Tea Break

Celebrate and save this summer with Hotel Indigo York

Superior Room at Hotel Indigo York Celebrate the best of British summertime with a long weekend break in York and stay at the Hotel Indigo York. The interiors of this boutique 101-bedroom hotel are inspired by York's chocolate heritage and feature en-suite SPA inspired bathrooms with rainfall showers and complimentary fridges containing water and chocolates. Whether you are a festival goer, chocoholic, pub hopper or a horse racing fanatic there is something for everyone. Be inspired and book your stay at the Hotel Indigo York  and  enjoy the best events of the summer in the city: The Yorkshire Fringe Festival, 15 July – 1 August 2016: The festival boasts the best in comedy, cabaret, theatre and music. New for this year is the pop up Gillygate Shed venue located within The Gillygate Pub's garden which will be hosting a series of comedy acts including Dominic Frisby from Moneyweek. Chocolate Model Making, available on selected dates until the 30 September 2016: Immerse yourself in the city's chocolate heritage with a Chocolate Model Making workshop at York's Cocoa House. Make it a trip to remember by creating of your own chocolate masterpiece decorated with edible chocolate paints and sweets. York Guided Historic Pub Walk, available until September 2016:Experience some of York's best pubs as part of a two-hour guided walk of the city while discovering the history of the local beers and culture. The Ebor Festival, 17- 20 August 2016: Horse racing fans visiting York this summer should coincide their visit with the Ebor Festival, one of the oldest, richest and most famous races. Enjoy four days of fun, fashion and sporting excellence. Festival highlights include Ladies Day which takes place on the Thursday followed by The Betfred Ebor on the final day. Rooms start from £115 B&B per room per night. Alternatively sign up for free to the IHG Rewards Club and book before the 31 August to save 20% or more on stays before the 7 September 2016.    

East Meets Wembley: Jay Kumar, Dance Star, brings Bollywood to the Asian Wedding Showcase

Jay Kumar, renowned choreographer from BBC’s Don’t Tell the Bride and Bollywood dancer, gives an exclusive dance demonstration.

Jay Kumar gives an exclusive dance demonstration.

Newly engaged couples gathered for a day of inspiration at the recently refurbished Empire Suite at Holiday Inn London – Wembley for the venue’s first Asian Wedding Showcase.   Brides to be enjoyed an exclusive dance demonstration by renowned choreographer from BBC’s Don’t Tell the Bride and Bollywood dancer, Jay Kumar. The performance followed an enchanted forest inspired catwalk featuring some of the UK’s top Asian wedding designers including: Esha’s Collections and Nikaza Akshay. The flowers were sponsored by Uniflora.   Visitors sampled a selection of mouth-watering eastern inspired canapés created by the hotel’s in-house Asian chef. A twist on the quintessentially British afternoon tea, a High Chai Tea was also served in the restaurant.   Organised by Ishaara, the Asian Wedding Showcase offered brides to be the opportunity to meet with a range of wedding specialists all under one roof. Exhibitor highlights included:  Hobs Salons, HS Photograph and RV sounds amongst others.   The Empire Suite is licensed for civil ceremonies providing a striking space, complete with sparkling chandeliers and fashionable décor. The hotel offers the perfect ambiance for your wedding or special occasion with facilities to accommodate up to 500 guests. Holiday Inn London – Wembley is part of Splendid Hospitality Group. Click here for more information.  

Splendid Hospitality Group adds Leeds boutique hotel to portfolio

The Splendid Hospitality Group has started 2016 by adding the hip boutique hotel the New Ellington Leeds to its growing portfolio.
The Splendid Hospitality Group has started 2016 by adding the hip boutique hotel the New Ellington Leeds to its growing portfolio.

The Splendid Hospitality Group has started 2016 by adding the hip boutique hotel the New Ellington Leeds to its growing portfolio.

