Epoque Hotels News

November 27, 2006

The Zetter Hotel in Clerkenwell was last night awarded Best Small Hotel at the Visit London Awards 2006 sponsored by Eurostar, beating 5 prestige hotels in the same category.

Attended by over 800 in the tourism and leisure industry, the awards showcase the best London has to offer across entertainment, restaurants and hotels. The Zetter was singled out for its style, comfort and ‘quirky personality’ as well as its strong environmental credentials. Based on the comments of the judging panel, the Project Manager wrote the following:
 
“…Clerkenwell may not be the first place that springs to mind for tourists or business travellers looking for somewhere to stay in London, but The Zetter Hotel is set to change all that.  With close links with the local community (for example, displaying the work of local artists and designers in the hotel) and strong environmental credentials (the hotel even has its own bore hole and uses the water for drinking and to air-condition rooms) the Zetter is an exceptional all-rounder and our clear Gold winner.”

Visit London’s Chief Executive, James Bidwell, also commented on the Zetter:
 
“The Zetter is innovative, creative and different. Close community engagement, great design and architecture, and an ethos which revolves around its customers, mark this hotel out from the crowd. A fitting and deserving Visit London award winner for 2006.”
The hotel opened in spring of 2004 in the Grade II listed, 19th century warehouse formally, the Zetter football pools building on Clerkenwell Road. It was immediately added to Conde Nast Traveller’s, Hot list of 50 coolest hotels in the world and European Hotel Design award for Best New Hotel & Best Design.
Mark Sainsbury, co-owner of the hotel said: "It’s fantastic to have been given this accolade. The Zetter has always set out to be stylish and technologically innovative, whilst keeping room prices down. London is very good at doing expensive hotels but desperately needs more value-driven options that have character.”


Editors Notes:
 Visit London is the official visitor organisation for the capital. Their aim is to promote London as the world’s most exciting city by marketing to domestic and overseas leisure and business visitors, as well as Londoners themselves. Visit London is a partnership organisation which also acts as a voice for London tourism industry.
The Zetter Hotel is independently owned by Mark Sainsbury and Michael Benyan. The architects behind the project were Chetwood Associates, who work on environmentally conscious projects, while Precious McBane designed the interiors.

The Zetter Hotel, St John’s Square, 86-88 Clerkenwell Road, EC1M 5RJ.

Click here to check The Zetter Hotel in London 

November 27, 2006

Mrs Barbara Bush stayed at Relais Vila Matilde during the Winter Olympics in Turin, that took place last February.

In the following picture, the owner of the hotel, Matilde Salvo, is seen next to her.

To find more information about Relais Vila Matilde in Romano Canavese (Turin), please click here. 

November 27, 2006

The first sound you hear as you drive into Las Alamandas is the soft spray of sprinklers on brilliant palm-studded lawns that roll right up to the Pacific Ocean.

And the first thing you see is a blaze of Mexican pink on sun-drenched adobe walls. Las Alamandas is the ideal hideaway for seekers of beauty and the privacy of endless broad white sand beaches where the only footprints are your own. Serenity is the keynote. There are no discotheques, no jet-skis to disturb the harmony of nature.

Las Alamandas, completed in 1990, is a very exclusive, small and romantic resort on the Mexican Riviera.  It’s a 1,500-acre private paradise of exotic trees, palms, beautiful beaches, flowers, wild birds and lagoons.

The resort also features its own asphalt landing airstrip (3,300 feet in length) capable of accommodating small aircraft such as a Lear Jet 28, a King Air turbo Prop, etc. Landing arrangements must be made in advance through the reservations office at the time of booking.

Las Alamandas is the perfect romantic getaway for honeymooners beginning their lives together, as well as for couples celebrating an anniversary or kindling (or rekindling) a romance. You might even decide to get married at Las Alamandas!  If you do fancy a ceremony under the palms, let us know and we will be happy to assist with arrangements.

Las Alamandas is located 2 hours south of Puerto Vallarta and an hour and 45 minutes north of Manzanillo. Transportation by privately chauffeured car can be arranged to and from both airports.

For more information related to Hotel Las Alamandas, Alamandas (Mexico), please click here.

November 22, 2006

Check the six properties which special promotions where featured in the Mid-November newsletter by clicking here, and subscribe to our newsletters by clicking here.

