What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 23 April 2018

Welcome to another week and although we missed posting last week, we must first give a shout out to the amazing Powerscourt who kindly hosted us last weekend on a brilliant fam.

Despite the "soft" weather all weekend it was a real pleasure to experience this fabulous estate around half an hour outside of Dublin. The mist sadly prevented a good look at the Sugar Loaf Mountain or the Guinness Lake, but Orange Works who looked after us spectacularly took us to see Irelands biggest waterfall - and I can honestly report that I have never drink gin in the rain before! I

The hotel is wonderful and welcoming with great staff and even better surroundings - the spa is spacious, calming and a real place to relax and the rooms, even at entry level are vast.

Perhaps the biggest star of the show is the food though which is fabulous. From McGills bar to the sumptuous restaurant, the menus are vast and the choices enough to even the most picky of customers.

We were lucky enough to experience dessert at the Chefs table in the heart of the kitchen and what a well oiled and frantic machine this is. Amazing precision and passion and a real treat to see how much hard work goes on behind the scenes.

If you have an excuse to head to Ireland or a client looking for luxury then make sure Powerscourt is on your radar.

This coming week whilst the weather might be better, it's the M62 corridor that beckons and we are starting in Leeds with the CHS Show at the First Direct Arena. From here it's a series of client visits in Manchester and the the Millennium Showcase at the Copthorne Hotel.

Have a great week everyone!

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 9 April 2018

Welcome to another week is a #famtastic one for Cloud 9 as we're off to Aintree with Accor Hotels on Thursday for the start of the Grand National Festival. We're staying at the Mercure at Haydock and then its time to adorn our finery as we enjoy the first day of the races with a chance to see the course up close and personal.

This of course has been an excuse to dig out  a rather lovely posh frock and although Aintree is a spectacle of colour throughout the year, with many using their trip to the racecourse as an opportunity to showcase their favourite race day outfits, hats are optional too, but are frequently worn but we think its fascinator time. 

Sports clothes and fancy dress are not permitted for The Randox Health Grand National Festival not that we were considering this an option!

It's a good job we are not at Windsor where there is a far stricter regime when it comes to Race Days.

The Club Enclosure which has prime position next to the winning post and has a dedicated big screen for all the racing action, it's a smart dress code in the Club Enclosure. Smart jeans (no rips, tears or fraying) are acceptable as are smart tailored shorts, but t-shirts, sports attire, cargo style shorts and trainers are not permitted. Additionally they do ask that men wear a collared shirt. Smart sandals for ladies are permitted however beach style flip flops are not so style over comfort here!

If you are lucky enough to attend Royal Ascot then look out - they have their very own style guide!

In 2017, Royal Ascot successfully welcomed the jumpsuit as an acceptable item of clothing for the Royal Enclosure. Ascot continues to recognise key trends in the ever-evolving world of fashion. Additions to the of official dress code in 2018 makes socks a requirement for gentlemen and specific necklines detailed as acceptable, or not, across all Enclosures.

The dress code is traditional, woven into the very fabric of our history. It was Beau Brummell, perhaps Britain’s  first fashion icon, who at the turn of the 19th century dictated the dress for men in the Royal Enclosure. His sense of style is still reflected in Royal Ascot fashions today.

Ladies are kindly reminded that formal daywear is a requirement in the Royal Enclosure, defined as follows:

• Dresses and skirts should be of modest length de ned as falling just above the knee or longer.

• Dresses and tops should have straps of one inch or greater.

• Jackets and pashminas may be worn but dresses and tops underneath should still comply with the Royal Enclosure dress code.

• Trouser suits are welcome. They should be of full length to the ankle and of matching material and colour.

• Jumpsuits are welcome. They should be of full-length to the ankle, with regulations matching that for dresses.

• Hats should be worn; however a headpiece which has a solid base of 4 inches (10cm) or more in diameter is acceptable as an alternative to a hat.

Ladies are kindly asked to note the following:

• Strapless, off  the shoulder, halter neck and spaghetti straps are not permitted.

• Midriffs must be covered.

• Fascinators are not permitted; neither are headpieces which do not have a solid base covering a sufficient area of the head (4 inches/10cm).

Girls (aged 10-17) should dress in accordance with the Ladies’ dress code. However, they may wear a headpiece or fascinator as an alternative to a hat, without any size restriction. 

Overseas visitors are welcome to wear the formal National Dress of their country or Service Dress. Serving military personnel are welcome to wear Service Dress or equivalent. Please note that fancy dress, novelty and branded/promotional clothing are not allowed on site.

Overseas visitors are welcome to wear the formal National Dress of their country or Service Dress.

Serving military personnel are welcome to wear Service Dress or equivalent.

I think the fascinator is safe at Aintree though!

From there we're off to Ireland with the lovely Powerscourt Estate.The Great Sugar Loaf Mountain is visible across the valley, between the tall elegant beech trees.  The avenue slopes down, through woodland, before revealing the Palladian elegance of Powerscourt Hotel Resort & Spa, with its breathtaking views. 

Located on the famous Powerscourt Estate, one of Ireland's finest estates, with its historic house, beautifully manicured garden and its waterfall, the highest in Ireland, you may be just half an hour from Dublin but it could be a million miles away. 

Outstanding among luxury five star hotels in Ireland and set amidst one of the most scenic and historic estates in the country is Powerscourt Hotel, a 194-room resort showcasing Palladian-style architecture and offering guests a host of amenities. Recently named AA Hotel of the Year, two championship golf courses, a 30,000-square foot luxury spa by ESPA, a signature restaurant and traditional Irish pub are among this luxury hotel’s distinctive attractions.

Powerscourt Hotel Resort & Spa's Palladian design forms a majestic crescent on the side of one of Ireland's most celebrated valleys.  The layout of the seven-storey hotel gives a lot of our rooms and suites views of the remarkable Sugar Loaf Mountain.

Whether you are planning a sensational spa weekend with friends, are an avid golf enthusiast looking to play our prestigious fairways, a food fanatic in search of a fine dining experience, or are travelling for business, as a member of the Autograph Collection we offer a five star, one-of-a-kind destination for guests of all type.

We're looking forward to this immensely - so have a great week everyone! 

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 3 April 2018

Welcome to another week and we hope everyone had a good Easter - April already, wow, where is the year going - and without wanting to invite anyone to lambast us, did you know that as of today there are only 266 days to Christmas....

Take out weekends and the remaining Bank Holidays and the Festive Season will be upon us before you know it. So time to book that Corporate Christmas Party.

Seriously, if you want to secure the date you want, at the venue you want, then now is the time to get it booked or at least ask us to research the options.

Our Free Venue Finding Service is on standby and ready to help, so forget Santa's little helper, ask the experts instead and either call us on +44 )115 9333811 or email janet@cloud9em.co.uk, she is standing by and ready to help.

We would have popped in Carol's email but that seemed a little corny - Christmas Carol....

Oh well, we thought it was funny.

Have a great week everyone!