  Stuart Bailey, CEO for the Splendid Hospitality Group says: “We are delighted to acquire the New Ellington Hotel which enhances our existing collection, giving us a stronger accommodation proposition in the region. This boutique hotel is ideally located for both the business and leisure traveller and we look forward to welcoming guests to the hotel.” Located in the heart of Leeds financial district, the hotel is named after Duke Ellington who played at the Leeds music festival back in 1958. The chic, art deco inspired hotel boasts 34 sumptuous, individually designed rooms. There are two contemporary conference rooms accommodating up to 30 guests and a popular bar called the Gin Garden, serving a variety of different gins. The expanding Splendid Hospitality Group portfolio has 18 hotels and in Yorkshire includes the Holiday Inn Express Leeds East, Hotel Indigo York, Holiday Inn Express York and Yorkshire’s only 5 star hotel the Grand Hotel and Spa York. In London they own and manage two prestigious hotels the Conrad London St James and the newly opened Hilton London Bankside.  

FIRST NON-STOP SERVICE FROM STANSTED AIRPORT TO CENTRAL LONDON KINGS CROSS

Stansted Citylink

Stansted Citylink launches first direct service to London Kings Cross St Pancras

ComfortDelGro Corporation has launched the first, direct, non-stop express coach service connecting Stansted Airport with Kings Cross St Pancras, a new destination in London. The concession to operate into and out of the Airport’s central Coach Station was won following a competitive tendering process run by Stansted Airport. Branded ‘Stansted Citylink’, the service commenced on 11 October 2015. Adult tickets are priced at £10 one way or £17 return and are on sale online at www.stanstedcitylink.com. The Coach Station is a short covered walk into the Airport Terminal. The year round service will operate 24 hours a day, at mostly half hourly intervals. Journey time is expected to average around 70 minutes, depending on traffic, and drivers will be able to vary their routes to ensure the fastest arrival time, including making use of bus lanes. Jaspal Singh, CEO ComfortDelGro (UK and Ireland) said: “We are excited to be working in the hub of London’s fastest growing airport where 50% of travellers currently travel to and from the airport on public transport. Working closely with Stansted Airport we will offer a high quality express coach service that is reliable and affordable.” Stansted Citylink will be operating a high quality fleet of new 51 seater Mercedes Tourismo coaches, which will be easily recognisable with their distinctive blue and yellow branding. Friendly and knowledgeable staff will be on hand to help customers load and unload their luggage. Passengers will travel in comfort, enjoying ample legroom, free Wi-Fi and informative videos. There will also be disabled access and a toilet on board. The London Kings Cross St Pancras terminal will be located at St Pancras International station (Midland Road, Bus Stop S), within walking distance of London’s busiest main line train terminals and six underground train lines as well as numerous bus routes. The route will be operated by ComfortDelGro, one of the world’s largest land transport companies operating in seven countries. In London it operates with 1,700 red buses, while their Citylink scheduled coach services are already market leaders in Scotland and Ireland. For travel press enquries contact adhoc pr on 0207 433 0355 or email Lisa - firstname@adhocpr.com  

