Valentine's Day is nearly here and if you're looking at surprising your loved one with a romantic gesture, we've chosen some of the best places that you can celebrate in style! Enjoy... Cinema in the Palm House - Valentine's Special Independent Liverpool will be hosting two classic love stories over the romantic period in Sefton Park's Palm House. There will be two showings including Casablanca on the 13th February, followed by Romeo and Juliet on the 14th. Each night will provide entertainment, along with a Gin and Prosecco bar - and not to forget a range of delicious food from some of the best kitchens in Liverpool! Tickets are £12. Address: Sefton Park Palm House, Sefton Park, Liverpool, L17 1AP The Hard Days Night Hotel "All you need is love' this Valentine's Day at The Hard Days Night Hotel. Dine in the beautiful Blake's restaurant for £34.95 pp for a three-course meal, a glass of Prosecco and a gift for each couple. Or why not make a night of it? You can relax in one of the stunning Beatles inspired rooms that start from £85 and include a breakfast the next morning. Address: N John St, Liverpool L2 6RR Contact: 0151 236 1964 Make your own Gin If you fancy something different this Valentines, why not head to Manchester's Three Rivers Gin? You and your date will receive a guided tour on how it's made and its history. You'll then have the chance to make your own to take home. It's the perfect gift for those Gin lovers out there! Address: Manchester Three Rivers, 21 Red Bank Parade, Manchester, M4 4HF Contact: 0161 839 2667 Leasowe Castle Relax with your other half in the stunning Leasowe Castle this February. They have a number of exclusive offers on for guests which include a Valentine's Evening Menu for £75 that's made of a delicious seven courses. If you fancy a romantic break, you can book overnight to receive a meal and breakfast for two which will cost £250 on the 11th February or £220 on the 14th February. Address: Leasowe Road, Moreton CH46 3RF Contact: 0151 606 9191 The Mere Resort and Spa Whisk your other half away to the beautiful The Mere Resort for one of their special Valentine's Spa Packages. Opt for the Intimate Indulge for £89.00 per person to receive a glass of fizz, a 3 course lunch in the Spa lounge, a 55 minute massage lesson with a therapist, use of the spa and a gift per couple. If you're looking for luxury time together, treat yourself to the 'Time for us' package for a 55 minute massage, 3 course lunch and a Rasul Thermal Mud Heaven experience. For those looking for a sophisticated evening meal, be sure to discover the Valentine's Tasting Menu for £70.00 per person that's made up of a seven course gourmet dinner in Browns, complete with entertainment. Or book in during the day for an exclusive Valentine's Day Afternoon Tea for £24.95 per person. For the 'Ultimate Mere Valentine's Experience' for £295 per couple, you can receive prosecco, chocolates, a red rose, an overnight luxurious stay, use of the spa and a full-English breakfast in the morning. Address: Chester Rd, Mere, Knutsford WA16 6LJ Contact: 01565 830155 How will you be spending Valentine's Day? Let us know over at GB Hospitality! x
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The wedding season is well underway and brides around the country are attending numerous wedding fairs to find inspiration for their big day. It's an exciting time to visit stunning locations, sample some of the finest foods and note down decor ideas. It's also the perfect opportunity to speak to wedding professionals who can offer tips and advice on how they can make the day perfect. If you're going to be exhibiting at a wedding fayre, it's important that you engage with your potential customers and leave a lasting impression on them. By doing so, they'll want you to be involved with their big celebration. Here are our top six tips on how you can do so to ensure you get the most out of your next event... Consider the venue If you're heading to a classic, stately home to host an exhibition, you might find that their audience may be more traditional than one that's being held in a converted barn, for example. You should ensure that your tailoring and message is a right fit for the audience who you will meet during the day. People should love what you do, and if they aren't connecting with you then you should reconsider where you are hosting. Make your stall stand out Visiting wedding fairs can be quite a nerve-wracking experience for some people, especially if they’ve only just started attending events as they might not be sure on what to say or how much everything will cost. Make sure you greet guests who are passing by and encourage them to come and have a look round at what products you have available. Make sure you have lots of information and freebies explaining who are you, prices and any examples of your previous work. Be warm and friendly at all times and spend time getting to know them. Remember, it's more about your product, it's about your brand and the experience that is created. Business cards Your stand should have business cards that are handy for people to pick up as they pass by. Although it might seem obvious, make sure they contain all your contact details - from phone numbers, emails and most importantly links to your social channels so they can