What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 20 April 2015

Welcome to another week and today is the first day of National Stop Snoring Week, launched by the British Snoring and Sleep Apnoea Association to draw attention and raise awareness to solving a huge problem.

We all know how annoying it is, but it's solving it is not always so simple! So what is the cause of snoring?   Well, there are more reasons than you might realise.Eating too much, drinking a lot of alcohol and allergies can all irritate and block your nasal passage and airways.  For a full list of causes and more information, you can visit the National Stop Snoring Week site.

It's the bane of many a light sleeper. The unrelenting sound of someone clearly enjoying a deep slumber but, in the process, denying others the same luxury.

 

Back in 2011, six Crowne Plaza Hotels in Britain implemented snore patrols as well as trialling "snore absorption" in 10 hotels across Europe and the Middle East. Designated quiet zones in hotels in London, Leeds and Manchester had snore monitors patrolling the corridors.

Here at Cloud 9 Towers we are not sure just how successful all of the trials were, but certainly if you want to stay at the Crowne Plaza at the NEC in Birmingham, there is still a Snore Monitor available on the Quiet Zone floor of the hotel to ensure their guests get the best night’s sleep possible.  

The sound of snoring can be worse than a nightmare if you are trying to get a decent night’s sleep. Crowne Plaza Birmingham NEC have created a way that ensures that their guests are not disturbed by the snores coming from other rooms, as a way of enhancing the fantastic Sleep Advantage programme they already offer.   

The Sleep Advantage programme combines superior comfort bedding and a guaranteed wake up call with the quiet zone, where no housekeeping or engineering works will take place between 9pm and 10am on Sundays to Thursdays and the ‘This Works’ aromatherapy kit to help clear your head and counter physical and mental fatigue. 

The job of the Snore Monitor is to check snore decibels coming from guests’ rooms. If they reach over 100* decibels then a polite knock on door is deemed necessary to inform the guest that their snores have reached such a level that they may disturb other guests.   

The Royal National Institute for Deaf people say that a normal snore creates between 50 and 100 decibels, the new Snore Monitor at Crowne Plaza will ensure snores reaching over 100 decibels are monitored to ensure guests are not disturbed.   

The Snore Monitor at Crowne Plaza Birmingham NEC Hotel said “Guest sleep satisfaction is paramount at Crowne Plaza and this new way of ensuring they get the best night’s sleep possible is fantastic. I think of my job as the next level in customer service, looking after guest’s needs whilst they sleep.” 

Trip Advisor is littered with comments from disgruntled guests who have slept in rooms all over the world and been disturbed by other guests in adjacent rooms whose snoring is excessive. But what can you do?

Well, all we can really suggest here is to maybe invest in an Anti Snoring Pillow. Lots of hotels have pillow menus these days and whilst we rarely see an Anti Snoring one, you will probably find one a decent investment. 

For example, the Hotel Collection Anti-Snore pillow. This ultimate snore-relief pillow helps to open up the airway by supporting the head and neck, therefore encouraging better breathing and reduced snoring whilst you sleep. Filled with a foam core, surrounded by soft hollow fibre, covered in smooth polycotton casing. 

And if all else fails, you can always look at sleeping somewhere really remote where you are unlikely to disturb anyone else!

Have a great and hopefully, snore free week! 

 

What's Floating Around? 4 August 2014

Welcome to another week and as the deadline for one of our awards has approached, we're rather busy here at Cloud 9 Towers. Although, we're not sure why we stick to a deadline... you should hear some of the calls we receive!

After our blog last week, about the rather interesting Maiden Voyage concept, we thought that this week we would excite you with the recent industry news and a few of the new event spaces in the UK.

Starting with the East Midlands, The St James Hotel, formerly the Rutland Square hotel, has launched in Nottingham's historic castle quarter after a complete re branding and refurbishment. The boutique hotel officially opened on the 23 July, having been purchased a year before.

The public areas have been totally transformed into grand, yet contemporary spaces, with dazzling chandeliers, restored pink marble floors, and sumptuous furnishings. The hotel's lounge and bar, 'No6', is a warm and inviting space with an exciting cocktail list, regular events and a library wall of over four hundred books. 

The hotel is unique in Nottingham for its art collection which is focused on work from local young artists. The hotel has its own gallery, which will have regular events showcasing the best of breakthrough talent. 

