Businesstraveller.com compiles stories from the lighter side of business travel. This week: De Vere Venues, Bartie Bristle Hotel and Spa, Langham Hotels, Ebbsfleet Station and Park Plaza.
Something in the air
Conference and meeting-space provider De Vere Venues is to offer delegates oxygen cannisters at its new Canary Wharf venue to combat the poor air-quality of inner-city London. A spokesperson said the oxygen will give a “kick start” to enable delegates to function at their best – it’s certainly a breath of fresh air for the meetings industry.
The bear necessities
Britain’s first “hotel and spa” for teddy bears has opened in the New Forest. For £80 arctophiles can treat their bears to a stay at the property (effectively a bear-repair and restoration service), including a pot of honey on arrival, a traditional picnic, full use of all resort facilities and souvenir photos to take home. Here at businesstraveller.com we can bearly believe it.
Sex and the (Welsh) City
The Park Plaza Cardiff is celebrating the launch of the Sex and the City movie by offering female guests the chance to transform into Carrie for the weekend. The “Sex and the City” package offers visitors a 25-minute Elemis facial, personal shopper at designer store Flannels and a Manhattan or Cosmopolitan cocktail. Unfortunately, the hotel can’t promise a Mr Big for every guest.
Time for tea
Langham Hotels is celebrating the anniversary of the opening of the Langham London on June 10, by offering afternoon tea at all of its properties at 1865 prices. That equates to one shilling six pence per guest, or around seven pence in today’s money. And they say the cost of living is rising.
Jockeying for position
The shortlist has been announced for the sculpture that will be erected by Eurostar’s Ebbsfleet station, with a 50-metre horse among the front runners. Other contenders include a tower of stacked cubes, a giant wing and a concrete cast of the inside of a house, but the equestrian giant looks odds-on to take the prize at a canter.