look at previous work and reviews. Collect information When possible, try and get as much information from those who spend time at your stall. You could offer them a discount or send any exclusive offers through them by emails or text. It's a great way to increase your client database but just be sure not to bombard them with to many follow up emails. Personalizing your outreach to them will go a long way in making them feel that their custom would be highly valued by you. Set goals It’s important to recognize that you might not make many sales on the day of the exhibition as some people might not be at the stage to commit to anything, but through speaking to them and following up with them, they are sure to remember you. You could set realistic goals in place on how many contacts you'll receive of how many future meetings you have planned with them. Prepare yourself Being on your feet all day can be quite tiring. Ensure you are in comfortable clothes, footwear and have plenty of water and food to have throughout the day as you probably won’t have time to have a break, especially if it’s busy. And although you might have a seat, try and avoid sitting down for too long as you want to look ready to showcase your products to those passing by. If you are recently engaged, there's an exciting pick of Wedding Fairs taking place across the North West. If you're looking for stunning locations for your special day, make sure you come along to these exclusive days... Tatton Wedding Fayre 'Bride the Wedding Show' is being hosted by Tatton from the 4th February - 5th February 2017. Here, they will be showcasing some of the latest wedding trends and spaces for brides and grooms to be. Both The Mere and The Stanneylands will be exhibiting here over the two days. Tickets are available to buy online here. Tweet us over at GBHospitality and share your wedding fayre experiences! Although alcohol is not often associated with a healthy lifestyle, there are certain spirits that have been scientifically proven to be good for us including our ultimate favourite, Gin! Believe it or not, years ago it was actually used as medicine and has since evolved into the drink we know and love today. So, if you're wondering whether you should that mid-week tipple, we've pulled together a few reasons why you should! Skin will improve Instead of spending money on expensive anti-aging creams, a glass of gin will give you all the goodness your skin needs. Gin is made with Juniper berries that are full of antioxidants that help restore your skin, keeping it fresh-looking youthful and wrinkle-free. It's diet friendly! As we all know, alcohol is one of the fastest and easiest ways to put weight on *sigh*. BUT, there is some good news...Gin has the least amount of calories in any alcoholic drink (yippee)! If you're watching what you eat and drink, you'll be fine sticking to a glass of Gin which only has around 100 calories in. It’s good for the digestive system Gin is made with herbs that help with the digestive enzymes allowing food to be broken down quicker, helping it improve digestion. And as it contains antioxidants it reduces that bloated feeling that comes on after a couple of drinks keeping your stomach flatter. Helps with illness Well seeing as it's practically a medicine, it's been noted as a great cure for bugs that we might pick up! Juniper berries are supposedly good for helping prevent chest problems in the lungs and coughs as the oil in them helps clean out mucus that might be lurking around. And apparently drinking Gin moderately will reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The ingredients within it have been proven to help with the inside of the body such as making your veins stronger and stopping your arteries being clogged. So there you have it...Gin really is good for us! Now if you're deciding what to have yours with, make sure you check out our gin cocktails post here. Valentine’s Day is the perfect chance to increase sales across the hospitality industry. People want to spend time with their loved ones, whether that's indulging them with a fabulous meal and exceptional wines or treating them to a cosy night away. If you’re looking at ways to increase footfall into your establishment, we've shared our top three tips that will help you with your approach for this romantic day! Run exclusive offers One of the most popular ways to attract the attention of new and existing customers is to put an exclusive Valentine's offer together. It could be a three course meal for two (with a glass of wine) or by making a romantic getaway extra special with a bottle of champagne and breakfast included within the price. For those of you that offer spa facilities, perhaps a dual treatment for some much needed couple time - what you do instead of reducing your rates, add value and create an experience not a product, throw extras in for your guests to go that extra mile. People remember the experience much more than how much they saved visiting and they'll be sure to spread the word. Don’t just run offers on Valentine's Day itself Although the 14th February will be your biggest day for sales, not everyone is free to celebrate it on the day itself. Some people may be in work or have other commitments so ensure that any offers you promote cover a couple of days