2017 Edition 21
HAUNTED HOTELS: FOR LEgends & late night whispers
Birmingham High on the agenda for business & leisure Discover space & comfort in
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CONTENTS
Inside Cover: Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth
Chef’s Corner
Haunted HOTELS
Things that go bump in the night!
14
ed Servicm s t n e t r a Ap
A Postcard from
12 16 24 Birmingham
4 5 6 7 8
The Guest Book
Dates for the Diary Gainsborough House Hotel Kenilworth Hotel Granary Hotel & Conference Centre
9 10 12 14 16
Osborne House Hotel
Infotel Business Haunted Hotels
Chef’s Corner A Postcard from Birmingham
20 21 22 24 32
Mercure Leicester The Grand Hotel Bell at Boxford
Infotel Special Offers Serviced Apartments Upham Group
3
Partner properties ready to welcome you
The Guest Book
Maypole at Wellow
Countryman Inn
Moxy Aberdeen Airport
Covenanters Inn
The Dabbling Duck
Macy’s Hotel
Moxy London Excel
Brackenborough Hotel
Kings Arms Brentford
Nottinghamshire
Inverness-shire
London
4
Dorset
Norfolk
Lincolnshire
Aberdeenshire
London
Greater London
DATES FOR THE DIARY
What’s On?
OCTOBER 2017
Hertford Food & Drink Festival 6 - 8 October Hertford >>
Who?
Cheltenham Literature Festival 6 - 15 October Cheltenham >> Tiny Rebel Newport Food & Drink Festival 7 October Newport, Wales >>
Birmingham Comedy Festival 6 - 15 October Birmingham >> Robin Hood Beer & Cider Festival 2017 11 - 14 October Nottingham >>
Where?
Melton Mowbray Food Festival 7 & 8 October Melton Mowbray >>
When? Lincoln Sausage Festival 14 October Lincoln >>
Halifax Comedy Festival 20 - 28 October Halifax >> Juice Festival 20 - 28 October Newcastle >>
Harry Potter: A History of Magic at the British Library from 20 October London >> 5
Gainsborough House Hotel Kidderminster, Worcestershire DY11 6BS
From
£74
01775 843413
Lines open Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 5.30pm
The Gainsborough House Hotel is a listed Georgian house situated in the beautiful county of Worcestershire. Contemporary and luxurious guestrooms with air-conditioning and complimentary WiFi, Freeview TV, toiletries and tea and coffee making facilities are available in a range of rooms including family, queen and a four-poster feature suite. Continental and full English breakfast is served in the restaurant, which is also open from 6.30pm - 9.30pm Monday to Saturday for an evening dining experience serving local and seasonal produce. Unwind in the bar and lounge with its period fireplace, natural features and a twist of Tuscan styling!
130 Spaces On-site
6
FREE WiFi
Restaurant
Bar
Weddings CCTV & 24hr Check In 2.00pm Reception
Check Out 11.00am
“Excellent rooms, quality service, very cheerful and helpful staff. Good food. Recommend.”
Taken from a recent Trip Advisor review.
Kenilworth Hotel
Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear NE2 2AL
From
£48
£60
01775 843413
Lines open Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 5.30pm
Conveniently located less than a mile from Newcastle City Centre, 15 minutes from St. James’ Park and a short metro ride from the historic and vibrant Quayside, the family run, friendly Kenilworth Hotel offers comfortable, modern bedrooms and good food. All guestrooms have tea and coffee making facilities, Freeview TV and DVD players and free WiFi. Breakfast is served in the restaurant with the Ru Bar available for evening drinks and a grill menu of gourmet burgers, snacks and main meals. There is a private, free car park at the back of the hotel. Cafe culture and al fresco dining in the surrounding area is popular.
11 Spaces On-site
FREE WiFi
Restaurant & Catering
Bar
Wedding Receptions
Luggage CCTV & 24hr Check In Reception 1.00pm Storage
Check Out 10.30am
“Check-in was smooth and friendly and our room was large and clean.” Taken from a Trip Advisor review.
