You have helped to give us a very enjoyable quarter, giving us the opportunity to make a variety of interesting and successful bookings, on your behalf, using over 200 different hotels, 27 of which were outside the UK. We have helped with nearly 100 meetings and conferences and made over 200 accommodation bookings. Three of our top hotels were the Chateau du Lac in Belgium, the Millennium Stuttgart, and Marriott Forest of Arden. The Marriott Grosvenor House in London and St David’s Spa in Cardiff have also proved to be very popular venues.
Have you ever wanted to walk in the footsteps of the stars?
With the Cannes Film Festival drawing to a close for this year we wondered if the films of the year would inspire some of our clients when booking their next venue. Perhaps a conference in Paris - the setting for much of the Da Vinci Code? You could try the Grand Intercontinental, Paris, or perhaps Cannes itself, with beautiful hotels such as Le Martinez or The Intercontinental Carlton.
Internet Bookings – The big debate?
Following a recent article in the Caterer and
Hotelkeeper magazine we ask – does it make
sense to book venues via the internet?
Yes, you can ‘cut out the middle man’ and fill in the
forms yourself but what is it really costing you?
Costs can be inflated by up to 30%.
Prices quoted are often Excluding VAT and are
limited to Room only making the rate appear cheaper when total spend is often higher.
Rooms often can not be cancelled.
Internet bookings often receive last available rooms as there is no loyalty to the booker.
Is this the best option?
SB Nexus negotiate the best rate for you, get you the best available rooms and clearly show you the venues cancellation policy.
Why?
Because we offer a ‘real person’ service with staff you know and trust who have years of experience and personal knowledge of the venues, who will give you impartial advice and do all they can to get the best deal for you.
Fancy something a little different?
The team, at SB Nexus, have had the opportunity to book several unusual venues this quarter. They all offer excellent service and the full range of facilities but also have something a little different!
The Royal Armouries in Leeds offers a stunning combination of history and modern technology. With 12 private rooms to choose from, offering facilities for anything from private dinning for 16 people to a reception/buffet for 1000, you are spoilt for choice.
They also offer themed events including a Caribbean Evening or a Christmas Carnival. The Royal Armouries has been host to the BNI and recently saw a presentation from Tony Blair to the Leeds Chamber of Commerce.
Or the Malmaison in Oxford - once a prison now a sophisticated hotel? Ideal for more intimate meetings they offer all the latest gadgetry with free broadband.
Dine in the restaurant or in a private room then spend the night in the uncompromisingly stylish ‘cells’ with original doors and bars or rest easily in the governor’s old house in a sumptuous 4 poster bed.
And if you really want to punish yourself they do have a gym!
Or try the Kempinski Estepona in Spain? Offering Peaceful and refined luxury with 45,000 sqm of tropical gardens.
Positioned directly on a picturesque beach, making a beach BBQ a must and how about a flamenco show to ensure a red hot conference.
Future events
As we start to think about our autumn bookings (and dare I mention Christmas?). So here are a few other ideas which you might like to consider. A medieval banquet in the historic Warwick Castle, a boating conference from the Swan at Streatley or a team building cookery event or wine tasting at the Manoir aux Quatre Saisons in Oxford (with Raymond Blanc chef patron).
Trying something new needn’t cost a fortune. Let us do the negotiation and find out what value for money really means.
Don’t forget whatever you are looking for whether it is accommodation, meetings or conferences, AGMs, seminars or staff events talk to us first. We will track down the right venue at the right price and take out the stress of Venue Finding.
Finally, don't forget...
...to contact us at SB Nexus and let us help
make sure that your next event is one to remember.