either side of Valentine's Day to see steady sales across the month. Or why not looking at promoting the whole month of February as the month of ROMANCE! Leverage the power of social media An easy way to shout about how you'll be celebrating Valentine's Day is to promote across social media. Whether that's sharing pictures on Instagram, boosting posts on Facebook or sharing the deals across the companies LinkedIn pages, it's important that you reach out to as many different people as possible as your promotion could be exactly what they're looking for! Remember on these platforms its fabulous images are what sell so use them pre event and if you make the experience unique, your guests will do the marketing for you and create those instagold moments. If you're looking for somewhere to spend Valentine's Day this year, make sure you're following us over on Facebook and Twitter to see what deals are available across the North West! Booking a holiday or weekend away usually means saving up for that luxury hotel with perfect views. In some cases we might even push the boat out and upgrade to a superior room or pay for room service! For the millionaires and celebrities among us, they tend to check into the most amazing hotels, ones that we could only dream about staying in! If you feel like splashing the cash, we've pulled together some of the most expensive hotel suites and suites that you can stay in around the world... Hotel President Wilson - Geneva If you’re looking for the best views of Geneva, then you need to book into a room at the world’s most expensive hotel in the world, Hotel President Wilson. Here you can hire a 12-bedroom suite that takes up the whole eighth floor for a staggering £60,000 a night. It’s catered for numerous celebrities including Hollywood legends Michael Douglas and Matt Damon. Guests can eat, drink and bathe in luxury whilst taking in the most spectacular views over the stunning Lake Geneva and the Alps. For this price, guests will be waited on by their own personal butler and chef and not to forget your own personal security team! It has its own panic room and bullet proof windows which has allowed political leaders to relax here too. Hotel Plaza Athenee - Paris Paris, aka the City of Love, is the perfect destination for romantic strolls, gourmet dining and stunning architecture. If you’re looking at whisking your other half away, then why not book into the Hotel Plaza Athenee? It was built back in 1909 and remains one of the most famous Parisian hotels around. For £23,000 a night you can enjoy a four-room suite that's styled with traditional French Regency furniture. It overlooks the Eiffel Tower and comes with champagne to make the stay extra special. Hugh Hefner Sky Villa Palms Resort - Las Vegas Fancy a glimpse into the playboy world? Then book into Hugh Hefner's Sky Villa Palms Resort in Las Vegas. Hire the two bedroom pad for £30,000 a night for a rotating bed, a really large spa bath, a private bar, an indoor waterfall, a poker table and plenty of bunny-inspired paintings chosen by Hefner himself. It’s the ultimate party pad! Ritz-Carlton Suite - Moscow Russia is known for its extravagant builds and interior designs made of golds and whites. There are plenty of hotels across the country that offer rooms and suites that could make you think you’re on a movie set! One of the most expensive hotels within the capital Moscow is the 19th Century Ritz-Carlton Suite which offers an imperial Russian feel which can be booked for around £12,000 a night. Here, you’ll have views of the Red Square, the Kremlin and St. Basil's Cathedral. Not only that but the windows are from ceiling to floor, how amazing! For this cost, you’ll have your own private dining space, heated flooring and your own library for those cosy cold Russian nights. Ty Warner Penthouse Suite - New York If you’re heading to the Big Apple for a shopping spree, why not book into the luxurious Ty Warner Penthouse Suite? For £36,000 a night you'll enjoy a stunning 360 degree views of New York! You’ll be able to live like the stars...you’ll receive your own chauffeur, personal trainer and butler. New York, anyone? Tweet us and let us know your favourite most expensive hotel over on Twitter! The iconic Circo has been part of Liverpool’s nightlife for many years, hosting numerous shows and events for local guests and those visiting the city. The Circus theme venue has always been fantastic - and attracted plenty of attention from those passing by! As you may already be aware, it's recently relocated from its original home on the Albert Dock up to Seel Street - the heart of the bustling city centre! During this time, there's been a major refurbishment to really create something new and exclusive! If you're following Circo on social media, you may have already had a sneak peak of what the team are working on including their shows, performances and food - but they are doing a vey good job at keeping us all in suspense- which is all very exciting! Before the re-launch has even happened, it's already set to be of the most unique venues in North West and the team at GB Hospitality are delighted to be on board! While we can't reveal too much, we can share with you that they'll be hosting two spectacular dinner shows a week at 7pm and doors to the nightclub