7
Granary Hotel & Conference Centre Daventry, Northamptonshire NN11 3BU
From
£90
01775 843413
Lines open Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 5.30pm
Rustic charm meets contemporary comfort in this independent country hotel on the Fawsley Estate in Northamptonshire. Twin, double and family rooms are individually styled, beautifully appointed and full of character. A DVD player, flat screen TV, WiFi and a tea and coffee maker are included. The Granary’s Tea Room and Restaurant offers traditional and delicious dishes, including a tempting three tier afternoon tea! Artisan and local produce forms the foundation of the menu and service is warm and friendly.
50 Spaces On-site
8
FREE WiFi
Restaurant & Catering
Bar
Weddings
Parties
Check In 2.00pm
Check Out 11.00am
“The staff were very friendly and the food was excellent. Our room was large, clean and had lots of storage space.” Taken from a recent Trip Advisor review.
Osborne House Hotel Blackpool, Lancashire FY1 4BP
“The biggest selling point was the staff who were quick to provide local knowledge, helpful advice and share more than a bit of banter with our party!” Taken from a Trip Advisor review.
In the heart of Blackpool and convenient for the Winter Gardens, Grand Theatre and Blackpool Tower, the recently refurbished Osborne House Hotel has a total of 21 guest rooms with 14 offering en-suite facilities. Free WiFi, Freeview TV and a hospitality tray are available in each room and there is also allocated free parking on a limited basis. A tasty full English breakfast starts the day with evening meals available via prior arrangement. The modern bar area is stocked with a good selection of wines, spirits, draught beers and soft drinks and also serves bar snacks if guests are peckish.
From
5 Spaces On-site
FREE WiFi
Catering
Bar
Tea & Coffee Facilities
Games Room
Check In 2.00pm
Check Out 12.00am
£35
01775 843413
Lines open Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 5.30pm
9
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Ready to book? 01775 843413 Lines open Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 5.30pm
Where will your work take you this month? ABERDEEN 317 properties
GLASGOW 438 properties
LIVERPOOL 334 properties
PETERBOROUGH 422 properties
COLCHESTER 267 properties
TELFORD
379 properties
PLYMOUTH 425 properties
WORTHING 482 properties
The best rooms at the best rates, sourced by the best accommodation specialists. 11
Things that go bump in the night! Trick or treat, an eerie encounter or ghostly goings on! Halloween is coming and only the bravest dare to spend 31 October in one of these haunted hotels!
Will you bump into the murdered village teenager and her killer? West Country Inn Bideford
Room number four for a reflective lady! If you’re in the bar and you think someone is watching you, they probably are! Edenhall Country Hotel Penrith
The marching of long-dead Roman soldiers can be heard through the floorboards!
The ghost of a small boy, a hooded monk and a former chambermaid could be keeping you company!
Victorian maids, monks and mysterious entities are regularly spotted at this Tudor manor house!
The spirit of highway man Claude Du Vall frequents room number 3 but you can see him and hear his horse elsewhere in the hotel!
George & Dragon Chester
Mercure Telford Madeley Court Hotel Telford
Brook Red Lion Hotel Colchester
Holt Hotel Steeple Aston
Lanterns, legends and late night shadows set the spooky scene for a walk where the wicked and the whispers are recounted!
Stratford Town Ghost Walk Accurate and authentic Murder and misery exploration of folklore, with ghosts and legends and dreams! witches which will leave you scared to Combine with a go home alone! night in the Feathers Sleep with ghosts Hotel for a spine and see floating tingling stay. objects when you spend the night at Ettington Park Hotel.
Experience the Whitby Ghost Walk for shipwrecks, sailors, superstitions and the supernatural who scream for attention! Choose a Yorkshire stop over.
The Canterbury Ghost Tour
History, humour and hauntings with award-winning ghost hunter John Hippisley. Four spirits, including a jilted bride, await guests at The Old Gate.
Only the bravest take the Lincoln Prison Ghost Hunt! Fear factor reigns with time in the Punishment Cell! Stay here if you dare!
Nothing says Halloween more than pumpkins and squashes and following a bumper crop of butternut squash from our vegetable garden at Infotel Solutions Ltd, we went on the search for an easy and delicious dish to make the most of this flavoursome autumnal favourite. Bestselling author of seven cookbooks, food stylist, cook and TV presenter Jo Pratt answered our plea and shared a recipe from her new book The Flexible Vegetarian. She told us: “This is a regular in my house and I’ll often make double the amount of curry paste and keep it in a jar in the fridge for future quick-prep suppers. The squash, red pepper and courgette provide fabulous colour, and the added split red lentils result in a thick sauce that’s nutritionally balanced.”