The six properties featured this month are:

The Beaufort Knightsbridge Hotel, London (Hotel of The Month)
Villa Sassa, Lugano
Golden Apple Boutique Hotel, Moscow
Villa Rolandi Hotel, Isla Mujeres
Hotel Lopez de Haro, Bilbao
Hotel de la Jatte, Paris

November 17, 2006

Well it's official: the deep dark winter is finally upon us. But don't let seasonal sadness get you down - The Zetter Restaurant & Bar has some seriously heartwarming happenings to ward off those winter chills....


NEW COCKTAIL LIST:

Yes, our beloved mixologist, Federico, has done it again and come up with a spicy, fruity and, dare we say it, rather sexy, winter cocktail collection. Here's a sneak preview of what's on offer:

Cosi Fan Tutti: Cointreau & fresh cranberry juice, topped with Prosecco.

Red Hot Chilli Zetter: Wyborowa vodka, peach liqueur & white peach puree diffused with soda & charged with red chilli.

Amore (Don't Go Changing): Havana Especial & Amaretto shaken with lychee, raspberry & apple juice, served tall.

Cocolada: The original Pina Colada gets a tasty makeover with the addition of Bacardi 8 and Frangelico.


NEW BAR MENU:

And what better to accompany a new cocktail list than a selection of gorgeous bar snacks and tapas created by our head chef, Diego?

Specially designed to keep those winter hunger pangs at bay, our new selection includes everything from dainty nibbles, to a choice of the very finest charcuterie and cheeses, to scrumptious individual small dishes such as Spicy Squid & Bean Salad (£3.75), House Cured Salmon & Pumpkin Blinis (£4.50) and Foie Gras Terrine with Quince (£5.50). Yum.


NEW SUNDAY SUPS OFFER:

As the winter nights draw in, why not cosy up with some delicious, casual comfort food on a Sunday evening? We're now offering a new fixed price menu (available Sunday evenings only) that comprises one glass of red or white wine, a plate of pasta or risotto and any tea or coffee for just £13.50 per person.

It's a bargain - and just the thing to fight off those Sunday night blues!


The Zetter
St John’s Square 86-88 Clerkenwell Road London EC1M 5RJ
Restaurant reservations: 020 7324 4455

November 14, 2006

The good work of Hospes Hotels & Moments has led to it obtaining international recognition in a week when the group has won several of the most important international prizes awarded by professionals from the hotel sector.

On Monday November 6 last, hotel Hospes Amérigo*****, based in Alicante, was awarded the distinction “Most Excellent European Hotel for Design & Innovation”, one of the Annual Distinctions for Excellence awarded by the group Condé Nast Johansens for 25 years now. The jury’s decision was published during the course of a dazzling gala dinner held in the Jumeirah Carlton Tower Hotel in London.

Hospes Palacio de los Patos*****, based in Granada, also won two prizes on Wednesday November 8, as part of the European Hotel Design Distinctions awarded at SLEEP 06 (http://www.sleepermagazine.co.uk/Sleep06/index.htm), an annual event that is attended by top professionals in international design. Hospes Palacio de los Patos won the star prize of the evening, the “2006 Hotel Design of the Year” award, and also the “Best Hotel Architecture” award in the “Conversion” category, in recognition for the best project for converting a building not originally intended to be a hotel into a top design hotel establishment. The prize-awarding ceremony was held at the Old Billingsgate Market in London.

Lastly, the Hospes Hotels & Moments group was a finalist in the categories “Best Customer Satifaction Programme” and “Best Social Responsability Programme” belonging to the Hospitality Awards (http://www.hospitalityawards.com/index_uk.asp), a series of annual distinctions granted on Thursday November 9 for the seventh year running, at a gala event held at the Hilton Arc du Triomphe Hotel in Paris. The first of these categories acknowledges the excellent work of Hospes, which is permanently geared towards exceeding the expectations of its customers. The second award, for the best social responsibility programme, is in recognition of the work carried out by Hospes since it was first set up, consisting of improving its social environment, in which the project Sueños, an initiative aimed at fostering the human and scientific values of dreams as a longing or desire and a physiological need, is a clear example.

These distinctions awarded to Hospes Hotels & Moments constitute a reward for its success in winning the trust of its guests and providing them with comfortable accommodation and revitalising experiences.