will open from 11pm. Circo have always been great influence on the Liverpool Nightlife scene and promise to continue to push the boundaries, taking plenty of inspiration from Coco Bongo and Cirque De Soleili within the style and performance. The re-opening is set for March 2017 and booking are well underway. We are so excited to reveal the new look, style and events. Whether you've experience Circo before or not, one thing's for sure...nothing will eve be the same again... To ensure you are part of the experience, book you tickets now on 015 709 0470 for £54.95. Share your Circo experiences with us on Twitter! x Gin is one of our favourite spirits here at GB Hospitality. We love it in cocktail form or topped with cold lemonade and plenty of ice. Although we tend to drink it quite a lot(!), we never really know exactly where and when it had originated from and how it’s been drank throughout the years, que this blog post!! T urns out it has quite an interesting history, one that we had to share with you. It was created in Holland Although Gin is one of the UK’s most popular drinks, it actually originated from Holland way back in the 17th Century - despite some arguing it came from Italy centuries before. What’s most surprising is that it started out as a medicine being sold across pharmacies to help with stomach pains. It was often mixed with Jenever to make it a little more bearable and Dutch soldiers would drink it before heading into battle, hence where the phrase ‘Dutch Courage’ comes from. The English soldiers saw this and began drinking it too! Soon enough it was brought back to the UK, distilled and enjoyed by many - especially the poor because it was so cheap. And it took 150 years to make it into the drink we all know and love today. When Gin first arrived in the U.K. in the 17th Century... There were 10 million gallons of it being made a year, and it quickly became one of the most popular choices of drinks- as other alcohol including wine and beer were just too expensive for ordinary people to afford. However, when the government realised just how much was being consumed, they decided to put a tax on it as birth rates were going up much more quickly than death rates!! This sent everyone into panic with many people seeking it from the 'Black Market' for a very reduced rate. In 1736, The Gin Act was put in place to make sure anyone selling would take out a licence for £50 (although this didn’t work)! However things did calm down when the beer bill was lifted, meaning everyone could enjoy a drink. Phew! Today Although it was a much more popular drink in the good old days, it's still a very common choice today. If you’re looking for the perfect gin cocktail recipe, discover our guide here! A couple of years ago, afternoon tea came back into fashion with hotels and restaurants across the UK rushing to lay on platters of freshly made and sandwiches that were accompanied with a glass of fizz or pot of tea for guests. However, fast forward to today and the 'traditional' concept of it has changed massively...and we love it! Chefs have been let loose with their artistic skills and started creating unique menus that replace cakes and scones with items such as chicken wings, mini burgers and nachos. We've picked some of the most unique afternoon teas around; check them out below! Punk Afternoon Tea If American-style food is for you, then you’ll love the Punk Afternoon tea at the Baltic Social in Liverpool. For £25 a head, you’ll be served a range of delicious food including mini burgers, spicy fries, hot dogs, pretzels finished with a chilled alcoholic beverage. It’s one the cities incredibly popular teas, so make sure if you’re planning a visit to book a table. Address: 27 Parliament St, Liverpool L8 5RN Phone: 0151 707 1137 Prohibition Tea Step back in time to the wonderful 1920s in the wonderful speakeasy, Quaglino’s. Indulge in classic foods including smoked salmon rosti, strawberry tarts, finished with a cocktail (or two)! Occasionally they have other themed teas on to, such as last year’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Tea. Address:16 Bury Street, London SW1Y 6AJ Phone: 020 7930 6767 Mad Hatter Afternoon Tea In 2016, The Sanderson scooped the award for the best afternoon themed tea, and it’s not hard to see why! For those Alice in Wonderland fans, or those who just fancy one of THE most amazing treats around, then book in for the Mad Hatter Afternoon Tea. Everything is themed, from the cutlery to the cakes which include the coffee flavoured pocket-watch macaroon! Address: 50 Berners St, London W1T 3NG Phone: 020 7300 1400 The Freaky Afternoon Tea Roll up, roll up and and come and feast your eyes on The Freaky Afternoon Tea at Circo - The Next Generation. One of Liverpool's most iconic venues has recently moved from its old home on the Albert Dock up to Seel Street and will be opening its doors this March. Address: Seel Street, Liverpool Phone: 0151 709 0470 Share with us your favourite Afternoon Tea! GB Hospitality x The hospitality industry is constantly changing and adapting new ways of working to ensure that guests have the best possible experience. Over the years, hospitality trends have come and go, and some have been a permanent fixture. Last year saw the increase of rented apartments from companies such