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Next time you’re at Heathrow Airport Terminal 2, visit The Gorgeous Kitchen; a collaboration between Jo and renowned British chefs Sophie Michell, Gee Charman and Caroline Mili Artiss. A menu of lighter dishes as well as traditional British fare created using fresh, seasonal produce gets a traveller’s journey off to the best start! For more of Jo’s recipes visit her website Click here >>
Chef’s Corner
Malaysian squash and courgette rendang with red lentils Time: 40 minutes Serves: 4
Ingredients Olive oil 8–10 cardamom pods, crushed 1 cinnamon stick ½ tsp whole cloves 3 kaffir lime leaves, torn into quarters 1 butternut squash, peeled and cut into 3-4cm/1¼-1½ inch chunks 1 red (bell) pepper, deseeded and cut into 2-3cm/ ¾-1¼ inch chunks
For the spice paste 150g/7 oz red split lentils 400ml/14 fl oz tin coconut milk 400ml/14 fl oz/1 2 ⁄ 3 cups vegetable stock Handful coconut flakes 1 tbsp agave or maple syrup 2 medium courgettes (zucchini), cut into 2-3cm/ ¾-1¼ inch chunks Flaked sea salt Lime wedges, to serve
Method To make the spice paste, put all the ingredients into a small food processor or blender and blitz to form a smooth paste. Set aside or keep covered in the fridge for up to 1 week. Heat the oil in a wok or large frying pan. Add the paste and fry for a minute or so. Add the cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, cloves and lime leaves. Fry for a further minute, then add the butternut squash, red pepper and lentils. Stir around to coat in the paste, then pour in the coconut milk and stock. Bring to a simmer, cover with a lid and cook for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, heat a small dry frying pan over a medium heat. Add the coconut flakes and agave/maple syrup, and toss around in the pan until golden and crisp. Remove from the heat.
4 shallots, peeled and roughly chopped 4 cloves garlic, peeled 1 stalk lemongrass, roughly chopped 2½cm/1 inch piece ginger, peeled and roughly chopped 2½cm/1 inch piece galangal, peeled and roughly chopped 1 tsp turmeric 2 long red chillies, roughly chopped 1 tbsp tamarind paste 1 tbsp sunflower or groundnut oil 1 tsp flaked sea salt
Stir the courgette into the curry. Return to a simmer and continue to cook, with the lid off, for a further 10 minutes. Season with salt to taste. Serve the curry in bowls and scatter over the coconut. Serve with lime to squeeze over.
Flexible The spice paste can be used in the same way to make a chicken rendang. Swap the squash, lentils and courgette for 4 large chicken breasts (cut into chunks) and cook. You won’t need to use the vegetable stock as this is only needed when using lentils. Reduce the simmering time to just 10 minutes in total, rather than 20 minutes. If you fancy adding a vegetable such as baby corn or green beans, then add them when the chicken is half cooked.
15
Photo by Parrot of Doom CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Birmingham A Postcard from
In medieval times Birmingham was a medium sized market town which came to world prominence with the Industrial Revolution. Today, it’s the UK’s most populated and largest city after London.
Home to the world-famous City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the Birmingham Royal Ballet, the iconic Library of Birmingham and the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, six universities, a rich sporting heritage and a thriving jewellery industry, Birmingham is high on the agenda for both business and leisure visitors.
If you’re after diamonds and gold, The Jewellery Quarter, which produces 40% of the UK’s jewellery, has enough diamond rings and tokens of love to rival Hatton Garden!