Hotel Indigo® opens in historic city of York

Superior Room at Hotel Indigo York InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG®), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, today brings its boutique, Hotel Indigo®, to the historic city of York. Hotel Indigo® York opens its doors on Walmgate, a thriving foodie destination and the birthplace of York’s chocolate making empire. The intimate 101 room hotel is perfectly situated within prime reach of some of the city’s most outstanding restaurants and bars, boutiques, artisan shops, famous tea-rooms, museums and galleries. From the building design to the hotel’s artwork and locally-inspired menus, every Hotel Indigo property is unique and takes influences from its surrounding neighbourhood. Celebrating the true flavours and locality of Yorkshire, Hotel Indigo York has partnered with the award winning Yorkshire Meatball Co. — one of the UK’s only speciality meatball restaurants, offering guests delicious and unique dishes using the tastiest local produce. The restaurant serves meat, fish, vegetarian and sweet balls all hand-rolled in-house as well as a wide selection of Yorkshire craft beers. Hotel Indigo York will also be working with York's Chocolate Story providing leisure packages to offer visitors a real taste of York’s chocolate heritage on their guided chocolate tours. Mike Sweeting, Hotel Manager, Hotel Indigo York commented: “The neighbourhood of Walmgate provides the perfect base for exploring York’s rich cultural heritage. With our chocolate inspired décor and emphasis on real local flavours we are ready to give guests an authentic Yorkshire welcome.” At Hotel Indigo York, design nuances echo the neighbourhood’s cultural charm and have been woven throughout the hotel to create eye-catching décor. Interiors hint at Walmgate’s chocolate heritage, including Rowntrees (the famous English confectioner started life in this neighbourhood in 1725).  Centre stage on the ground floor is a red brick feature wall, influenced by the architecture of Walmgate which has been admired over the centuries by visitors to York. Tom Rowntree, IHG’s Vice President for Hotel Indigo, Europe said: “We’re enormously proud to be opening our first Hotel Indigo property in York. Hotel Indigo provides a refreshingly local experience for guests through stylish design, locations in unique and culturally-rich neighbourhoods, topped off with intimate, personalised service. We’re the place to discover something new and feel inspired whether you’re a local, or a visitor travelling for business or leisure.” Shiraz Boghani, Chairman of Splendid Hospitality Group said: “We are delighted to be opening our third hotel in York.  There are over 30 visitor attractions in York and it is a testament to how hard York works as a City that there is something to appeal to everybody who visits.“ For organised press visits - contact us or tweet us @adhocpr  

Splendid Hospitality Group appoints James Clarke as General Manager for Hilton London Bankside

James ClarkeThe Splendid Hospitality Group has appointed James Clarke as General Manager for the new Hilton London Bankside hotel which is set to open this summer. James brings with him over 20 years of experience within the hospitality industry and joins from the London Hilton on Park Lane where he was Director of Operations.

James Clarke, General Manager of the Hilton London Bankside Hotel says: “I am thrilled to be playing a pivotal role in opening the Hilton London Bankside.  The construction phase is always interesting but I can’t wait to be checking in our first guests at the end of the summer.” Stuart Bailey, CEO of Splendid Hospitality Group says: “We are delighted to have James on board to manage Hilton London Bankside which is an exciting new addition to our portfolio. With 292 stylishly decorated rooms, it will be one of the largest hotels within the Splendid Hospitality Group. James also brings with him a good understanding of the Hilton ethos.” James studied in both the UK and USA and one of his prestigious early jobs included working at the Waldorf Astoria in New York as Director of Room Service and Hospitality Operations. Always striving for the best throughout his career, James has been recognised with two Hotel Cateys while at the Grosvenor House Hotel; the UK Conference and Banqueting Department of the Year 2009 and Food & Beverage Manager of the Year in 2010. More recently James was acknowledged for his work at Hilton scooping both Hotel of the Year Award and Director of Operations of the Year in 2013. Last year he was awarded a scholarship by the Master Innholders to complete a General Manager Programme at Cornell University in the USA. When not running the hotel James can be found tucked away in one of the City’s many museums or reading about history. He is a passionate foodie and enjoys sampling the latest restaurants and spotting the latest gastronomic trends.  James loves to burn off any remaining energy with a good game of rugby. The Hilton London Bankside hotel, located close to the Shard, Tate Modern and Borough Market is in the heart of London’s newest destination dedicated to all things art and food.  The hotel’s sumptuous Ballroom will have all the very latest high tech facilities and will be one of the larger venues in London hosting up to 750 guests. To find out more visit:  www.splendidhospitality.co.uk  

Hotel Indigo York gets balls!

Hotel Indigo York and TheYMCo. 2The Yorkshire Meatball Co., has signed a new franchise agreement, worth over £100,000 over two years, with Splendid Hospitality Group to open York’s first speciality meatball restaurant at Hotel Indigo York, Walmgate which will open this summer.