The hotel also has several refurbished event spaces. The largest of which can cater for two hundred guests. These rooms have stunning views over Nottingham Castle and are the ideal venue for weddings, product launches or conferences.

As the largest independent boutique hotel in Nottingham, The St James is sure to set the standards for style and service.

Moving to the West Midlands, we have The Vox, which the ICC Birmingham are set to open in Birmingham mid-2015. The Vox represents a new world of conferencing - a unique and attractive offering for the conference market, not only providing innovative conference facilities and event expertise, but its location within an integrated comples also offers clients access to a huge choice of restaurants, bars, shops, a hotel, spa, cinema and casino all under one roof. This new proposition, never seen before in the UK, offers a fresh approach for those wanting an end to end conference experience. 

The Vox Suites 1-5 will provide fully flexible conference and banqueting space that can be combined or divided to create several multi-functional areas to suit individual event requirements. The unique layout of the Vox can accommodate any type of event from a small seminar or meeting for just a few people, to a banquet for 850 or a conference for 900 delegates.

The new state-of-the-art conference facilities will include plug and play technology from the event industry's most respected brands, together with complimentary delegate Wi-Fi. An audio visual, sound, lighting and crew package will be included in the quoted cost for conferences, adding extra value for the client. A media wall and digital signage will also be available for use to support the delegate experience at the Vox. 

The Vox is the perfect choice for those looking for an impressive but affordable venue in contemporary surroundings, with premium catering, the latest technology and an experienced team, in a central location.

Heading further South, The Roundhouse has announced the opening of a brand new rooftop event space, ideal for summer parties.

Overlooking Camden beach, the new venue offers room for up to 120 guests. The roof garden comes complete with trees, sun loungers, sofas, a private bar, television and sound system, panoramic views and a swimming pool.

An all inclusive party package is available at the rooftop venue, incorporating exclusive access, a Prosecco and canape reception, fish and chip supper, event host, security, unlimited wine, beer, soft drinks and popcorn and towel hire. 

In addition to the roof garden, Camden's Roundhouse offers a range of spaces ideal for corporate and private events. The famous Main Space can accommodate up to 1,800 guests, whilst the venue's two bars, The Circle Bar and Torquil's Bar, offer room for up to 120 guests.

Again in London, the Royal Society have unveiled its newest event spaces for this

September. The Library Suite is a stunning set of rooms which bring grandeur and elegance to very special events.

Revealed behind the magnificent doors, the Library is a breath-taking room which exudes glamour and sophistication. With is intricate features and fabulous natural light, this show-stopping space is the perfect setting for an exquisite event, be it contemporary in design or classically stylish. 

Overlooking the Mall and St James's Park, the Royal Society is a prestigious venue which offers a unique insight into the world of scientific discovery and the opportunity to create an outstanding, inspirational event.

Knowledgeable, energetic and passionate, our conference services team dedicates every minute of the working day to creating flawless events. 

Another London venue, The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre (QEIICC) have announced they are having extensive refurbishment programme to re-establish the Centre's 'wow factor'. 

The ambitious programme of capital works will provide aesthetic and visual improvements and enhanced facilities to the building and facility environment. The improvements are focused on enhancing the customer experience and will create more modern, quality and stylish environment and improve way finding. These works will have a significant impact on improving user and visitor perceptions whilst stimulating client interest and business generation. 

The programme will include;

• Sanctuary Foyer - Comprehensive refurbishment of the main entrance foyer, reception and registration areas to deliver a modern, high quality and welcoming environment that will "wow" delegates. Works will cover; ceilings, lighting, furniture, floor surfaces, layout and configuration, business centre and the establishment of an executive lounge/cafe.
• Connectivity - improved connectivity between the ground floor and 1st floor for Churchill Auditorium focused events which will involve replacing the staircase and improving the route to the Pickwick Suite (the principle break out area) as well as expanding its overall area and delegate capacity.
• Floor surfaces - Replacement of all carpeted floor surfaces across the Centre.
• Furniture - Replacement of the Centre's conference chairs and conference tables.

The Centre will close during late July and August - with all works being completed by early September 2014. 

Also, on top of all this exciting news, Marriott International have announced plans to add more than 200 luxury and lifestyles hotels to its global portfolio over the next 3 years! 

So... we think we have bombarded you with enough industry news for this week. 

Have a great week folks!