as Airbnb following the high demand for a more localized travel trip. This year, the hotel industry is set to make some huge changes and we’ve explored some of the trends that we might encounter this year. The importance of storytelling To make a hotel stand out from competitors, many marketers are taking to storytelling to bring their venue to life. By using a range of marketing materials including video content, imagery and interactive tours, they are connecting with their audience on a more meaningful level. By injecting personality into their hotel allows guests to understand who they are and their offerings rather than having the same tone as every other leading establishment. It’s vital that it’s incorporated across the whole hotel, from menus to meetings rooms to give off the same message. Unique decor Staying overnight in a luxury hotel is no longer about a night away in a queen-sized bed and a fancy bathroom. Today’s visitors are looking for a exclusive experience that they’ll never forget. This has led to a rise in unique boutique hotels, such as Liverpool’s Hard Days Night Hotel who provide Beatles themed suites and Manchester’s Gotham Hotel. Although hotel design has always had a vital part, today it plays one of the biggest roles in the industry. The design of a hotel also offers guests the chance to establish if this is the right type of hotel for them to stay in! Increased loyalty programmes Although we are aware that loyalty programmes have been in place for many years, hotels should be focusing on their customers and retaining their business. Competition has increased, especially following the rise of cheap accommodation from Airbnb and deals from hotel booking agents. Social media Already a leading influencer in many guest decisions, social media is set to expand during 2017. It's a great chance for hotels to share with their audience events, offers and other visitors experiences at the hotel. Through social, guests can connect on a more personal level whether that's through following the latest Instagram story, or tagging themselves in on Facebook. The rise of mobile check-ins Mobile is leading the way when it comes to making travel plans, whether that’s booking flights, trains or hotel visits through them. Leading airlines across the world have already started allowing passengers to check in by using their mobile, replacing the need to check in and print off boarding cards. Hotels have also followed suit, making it much easier for guests to arrive and check in without any hassle, and check-out in the same way too. High-street hoteliers such as the Marriott have already introduced this scheme but we think 2017 that will be the year when it will plummet vastly. Although these are our predictions for 2017, we are very excited to see what others trends might be introduced to us working in the hospitality industry this year! What do you think will be one of the biggest trends of 2017? Let us know! GB Hospitality x As you may know already, here at team GB Hospitality we are very fond of Gin. And with it still being Ginuary, we thought we’d share with you are top pick of Gin parlours from across the UK. Whether you’re looking for a traditional, old-fashioned bar or the hottest place to hit the city, we are sure you'll find something you like. Fogg’s Gin Parlour, London In the heart of Covent Garden, you’ll find one of London’s most unique Gin bars around, Fogg’s Gin Parlour. For those who are keen to step back in time, then this is a must! Guests are greeted by its ‘front of house’ suitably theme in a tweed waistcoat and moustache who leads them through into the themed bar, which offers up to 300 different types of Gin. They have an endless cocktail menu, with the bar staff on hand to offer advice on trying something new. Throughout the week, they offer a range of offers from G&T Saturdays, Gin Safari and Cream Cakes and Cocktails. As you can imagine, this place gets full quickly so we’d recommend making a reservation! Find it here: 1 New Row, Covent Garden, WC2N 4EA Atlas Bar, Manchester For those looking for a more modern edge parlour, then head to Manchester’s Atlas Bar. Here, you can sample 300 different types of Gin while taking in some of the stunning views from the city. As part of their new year’s resolution, they’ve promised to introduce a new gin each week to their menu (we can hear Gin lovers rejoicing around the world)! As it’s so popular, they’ve now set up a store, The Gin Bible, where you can find out more about your drinks, the latest recipes and buy your favourite drink online. Amazing! Find it here: 376 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 4LY The Jekyll And Hyde Gin Parlour, Birmingham Step back into the Victorian Era in Birmingham's finest Gin Parlour. Visitors wanting to relax in the parlour must take the staircase where they’ll be escorted back in time. Here you’ll find a selection of 90 gins from across the world. It’s split into two parts (obviously) with one being Mr Hyde’s Main Bar and Dr. Jeryll's Gin Parlour. They offer freshly made food here - all with a cool vintage menu. Find it here: 28 Steelhouse Ln, City Centre, Birmingham, B4 6BJ What’s your favourite gin parlour? Tweet us over at GB Hospitality and let us know! x |
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