Furthermore, Hospes Hotels & Moments promotes the recovery of historic, cultural and architectural heritage in all the cities in which it has hotel establishments. Each of the Hospes establishments is set in a singular and unique neighbourhood, and housed in historic buildings that have been returned to their citizens thanks to the efforts of the architects and interior decorators belonging to the Hospes Design team. Each hotel offers the most select Senzone cuisine, based on the natural quality of the ingredients and local dishes, and Bodyna Spa, a full array of services based on natural therapies and products specially created to guarantee the wellbeing and relaxation of its clientele.

                Hospes Amerigo, Alicante                Hotel Palacio de Los Patos, Granada

November 13, 2006

This month Grand Hotel Central recommends in Barcelona,

Ramón Freixa proposes more than 29 new dishes in his surprising new menu for the Autumn at ACTUAL RESTAURANT & CAFÉ. As you may know, mushrooms are now in season and the new colours of autumn are all reflected in these new dishes for the winter season. Ramón suggests his “Roasted Aubergine, Sundried Tomato & Manchego Cheese Cannelloni”. We look forward to seeing you soon!

:: Reservations: Tel. +34 93 295 79 05


Have you thought about this Christmas?
Barcelona is a fabulous city to explore, especially at Christmas time. Only minutes from the hotel you can enjoy the Christmas lights, decorations and discover the traditional artisan markets, typical of this season. Don't miss the opportunity to invite your family or friends to celebrate Christmas at Grand Hotel Central.

Reserve an Executive room for 199 euros
& we will give you a complimentary Standard room!
:: More information and reservations


This year, Barcelona pays homage to its relationship with PICASSO. Among the many exhibits planned, do not miss “Picasso and the circus” exhibition at the Picasso Museum, 5 minutes walk from the hotel. This exhibition runs 16th November – 18th December.

:: www.museupicasso.bcn.es

November 13, 2006

The festive season starts early at base2stay!

base2stay is celebrating its very first Christmas and would like to offer all subscribers the following festive season specials:


Exclusive Shopping!

If you are staying at base2stay on 6th December 2006, you are entitled to an exclusive 20% discount card valid for both Trilogy and Secrets....shhh at the Christmas shopping event in Duke of York Square, Kings Road SW3, as part of the Sloane Association's yearly Sloane Christmas party in support of Macmillan Cancer Relief. The party begins at 17:00 on 6th December 2006.......

Join them for some champagne & single malt whisky!

Between 19th December 2006 and 2nd January 2007, you will find a complimentary 1/2 bottle of Laurent-Perrier champagne in every room (1/4 bottle in single rooms) and guests staying in superior or deluxe rooms will also enjoy a complimentary "wee laddie" bottle of the famous 10-year-old award winning Bruichladdich single malt whisky.

Sir John Mactaggart, Chairman of Western Heritable, the investment company behind base2stay, is also Chairman of Bruichladdich. Known as the Sophisticated Islay single malt owing to its subtle, complex and non-chill filtered, colour-free flavours, Bruichladdich is acknowledged as the purest malt in Scotland (The Scotch Whisky Directory 2005).

Rates from: £80.00 per room per night (including Vat)

Click here to check this hip hotel in London

November 02, 2006

Take advantage of our super discounted rates for this fine event at the Crest Hotel, which will take place in South Beach, on November 11th and 12th 2006.

Miami International Wine Fair is the Florida’s largest wine tradeshow. Its objective is to increase the number of wine producers to penetrate the America’s second largest and fastest growing market.

Click here to book Wine Fair Miami Special Rate of USD 119.00 per night at Crest Hotel, Miami Beach.

November 01, 2006

Every year, millions of Monarch Butterflies travel more than 3000 miles, from Canada to Michoacan, Mexico, to hibernate. After their arrival, around the first week of November, they stay for several months until they start their trip back north. During those months, visitors can enjoy this beautiful spectacle in the several sanctuaries established by the Mexican government and private enterprises to protect these unique insects.

If you are planning to check this event, we would recommend you stay at Hotel Mansion Iturbe, which is located miles away from the Monarch Butterflies' Sanctuaries and there is a special promotional rate for four nights USD 67.50 per night.

To check this hotel in Patzcuaro 's promotion, please click in this link.

For more information on Monarch Butterflies, please click in this link.