Businesstraveller.com compiles this week's stories from the lighter side of business travel.
Ready steady cook
The Hilton London Docklands is offering delegates the chance to pit their cooking skills against each other in team-building contests to prepare a three-course meal. Groups are given expert advice by chefs at the hotel, with meals being marked on presentation and flavour, before guests then sit down to eat their well-earned creations. Ideal for budding Jamie Olivers out there, although the hotel baulks at the idea of any “naked chefs”.
The science of sleep
Checking emails before you go to bed has the same effect as drinking a double espresso, according to hotel group Crowne Plaza. The chain has employed sleep expert Dr Chris Idzikowski to identify the five things that aid a good night’s kip (quiet, complete darkness, cool temperature and daytime exercise), and the five that will keep you up all night (alcohol, caffeine, TV, late-night eating and the use of electronic devices one hour before bed). Personally, I think TV can be great for sending me to sleep, particularly if I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here is on.
Picture perfect
The Intercontinental London Park Lane is offering meeting and conference organisers the chance to have a painting made to commemorate their event by artist-in-residence Jeremy Houghton. For £1,500 Jeremy will work closely with the event team to ensure the theme and atmosphere of the occasion is captured. So if your company is holding its Christmas do at the hotel – beware – any office-party indiscretions may just be captured on canvas forever.
Who wants to be a millionaire?
The Rome Cavalieri Hilton has designed the ultimate in wedding packages for its guests, although it will set the lucky couple back a hefty US$1 million. Luxuries include a private jet for the bride and groom, the hotel’s 250 sqm penthouse suite, handwritten invitations, executive rooms, private butlers and spa treatments for up to 50 guests, a seven-course meal and wedding cake prepared by triple Michelin-starred chef Heinz Beck, and a firework display to end the event. And they say you can’t buy love.
Lighten up
Those of you who grew up wanting to be astronauts might want to experience the ultimate in air travel with Zero Gravity Corp. For just US$3,675 (£1,816) customers are taken up in a Boeing 727-200, to experience 30-second bursts of zero-gravity weightlessness by a combination of steep climbs and dives. You can catch the ride of your life above Las Vegas or Florida’s Kennedy Space Center – just be careful what you eat beforehand, as they don’t call it the “vomit comet” for nothing. Visit gozerog.com for more information.
Mark Caswell