Located in Walmgate’s growing foodie community, the 70-cover restaurant will be the first franchise deal and the second outlet for the multi-award-winning meatball company since launching its first outlet in Harrogate in March 2014.

Stuart Bailey, CEO of Splendid Hospitality Group says: “We are delighted to have TheYorkshire Meatball Co. on board.  We’re passionate about promoting Yorkshire and the local story at Hotel Indigo York, and we can now showcase some truly unique flavours of Yorkshire as our dining concept.  Both local residents and hotel guests will be able to enjoy this quirky and friendly Yorkshire dining experience, 7 days a week.”

“Bringing our ‘Balls’ to York is an exciting move for us,” says David Atkinson, Managing Director of The Yorkshire Meatball Co. “There has been huge demand from our existing customers to open up a branch in York so we are delighted to be on board with Splendid Hospitality Group to facilitate this move and help us reach a wider audience.”

“We have enjoyed huge success in Harrogate to date, where we have served over 85,000 Balls to more than 28,000 customers since opening just over a year ago. We are excited to be spreading our concept to the local residents and visitors to the Walmgate area which is making its mark as a foodie destination for the city, as well as to the domestic and international traveller market who are attracted to this famous city of York.”

The Yorkshire Meatball Co. is the UK’s only speciality Meatball Restaurant, leading the fight against average, tasteless meatballs.  Balls are hand-rolled in the kitchen using only the freshest and tastiest locally sourced produce. Customers can choose from meaty Balls, fish Balls and veggie Balls – smothered in warming Blankets (sauce), served on a fresh Bed (side) of your choice and washed down with a bottle of locally-sourced craft Yorkshire beer, wine or soft drink. What’s more; the majority of our Ball-shaped goodies are, or can be made, Gluten-Free, so there really is plenty of choice for everyone.

Hotel Indigo York is set to open summer 2015. The Yorkshire Meatball Co. will be open 7 days a week from 12 noon until 10pm for both local residents and guests to the hotel to enjoy.

Kings Cross hotel on top of the world

We visited the team at Comfort Inn St Pancras - Kings Cross last week... The hotel has been shortlisted for the ‘Comfort International Hotel of the Year’ award by Choice Hotels International, competing against over 30 hotels worldwide including: Japan, India, Scandinavia and Italy. The results will be announced at an awards ceremony in Las Vegas next month. Good Luck! www.comfortinnkingscross.co.uk  

Easter hatches early at adhoc pr

We had fun collecting a life size chocolate egg from York Cocoa House yesterday for a photo shoot with newly appointed Hotel Manager, Michael Sweeting as he prepares for the much anticipated hatching of the Hotel Indigo York this summer.  Every Indigo branded hotel has a theme which is inspired by its location.  Imagine our delight when we discovered York’s chocolate heritage. Sophie Jewett from York Cocoa House is a fountain of chocolate knowledge and was a treat to work with . Hotel Indigo York hatching

BMA House Wedding Fair

BMA House Weddings For newly engaged couples and friends, BMA House is welcoming people in to discover this historic Grade II listed building in Bloomsbury and meet some of London’s finest wedding suppliers on Sunday 29 March between 12 noon and 4pm London WC1H 9JP. Sample canapés and Pomegranate Prosecco in enchanting Great Hall and meet London’s finest wedding suppliers from haute couture bridal designers, divine cake makers to magnificent florists wedding photographers and live entertainment. Dressed in real wedding decor, visitors will be guided around the venue’s four licenced rooms by the BMA House dedicated Wedding Planning team, stopping off to admire the two outdoor spaces: the garden and courtyard. Enjoy a spectacular bridal catwalk show and put your creativity to the test a range of cake and flower workshops. Admission is free, register www.bmahouseweddingfair.co.uk Follow on Facebook page www.facebook.com/bmahouseweddingvenue Follow on Twitter @bmahousevenue For further information on the Wedding Fair or to make an enquiry please visit: www.bmahouseweddingfair.co.uk or call: 020 7993 5273 / 0777 283 2628 Wedding Fairs

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