What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 19 May 2014

Welcome to yet another week at Cloud 9 Towers, and after a fun and fulfilling week last week, attending familiaristion trips, shows and exhibitions, we'd just like to thank everyone for their kind hospitality and introducing us to some lovely people!

We discovered a number of new and interesting venues from Universities to Hotels on the trips and to give you an idea on some of the few great, funky venues that are out there, we thought we'd list the top 10 best themed hotels around the world! (As a chocoholic, I'm sure you'll know which is Shannon's favourite!)

Last month, plans were unveiled for the world's first Ferrari Hotel, inside a theme park dedicated to the car brand, which will open in Barcelona in 2016. The hotel promises five-star luxury, with 250 rooms, a number of restaurants and a driving simulator. We wonder if the beds will be shaped like Ferrari Formula One cars and the alarm clocks will sound like the exhaust note from a 458 Italia Speciale?!

If you fancy a journey into space, you could splurge on a journey with Virgin Galactic, but a considerably cheaper option would be a stay at Barcelona's Barceló Sants Hotel, which has been designed to resemble the inside of a space shuttle. Windows have been replaced with porthole-style bubbles containing images of outer space, the traditional reception area has been replaced by a 'boarding desk' and the two restaurants, Oxygen and Hydrogen, specialise in 'brain food' designed especially for astronauts.


However, most people go on break to relax, but if you're the kind of person who's rarely detached from their gadgets, the Sol Wave House might just be for you, because it's the world's first Twitter-themed hotel. There are two Twitter concierges whose services can be procured with a quick tweet, and by using the hashtag #SocialWave, guests can interact with each other and order room service. Just be aware that your nearest and dearest might quickly tire of tweets informing them how fab your hotel is while they're slogging it out back home!


If you're a chocoholic in need of a sugar fix, then you will love this quirky Hotel, where all of the rooms are inspired by different types of dessert! It's the only place where guests can doze off surrounded by murals depicting syrup sponge or spotted dick and custard, or recline on piles of chocolate-shaped cushions. Other perks include complimentary handmade chocolates and the chance to take part in dessert-themed cookery workshops, and chocolate is a staple of both the restaurant and bar menus.


 
Have you ever dreamed of sleeping on the forecourt of a petrol station or within the chassis of a supercar? If so, head to this car-themed Hotel in Germany, where guests will also find a large spa (or 'body tuning' department) and the enormous Motorworld car museum next door. 




Put on your sunglasses, because this Belgian Pantone Hotel is an explosion of colour. Here, it's all about the contrast: white walls provide a blank canvas against which the colours pop, and there are colour cards on the walls which provide an added insight into the trends relating to the shade in question. Everything from the coffee cups to the stationery has been colour-co-ordinated and even the toiletries are eye-wateringly bright!


One of the world's most bizarre theme hotels is the Cabbages and Condoms safe sex-themed resort in Thailand. There's an important message behind the unusual decor, which includes lampshades made from condoms and uniforms bearing safe sex slogans. The founders are keen to kerb the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and reduce unwanted pregnancies by hammering home the importance of safe sex, and a large chunk of the profits are donated to the Mechai Viravaidya Foundation, which supports underprivileged children from some of Thailand's poorest areas.


Rock and rollers will love Brighton's Hotel Pelirocco, which has 19 rooms dedicated to music greatness, including Let's Get It On, which has Motown murals on the wall, gold lamé curtains and a vintage record player (complete with a section of classic Motown records), and the Pressure Sounds room, which has Lee 'Scratch' Perry wallpaper, Rastafarian-themed decor and funky egg chairs.

Manga fans can pay homage to the literary art form at San Francisco's Hotel Tomo, the inspiration for which is Japanese comics. Quirky plastic characters can be found on bedside tables and desks, and framed manga prints adorn the walls. Guests will find bottles of sake in their rooms and the hotel is located in the middle of San Francisco's Japantown area, just a short walk from the city's main sights. 


Ancient Rome is the theme for this spectacular hotel, which has been modelled on the Colosseum. Expect beautiful mosaic flooring in the bathrooms, bedrooms with enormous walls murals depicting fighting gladiators, and a spa inspired by Roman baths. Guests arriving at the hotel are greeted by the sight of enormous marble horses and the hotel restaurant resembles an enormous medieval banqueting hall, the highlight of which is a beautiful wall mosaic depicting the last supper.

So that's it, some great themed Hotels, I'm sure you'd agree! Also, please don't forget to give us a shout about FUSE by Cloud 9, which is our FREE Venue Finding Service that goes an extra mile with other elements included at no cost, if you need help looking for that perfect venue! 

Have a great week folks!