Photo by Mauro Cateb CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
With specialist crafts people and workshops, you’re in the right place for commissioning a unique piece or buying over the counter at a very reasonable price. There’s also a thriving art scene with galleries, fashion specialists, weddings shops, bars and restaurants. If you fancy your food served with live music, Jools Holland’s legendary Jam House offers a fun and fabulous experience. Located in the heart of the Jewellery Quarter, the three storey Georgian building creates an intimate atmosphere for live music with an ‘unplugged’ feel and simple theatrical lighting focussing on the artist. A menu to suit all occasions, from canapés and bowl food to formal dining is also available. With an over 21s policy and a dress code creating a relaxed, sophisticated atmosphere, it’s an impressive night out for entertaining business clients, company celebrations, a family get together or a friends gathering.
Photo by Tony Hisgett CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Birmingham is bursting with iconic landmark buildings and with the City’s industry as the inspiration, award-winning London Gherkin architect Ken Shuttleworth created a jewelled vision with The Cube. The exterior of the 25 floor multi-use building depicts the heavy industry of the City (car plants and metal plate works) while the interior reflects the jewellery side and is complemented with bronze sculptures by renowned local street artist, Temper. Head to the very top and you’re spoilt with not just city rooftop views but a choice of six restaurants and bars, all offering something distinctly different; a champagne afternoon tea, an exclusive whisky bar, crowd pleasing Italian dishes, Brazilian style grilled meats, noodles and sushi.
01775 843413
Lines open Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 5.30pm
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Photo by Wehwalt CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
For industrial heritage, inspiration and invention it probably doesn’t get more impressive than Soho House! Imagine belonging to a dinner club, debating ideas, inventions and information to change the world with fellow diners Josiah Wedgewood, Erasmus Darwin (grandfather of Charles) and clockmaker and scientist John Whitehurst. Soho House was home to the host of these dinner dates, industrialist and entrepreneur Matthew Boulton. Today the house is a hidden gem of a museum beautifully capturing the bygone era with fashions and tastes from the late Georgian period and products from Boulton’s factory, where with James Watt, he developed the steam engine. With a choice of theatres and arenas, live entertainment is never a struggle. Head to the Hippodrome, home to the Birmingham Royal Ballet, big musical touring productions, opera and pantomime. The former home of the D’oyly Carte Opera Company, the New Alexandra Theatre has a programme of large scale productions such as Oliver! and Les Miserables while Birmingham Rep is the country’s longest established building-based theatre company which has a focus on new writings, with many of the Rep’s productions going on to tour nationally and internationally. For music, comedy, sports and live performance, Arena Birmingham and the Genting Arena deliver a great night out.
Attracting visitors from all over the world, Bullring Birmingham offers a combination of shopping experiences. Bull Ring Indoor Market is one of the UK’s largest fish markets, also selling poultry and meat, exotic fruit and veg and household goods. The world famous Bull Ring Rag Market is for fashion and fabrics with the Open Market providing more fruit, veg and seasonal produce.
For an award-winning shopping experience Selfridges is your destination. Housed in the dramatic landmark building most people instantly identify with the city, the store has won numerous awards for architecture and as a shopping destination. Designed by Future Systems, the outside of the building is based on a Paco Rabanne sequinned dress with 15,000 shiny discs cladding the building, which cost £60 million and covers an area of 25,000 square meters.
Whether business or leisure, you’ll never be lost for somewhere to go or something to do in Britain’s second largest city.
Hotel Ibis Styles Birmingham Centre
Cobden Hotel Birmingham
Radisson Blu Hotel Birmingham
Find your Birmingham break here >>
01775 843413
Lines open Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 5.30pm
19
Mercure Leicester The Grand Hotel Leicester, Leicestershire LE1 6ES
From
£75
01775 843413
Lines open Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 5.30pm
This grand Victorian hotel is just a half mile from Highcross Leicester Shopping Centre and the famous Asian restaurants of London Road. It’s very close for De Montfort University and the Cultural Quarter, which is only a two minute walk. All en-suite rooms offer flat screen TV with on demand movies, free WiFi, toiletries and a hospitality tray. On-site parking is also available. The impressive building, which retains many original features, including a grand, sweeping staircase and ornate chandeliers, has a Marco’s New York Italian Restaurant and the lounge bar serves light meals and coffees.
120 Spaces On-site
20
FREE WiFi
Restaurant
Bar
Wedding Receptions
Private Parties
24hr Reception
Check In 2.00pm
Check Out 12.00pm
“Comfortable beds, nice bar and great character but the thing that really makes this place is the staff.” Taken from a Trip Advisor review.
