tennis courts, three restaurants, two bars and three outdoor swimming pools, with views out over the beach and sea.

In July 2009, Thistle Johor Bahru will open its doors as the second Asian Thistle property. Located in one of Malaysia’s most important commercial cities, just across the border from Singapore, this high end yet affordable hotel will cater primarily to business visitors.

The hotel offers 381 bedrooms including 125 luxury rooms, two restaurants, two bars, large events space with a capacity for 650 persons and an outdoor “resort style” swimming pool.

For its long-term guests, the hotel also has 19 units of apartment for rent.

“The two hotels provide different offerings, but one thing is clear: both will contribute to the regeneration of the localities. Thistle Port Dickson which will be of international standard is sure to attract leisure and MICE audience from around the world. Thistle Johor Bahru, capitalizing on its prime location at the gateway to Singapore, will cater primarily to the business community supporting inward investment to the area and offering a hotel standard that the city of JB has never seen before,” concluded Jones.

World’s largest car rental firm moves to reinforce its presence in region to be ready for market revival

Dubai, UAE, 7th May 2009: Hertz, the world’s largest car rental firm, is to open its first Middle East corporate office in Dubai as part of a new regional investment programme.

Michel Taride, President of Hertz Europe Ltd and Executive Vice President of Hertz Corporation, announced the move today during his first visit to the UAE when he also outlined plans to increase support to the Middle East’s 11 Hertz franchisees.

“We will be taking steps to set up the Dubai office over the next few months and it will officially open on 1st January 2010,” said Taride, who has been present this week at the Hertz stand at Arabian Travel Market in Dubai.

“It is part of our three to five-year Middle East investment plan which is designed to deliver increased support to our franchises and other partners in the region.

“The new corporate operation will be headed by a regional commercial director, and we are also in the process of identifying an experienced regional sales manager.

He added: “We have a good deal of new business in the pipeline in the Middle East and we are taking steps to ensure that the Hertz brand is in the best position for growth and strong performance once the market bounces back from the effects of the global economic crisis.”

Taride said plans include the introduction of a “green” fleet of low emission environmentally friendly vehicles.

“We see the Middle East is an increasingly important market and want to bring more of the innovative services and technology that we have already introduced elsewhere in the world to this region,” he said.

Taride took a break from Arabian Travel Market yesterday afternoon to visit Hertz UAE’s headquarters in Rashidiya.

Hertz UAE, which is part of the Al Futtaim group of companies and has been in operation since 1993, provides a comprehensive range of car rental and leasing services and runs a nationwide network of 13 outlets in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah

At Arabian Travel Market Hertz UAE has been promoting new pre-paid outbound car rental packages for holiday makers heading overseas this summer as well as attractive monthly rental deals for local residents who want to avoid the hassle and expense of buying cars.

Last night Taride outlined the Hertz regional investment plans to regional franchisees and other Middle East business partners at a cocktail reception at the Burj Al Arab.

Abu Dhabi National Hotels (ADNH), the UAE-based leading hospitality group with interests in hotels, tourism, transport, and catering, announced today that two new Al Diar-branded hotels will be fully operational by mid-year, bringing the total number of its owned and managed 4-star executive hotels to ten.

Strategically located at one of the most dynamic business and residential districts in Dubai in close proximity to Dubai Media City, Internet City, the American University of Dubai, Al Diar Hotel Apartments–Al Barsha features 64 luxurious apartments consisting of one- and two-bedroom units.

The second hotel, Siji Hotel Apartments is located in the tranquil and beautiful city of Fujairah, and features 78 well-appointed apartments consisting of one-, two- and three-bedroom units.

Mr. Richard Riley, CEO, ADNH, said, “As one of the company’s most important assets, Al Diar Group has been performing exceptionally well since inception, reflecting the essence of its mother brand, ADNH, which has become an icon for excellent services, unique offerings, and the complete hospitality experience.”

“With strategic locations in Abu Dhabi, and now in Dubai and Fujairah, Al Diar Group will further raise the profile of ADNH as trend-setter brand with a forward-thinking strategy aimed to achieve long-term benefits for all its stakeholders. The two new hotels will capitalize on the success of both the ADNH and Al Diar brands in exceeding customer expectations,” Mr. Riley added.

On the future outlook of Al Diar Group, Mr. Riley said that the company plans to tap international markets such as Spain, India, and China, to take the brand experience to these important markets.

Recently, Al Diar Group opened the Cluster Sales & Marketing Office for Al Diar Hotels to provide a centralized sales and marketing approach for the brand. The Group has also welcomed some of the world’s celebrities. The cast of Euro Disney’s famous epic, Aladdin and Magic Lamp, opted for Al Diar Regency during their first visit to the Middle East to perform the play at the Central Theatre in Abu Dhabi.

In addition, pilots competing in the breathtaking Red Bull Challenge, held in Abu Dhabi, were hosted by Al Diar hotels.