Bell at Boxford Newbury, Berkshire RG20 8DD
“Olde worldly, good food, good service, great pizza, a bar with atmosphere.” Taken from a recent Trip Advisor review.
Close to Reading and Swindon and just four miles from Newbury, the Bell at Boxford offers traditionally styled en-suite rooms with flat screen TV, DVD player, hospitality tray and ironing facilities plus award-winning food, complimentary WiFi and free on-site parking. A bar and bistro style menu makes the most of seasonal, local produce, serving seafood, pizzas and traditional British dishes. An a la carte menu is also available, as well as a good wine list and real ales.
From
£60
£80
01775 01775843413 843413
Lines Linesopen openMonday MondaytotoFriday, Friday,9.00am 9.00am- -5.30pm 5.30pm
Sunday Special Offer More Details >> 35 Spaces On-site
FREE WiFi
Restaurant & Catering
Bar
Wedding Receptions
Private Parties
Pool Tables
Check In 1.00pm
Check Out 10.30am
Monday Night Special Offer More Details >>
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Special Offers
Village Hotel Birmingham Walsall West Midlands
Up to £25 off
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Christmas in Cumbria
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Innkeepers Lodge Birmingham-Nec, Meriden Warwickshire Save up to £25 per night
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Skelwith Bridge Hotel Cumbria
Headingley Lodge Hotel Yorkshire
Discounted breaks
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01775 843413
Lines open Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 5.30pm
22
Langstone Cliff Hotel Devon
Two night stay B&B, afternoon tea & drink plus an evening meal
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Deans Place Hotel East Sussex
Four packages available until the end of 2017
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Special Offers
Audleys Wood Hotel Hampshire
Three nights for the price of two
Rhinefield House Hotel Hampshire
Three nights for the price of two
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Royal Ettrick Hotel
Sunday & Monday night special offers
Save up to £80
Midlothian
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01775 843413
Lines open Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 5.30pm
Surrey
Festive getaway package
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Bell at Boxford Berkshire
Barnett Hill
Innkeepers Lodge Basingstoke - The Beach Arms Hampshire Book early & save
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Serviced Apartments
Cost effective, comfortable and with everything you need to create that home from home environment, serviced apartments are fabulous when you’re looking for a place to stay, not just sleep. Fully equipped kitchens, living rooms and with generally more space than a hotel room, serviced apartments combine the best of hotel service (laundry, cleaning, security, concierge) with the freedom and relaxation of home, and they’re not just for long-term stays either. Working weeks in the city or weekend leisure stays are perfectly at home in a serviced apartment. 24
Waterside Serviced Rooms, Cottages & Apartments Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4NF
Oxford 01775 843413
Lines open Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 5.30pm
25
Lincoln Self Catering Lincoln, Lincolnshire LN1 1QF
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Lincoln
Liverpool
The Block Liverpool Liverpool, Merseyside L3 4FP
01775 843413
Lines open Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 5.30pm
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Manchester Apg Aparthotel
Manchester, Gtr Manchester M5 4SU
Approved Serviced Apartments Manchester, Gtr Manchester M1 5BY
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Citysuites
Manchester, Gtr Manchester M3 7NF
01775 843413
Lines open Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 5.30pm
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Cardiff A Space in the City - Serviced Apartments
Century Wharf, Cardiff, South Glamorgan CF10 5NZ
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A Space in the City - Serviced Apartments
Quayside, Cardiff, South Glamorgan CF10 5BN
01775 843413
Lines open Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 5.30pm
31
Running Horse Inn Hampshire
Specialising in pubs and inns with character and charm, the Upham Group offers a collection of predominantly countryside locations in the South of England. Relaxing and welcoming with fabulous food and service, there’s a choice of 13 pubs and inns providing modern accommodation.
Station House Surrey
The Hawk Inn Hampshire
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White Hart Hotel Hampshire
The Navigator Hampshire
Peat Spade Inn Hampshire
George Inn Wiltshire
01775 843413
Lines open Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 5.30pm
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Country Accommodation
Half-term
City Adventures
Coastal Accommodation
Seaside Fun
Half-term
Countryside Capers City Accommodation
Half-term